Ann Blandford
Ann Blandford, Professor of Human–Computer Interaction, UCL
Ann Blandford is Professor of Human–Computer Interaction at University College London. She has been studying the use and usability of interactive healthcare systems – medical devices and online information resources – since 2000. Her research focuses on patient safety and user experience. She has been awarded grants totalling about £7M for research into interactive systems in healthcare from EPSRC, ESRC, MRC and the Royal Society. She is currently Principal Investigator on an EPSRC Programme grant, CHI+MED (www.chi-med.ac.uk), on designing safer technology in healthcare. Themes within this programme of work include: understanding data entry; understanding normal use of medical devices; from a blame culture to a learning culture; and tools and methods for regulators, developers, etc. As well as hospital studies, the theme of “understanding normal use” has included extensive studies of the use of medical devices in the home and while on the move, including home hemodialysis, diabetes management and apps for remembering medication.
Professor Blandford has published widely on the safety of interactive health technologies, on how technology can better support people’s information needs, and on modelling situated interactions. This includes 170 papers published in international peer reviewed journals and conferences as well as maintaining a blog (http://hciss.blogspot.co.uk/) and the occasional use of video (e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8o2ds5ZrV8) and other media.