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HCI/CS Graduate Student Positions in Assistive Technologies for Ageing
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The Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab (TAGlab) of the University of 
Toronto seeks outstanding talent looking for an innovative and rewarding 
environment for Computer Science graduate studies (MSc or PhD) beginning 
in Fall 2015. Students with a relevant undergraduate degree and a strong 
research orientation are encouraged to apply.

We are interested in independent and innovative people to do one or both 
of the following: build real systems, and/or carry out user-sensitive 
field research. Written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills 
are essential. Experience in human-computer interaction (including 
mobile or speech- and gesture-based interactions), and in working with 
seniors and/or individuals with special needs, would be helpful.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Candidates interested in joining the TAGlab should contact Annette 
Mayer, TAGlab's Assistant Director, at [log in to unmask]

All candidates must meet the Department of Computer Science's admission 
requirements (although there is flexibility in the case of candidates 
with extraordinary achievement or potential) and are subject to 
available funding. Application procedures and forms may be found at 
http://web.cs.toronto.edu/program/prospective_gradwhy/Prospective.htm. 
Dec. 17th is the deadline for students wishing to begin their studies in 
September 2015. All admitted students receive research assistantship 
funding and are eligible for teaching assistantships.

TAGLAB

TAGlab was founded by Professor Ron Baecker. He is a SIGGRAPH Computer 
Graphics Pioneer, a member of the CHI Academy, an ACM Fellow, and a 
recipient of both the Canadian Human Computer Communications Society 
Achievement Award and the Canadian Digital Media Pioneer Awards. He is 
also Editor of the Synthesis Lectures on Assistive, Rehabilitative, & 
Health-preserving Technologies (Morgan & Claypool).

Working at the intersection of interactive technologies and ageing, 
TAGlab designs aids, systems, and experiences that support ageing 
throughout the life course with the goal of fostering community, 
identity, and autonomy for our users. We are comprised of computer 
scientists, social scientists, designers, and health care professionals. 
Together, we conduct in-depth research on the social contexts of ageing, 
using social science methods to develop rich understandings of how we 
age, the factors that affect that process, and how technological 
advances can be used to improve quality of life. We then conceive, 
design, develop, deploy, test, and where possible commercialize 
innovative technologies.

A detailed list of our publications and current projects is found at: 
http://taglab.utoronto.ca

Current and upcoming projects will likely focus on (depending upon 
funding):
* Technologies to address social isolation and loneliness
* Novel eBook technologies for reading together
* Software for enabling online randomized controlled trials
* Worldwide construction of family multimedia histories
* Trust and selective disclosure in sensitive information health sites
* Novel environments for collaborative gaming with social interaction
* Making the internet more secure for seniors.

TAGlab is led by Baecker and associate directors computer scientist 
Prof. Cosmin Munteanu and sociologist Dr. Barbara Barbosa Neves. 
Collectively, they have been studying, designing, and building novel 
interactive technologies for almost 80 years. Their combined research 
interests include assistive technologies, social media to combat social 
isolation and loneliness among older adults, speech and natural language 
interaction for mobile devices, mixed reality systems, learning support, 
usable cyber-security for seniors, sociology of technology, social 
connectedness, active aging, social inclusion, social capital, and 
social research methods.

RESEARCH IN HCI AND IN HEALTH AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AT THE 
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

UofT CS HCI faculty work in ubiquitous & pervasive computing, 
development models for interactive systems, novel interaction 
techniques, high-performance input sensing & architectures, information 
visualization, empirical evaluation of user interfaces, and seniors’ and 
accessible technologies. Research is conducted within the Dynamic 
Graphics Project (DGP) lab and TAGlab.

Reflecting the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the field, TAGlab 
collaborates with CS colleagues in HCI, AI, vision, and CL; and in other 
disciplines dealing with information technology and the social and 
behavioural sciences. Students at TAGlab can also take advantage of 
other leading groups working in assistive technology and universal 
design in Toronto, such as the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, the 
Inclusive Design Institute at OCAD University, the Inclusive Media & 
Design Centre at Ryerson University, and several research-focused 
hospitals, geriatric centres, and seniors’ care environments.

TORONTO

Toronto is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city, filled with 
films, theatre, music of all kinds, and fine food. It is safe and has 
excellent publicly-supported health care and transit.


-- 
Dr. Cosmin Munteanu
   Assistant Professor
     Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, 
University of Toronto at Mississauga
   Associate Director
     Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab, Department of Computer 
Science, University of Toronto

Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone:  905-569-4294 (ICCIT), 416-978-3778 (TAGlab)
Web: http://cosmin.taglab.ca