Nikki Pfarr - Research

Research interests

I'm interested in understanding human behavior in order to develop solutions that will help people make better decisions and lead healthier lives.

How might human-robot and human-computer interactions encourage positive behavior change?
1	I'm interested in applications of behavioral economics to the design of human-computer and human-robot interactions, in order to catalyze positive behavior change at both individual and community levels. How can we incorporate emotions and irrationality into models of human behavior? How might this change the way we design human interactions with robots and technology? What barriers prevent the adoption of sustainable technologies, healthy behavior, and solutions designed to help people make better decisions? How do those manifest at individual/agent, local system, and global system levels? How can we design systems that help people make better decisions (related to healthcare, sustainability, etc.)?
2	I'm interested in the social and emotional qualities of human-computer and human-robot interaction, and their ability to a change a user's behavior. What are the requirements for a satisfying social interaction? How do trust and accountability manifest in long-term human-technology relationships? How might interactions lead to recurring enjoyment that does not dissipate over time?
3	I'm interested in the design of human-computer and human-robot interactions for people with limited cognitive or physical abilities (including cognitively-impaired populations, young children, and aging adults), as well as their medical providers and caretakers, who often make decisions on their behalf. What types of interactions are most successful in these scenarios? How might technology improve both individual and group decision-making?
How might design thinking and creativity be optimized within organizational contexts?
1	I’m interested in exploring the organizational structures, strategies, and tools that foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Which approaches are most appropriate for different types of organizations and cultural contexts? What are the benefits of and challenges to infusing design thinking into a workplace from the top-down versus from the bottom-up?
2	I’m interested in understanding decision-making in the human-centered design process, and the ways in which that decision-making might be optimized, particularly in organizational and group settings. How does the organization function as a collective entity at various levels and points in a process to promote or discard “innovative” ideas? How do group and cultural norms affect the way people perceive information in organizational settings and ultimately make decisions during the creative problem solving process?
3	I’m interested in workplace creativity mediated by engagement with technology. Are there certain types of technological interactions that facilitate creativity and innovation better than others? How might we use an understanding of creative problem solving behavior to develop tools and techniques that foster creativity and help designers make better decisions?