HAII in Australia: Research Visit at ANU

From February to March 2026, Lisa Townsend visited the ANU Games Group at the School of Computing, where she was hosted by Prof. Penny Kyburz. The research stay offered the opportunity to engage with the group’s diverse range of research topics in human-computer interaction, including extended reality (XR) for health and wellbeing, human-AI teaming and human-robot interaction. These areas show strong overlap with HAII’s research focus on human-centered AI. In particular, ANU’s work on XR applications for therapeutic and physical health contexts aligns closely with Lisa’s research interests and ongoing directions at HAII, and plans for future collaborations are in the making.

During the visit, Lisa actively participated in weekly group meetings and ongoing research discussions. These sessions offered useful insights into how research is structured, supervised and discussed in a different academic context, and highlighted the group’s focus on iterative development, critical reflection, and collaborative exchange. Lisa also had the opportunity to present her ongoing work and receive valuable feedback throughout the visit. These weekly exchanges with PhD students and researchers provided valuable perspectives on feedback culture, research workflows, and collaborative practices.

The ANU campus, characterised by its open and green environment, also provided a setting that encourages informal exchange and discussion beyond formal meetings, supporting day-to-day collaboration within the group and fostering fruitful conversations during sunny lunch breaks or over coffee.

During her time in Australia, Lisa also visited several other research groups to broaden this perspective. In Canberra, she connected with additional labs at ANU and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), while in Brisbane she visited groups at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Queensland (UQ), which focus on XR research. These visits further enriched her understanding of the Australian research landscape and fostered strong additional connections within the HCI community.

Overall, the research stay contributes to strengthening international connections and supports the continued development of research perspectives at HAII. The contacts and insights gained during the visit provide a strong foundation for future collaboration and ongoing exchange with the HCI community in Australia.