Ashratuz Zavin Asha
I am a third-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary. I work in the Interactions Lab (iLab) at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Inclusive Design. I am advised by Dr. Ehud Sharlin and Dr. Sharifa Sultana. Dr. Helen Ai He and Dr. Sowmya Somanath are also on my Ph.D. committee. My research aims to empower vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as women from the Global South and older adults, by enhancing their mobility and safety. Specifically, I design, implement, and evaluate human-machine interfaces to foster trust and acceptability towards emerging autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. My past projects explored the emerging new domain of interaction between pedestrians and AVs, with a strong focus on designing accessible interfaces for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians with reduced mobility, such as wheelchair users and those with hearing impairments.
I apply an inclusive and human-centred design approach leveraging mixed methods, including participatory designs (i.e., co-design), in-depth interviews, focus groups followed by design evaluations, and user studies. I use augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) environments to create and assess proof-of-concept interface prototypes. My research works have been published in top venues like CHI, DIS, TSC, and AutoUI and has been recognized with "Honorable Mention" and "Best Poster" Awards. I have received prestigious scholarships for my academic excellence, including the Alberta Innovates and Eyes High Doctoral Scholarships.
Before UCalgary, I was a lecturer of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) for two years at United International University and Eastern University in Bangladesh. I obtained my undergraduate degree in CSE from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), where my thesis work received the "Best Research Award."
Recent News
🎖️June 2024: Yay! Our Women's Safety paper received the "Honorable Mention Award" at DIS'24!
June 2024: Hooray! Paper on Immersive Participatory Design Tool for Automated Vehicle got accepted to AutoUI'24!
May 2024: Nominated for the "Teaching Award" at the Department of Computer Science, UCalgary!
April 2024: Yahoo! Paper on Global South Women’s Safety Challenges in Public Transport and Gender Inclusive AV Design got accepted to DIS'24!
February 2024: Woohoo! Started an Entrepreneurial Internship at Mitacs Accelerate, Canada!
January 2024: Paper on Interfaith learning through VR application got accepted to CHI'24. (Research collaboration with Thirdspace Group at UofT)
🏆November 2023: Received special recognition for outstanding review at CHI'24 paper reviewing cycle!
Past Activities
October 2023: A paper on Islamophobic content mitigation online has been accepted to TSC. (Research collaboration with Thirdspace Group)
July 2023: Visited Prof. Wendy Ju and her lab at Cornell Tech, New York City.
July 2023: Presented VR demo on AV-passenger scenarios at DIS'23!
July 2023: Attended DIS at Pittsburg, USA, and visited the CMU HCII.
🏆 May 2023: Hooray! Received "Best Poster Award" at GI'23!
April 2023: Our paper on older adults and AV interaction is conditionally accepted at DIS'23!
March 2023: Invited talk at CSRMP, Google's CS Research
October 2022: Attended MobileHCI'22 as a student volunteer in Vancouver, BC
September 2022: One paper is accepted at IEEE CW'22!
April 2022: Attended CHI in New Orleans, USA, and presented workshop paper at AutomationXP'22!
September 2021: Received the Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship at the University of Calgary
September 2021: Received the prestigious Eyes High Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship at the University of Calgary
September 2021: Started Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Calgary!
August 2021: Yay! Successfully defended master's in Computer Science at the University of Calgary!