Faculty of Science

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Using and Developing Theory in Human-Computer Interaction
Provider: Faculty of Science

Activity no.: 5117-26-00-00	There are 30 available seats
	Enrollment deadline: 25/09/2026

Place	Department of Computer Science
Date and time	16.11.2026, at: 09:00 - 19.11.2026, at: 16:00
Regular seats	30
Lecturers	Kasper Hornbæk
ECTS credits	2.50

Contact person	Heidi Bjerg Gregersen E-mail address: heidi.gregersen@di.ku.dk

Enrolment Handling/Course Organiser	PhD Administration SCIENCE E-mail address: phdcourses@science.ku.dk

Enrolment guidelines This is a specialised course where 50% of the seats are reserved for PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 50% of the seats are reserved for PhD students at other faculties and universities. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list. Aim and Content The course introduces students to working with theory in human-computer interaction (HCI). It focuses on how theory can be used to understand and predict interactive behavior, and on the role of theory in designing interactive computer systems. The course also addresses how theories can be developed, with the aim of helping students advance the theoretical contributions of their own PhD projects. The course combines lectures with hands-on work on students’ own research. The lectures will introduce current perspectives on theory use in HCI, including the different functions of theory and common pitfalls in applying theory to HCI research. They will also cover approaches to developing theory, including causal modelling and broader discussions of the types, roles, and functions of theory. A central part of the course will be to relate these ideas to students’ dissertation projects and to the theories used in them. This will be done through student presentations, in-class discussions, and a written assignment to be submitted after the four days of lectures and discussions. Learning outcomes Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course: Knowledge: •Knowledge of taxonomies of theories in HCI and of the functions such theories serve in research. •Insight into prominent approaches to developing theories in HCI, including causal modelling and construct analysis. •Understanding of key challenges in using, evaluating, and developing theory in HCI. Skills: •Identify key components of theories and analyze how they are applied in students’ own work and in published HCI research. •Assess the theoretical adequacy of arguments in published papers. •Relate theoretical concepts to empirical findings, design decisions, and claims about interactive systems. Competences: •Apply theories and concepts from HCI in ways that advance students’ own research projects. •Discuss theoretical issues in HCI as they relate to prediction, design, explanation, and understanding mechanisms in interactive phenomena. •Capability to use and develop theory in ways that strengthen the theoretical contribution of their own work. Target Group Ph.D. students working in human-computer interaction, interaction design, computer-supported cooperative work, or similar field. Recommended Academic Qualifications A relevant master degree and enrollment in a PhD degree in HCI or equivalent (e.g., computer science, psychology, media studies). Research Area Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science Teaching and Learning Methods The course will combine lectures with exercises on theory. Students will also present their own projects and discuss the readings and lectures in relation to those projects. Type of Assessment The course is completed by active participation and submission of a paper three weeks after the course. The paper should discuss selected readings on theory in HCI and include an analysis and reflection on the student’s own project in relation to the readings and course discussions. Literature A reading list will be distributed three weeks before the course. Course coordinator Professor Kasper Hornbæk, Department of Computer Science Guest Lecturers Professor Yvonne Rogers, University College London. Professor Rogers is a leading scholar in human-computer interaction and interaction design, with extensive contributions to HCI theory, ubiquitous computing, and the design of interactive technologies. She will lecture on the uses and functions of theory in HCI, and on how theories can inform research, design, and interpretation in the field. She will be present during the entire course. Professor Eduardo Velloso, University of Sydney. Professor Velloso is a professor of computer science working in human-computer interaction, methodology, emerging interaction technologies, and human-centred computing. He will lecture on methodological approaches to theory-building in HCI, including the use of causal modelling to develop and evaluate theoretical claims. Velloso will be present during the entire course. Expected frequency Will likely be held again, probably in January 2028 Course location North Campus Registration The application should be accompanied with a 1-page motivational letter. The letter must be sent to course coordinator by e-mail. Requirements for signing up Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Applications from other participants will be considered after the deadline for registration Course fee and participant fee PhD courses offered at the Faculty of SCIENCE have course fees corresponding to different participant types. In addition to the course fee, there might also be a participant fee. If the course has a participant fee, this will apply to all participants regardless of participant type - and in addition to the course fee. Course fee • Participant fee: DKK 0 • PhD student enrolled at SCIENCE: DKK 0 • PhD student from Danish PhD school Open market: DKK 0 • PhD student from Danish PhD school not Open market: DKK 3.000 • PhD student from foreign university: DKK 3.000 • Master's student from Danish university: DKK 0 • Master's student from foreign university: DKK 3.000 • Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): DKK 3.000 • Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): DKK 8.400 Participants will receive an email with a link and instructions for payment after completing the course Cancellation policy Cancellations made up to two weeks before the course starts are free of charge. Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course starts will be charged a fee of DKK 3.000 Participants with less than 80% attendance cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000 No-show will result in a fee of DKK 5.000 Participants who fail to hand in any mandatory exams or assignments cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000

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