I am pleased to invite you to a Transition Party as I turn over the directorship of the University of Maryland's Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL) to Ben Bederson. This free event will be on June 1 from 4:30pm to 7pm, during our 17th Annual Symposium and Open House. The party will be on the East Patio of the Inn and Conference Center.
We must ask you to register so we know how many people to plan for - please send a note with your name and address to: hcil-transition@cs.umd.edu and you will receive information on where the event will take place.
It has been exciting and rewarding to see the growth of our lab, the emergence of human-computer interaction as a lively discipline, and the explosion of professional interest in usability. There are many challenges ahead for the lab, discipline and profession, but they are healthy adolescents with a bright future. We have all helped shape important technologies and made them more human-centered... the job is not done, but it is time for us to pause, reflect and celebrate.
Ben Bederson's leadership of HCIL will reinvigorate it with fresh approaches and directions. The transition will increase recognition on campus and broaden our support. The Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) remains our administrative home base, with strong support from the Departments of Computer Science and Psychology, Colleges of Information Studies and Education, and the Institute for Systems Research.
I've had the great pleasure to work with many wonderful faculty, staff and students over the past 17 years. Thanks to all, but especially to Catherine Plaisant as Deputy Director, Kent Norman, and Gary Marchionini who have been trusted partners for most of those years. In Spring 1997, Ben Bederson and Allison Druin brought new energy. They exemplify, and will amplify, the HCIL traditions of blending disciplinary strength, professional leadership, societal concern, and joyful human interaction.
I will continue as an HCIL member at UMd, with increased freedom to explore new topics such as creativity support tools and the policy-linked issues of universal usability. I will continue as an advocate of rigorous scientific methods of research (from controlled studies to ethnographic) and socially beneficial applications.
All Symposium registrants are invited to join the party, and those who can only attend the party are also welcome. We'll speak briefly at 5:30pm, but mainly join us for good food, Champagne, and conversation with friends and colleagues. You can offer your guidance and support to Ben Bederson.
Sincerely... Ben Shneiderman