CHCI@VT Celebrates 30 Years of HCI Research

The Center for Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech (CHCI@VT) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of pioneering research, collaboration, and community in the study of how people engage with technology. 

HCI emerged as a field of study in the early 1980s. VT was one of the first universities to emphasize research on user interfaces, usability, and human factors, with HCI pioneers like Rex Hartson, Roger Ehrich, Ed Fox, Deborah Hix, and Bob Williges. Notable research grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) enabled VT to establish laboratories for investigating usability methods, information access, and interactive technologies.

In 1994, John M. Carroll and Mary Beth Rosson joined VT from IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, and Carroll became the head of the Department of Computer Science. In 1995, CHCI was established as a university center for broadening and integrating HCI research throughout VT and the larger community, with Carroll serving as the founding director of CHCI. CHCI quickly became one of the top HCI groups in the world and continues to be an interdisciplinary hub for advancing the design of computing systems that serve people’s needs. 

On Friday, September 26, 2025, CHCI will celebrate its three decades of history with an all-day event involving current and former faculty, students, and collaborators. John M. Carroll, Professor Emeritus at Pennsylvania State University, will return to VT to discuss interdisciplinarity in HCI at the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) Playdate. CHCI will recognize numerous individuals for their research and service contributions to both the Center and broader HCI community with awards. A panel about the future of HCI will discuss critical and emerging research topics, such as the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and HCI. Numerous CHCI members will present research exhibits at multiple campus locations, including the Center for the Arts, Gilbert Place, Whittemore Hall, and the Visionarium. The day of festivities will conclude with an Oktoberfest social at the local Eastern Divide Brewing Company.