The department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) is internationally known for its cutting-edge research. As part of a major research (R1) university, HCDE students and faculty collaborate across disciplines, across campus, and externally, to magnify the breadth and potential impact of our discoveries.

Research Areas

Faculty and students in HCDE advance the study and practice of design to improve cognition, behavior, engagement, or participation among individuals, groups, organizations, and communities of people. Our faculty's research and teaching focus on six interrelated areas of study. See HCDE research areas »

Directed Research Groups

HCDE's Directed Research Groups offer students a wide range of opportunities to conduct hands-on research projects with faculty members and other students across degree programs. The department's very active and growing research agenda continually generates new projects and new opportunities for students to be partners in our research endeavors. See current Directed Research Groups »

Research Labs & Centers

From experimental studies of communication design variables to cultural studies of technology adoption in developing nations, HCDE's research labs and centers lead the way in broadening the knowledge base of the field. See all research labs and centers »

Become a Research Sponsor

Research sponsors work with the department to select a faculty partner and decide a topic for a Directed Research Group. Proposing a research topic requires a high level of involvement from the sponsor, and provides a high level of interaction with students and faculty. Learn how to become a research sponsor »

See Also

• Dissertations from HCDE PhD graduates
• DUB: The University of Washington also hosts an interdisciplinary consortium (known as DUB) of faculty and students from across the university who are exploring Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design in their work.