Dr Thomas Methven

Dr Thomas Methven is an Assistant Professor at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. With a strong academic background, including a PhD in Computer Science from Heriot-Watt University, Dr Methven has established himself in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Retrieval, and User Experience (UX) design. His research explores how users interact with technology, focusing on improving user confidence, enhancing decision-making processes, and understanding cognitive styles.

Dr Methven has contributed significantly to academic research, authoring over 29 publications, including conference papers, technical reports, and journal articles. His work highlights how people organise ideas, interact with concept maps, and perceive information presented by automated systems. One of his notable research interests is in improving user confidence in automated concept maps, which he explored in the context of data-driven explanations. He has also investigated the factors affecting user confidence in explanation systems, contributing to discussions on the importance of explainability in artificial intelligence.

Dr Methven has played an important role in advancing education in the field of game development. He is the lead for the BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production programme at Heriot-Watt University, a course designed to equip students with the comprehensive skills needed for the gaming industry. This programme was developed in consultation with major industry players such as Unity and Build A Rocket Boy.

Dr Methven has been recognised through accolades such as Honourable Mentions at the ACM CHI 2017 and ACM DIS 2017 conferences for his research papers and notes. Furthermore, he won a Scottish BAFTA in 2021 for his role in developing the game SOLAS 128.

Dr Thomas Methven is a respected academic in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Retrieval, and User Experience (UX) design. His journey in academia began with an interest in how people interact with technology, a field that has seen rapid advancements and increasing relevance in the digital age.

Dr Methven pursued his higher education at Heriot-Watt University, where he earned his PhD in Computer Science. His doctoral research focused on understanding human perception and interaction, laying the foundation for his future work in HCI and UX design. This period of intense study and research provided him with the expertise to contribute significantly to the academic community.

After completing his PhD, Dr Methven continued his association with Heriot-Watt University, where he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. His role as an educator and researcher allowed him to explore various facets of human interaction with technology, focusing on improving how users engage with digital tools and systems.

Dr Methven's research has led to over 29 publications, including conference papers, technical reports, and journal articles. His work has been presented at numerous prestigious conferences, including the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems and the ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems. One of his key research areas has been improving user confidence in automated concept maps, where he has explored data-driven explanations and how these can be made more understandable and trustworthy for users.

In 2018, Dr Methven co-authored a paper titled "Improving User Confidence in Concept Maps: Exploring Data-Driven Explanations," which was presented at the CHI Conference. This work delved into how automated tools generate concept maps and the challenges users face in trusting these automated outputs. His research highlighted the need for better explanations in systems that rely on artificial intelligence, contributing to the broader discussion on AI explainability.

Dr Methven has also contributed to understanding how people organise ideas and perceive information, as seen in his work "Understanding Concept Maps: A Closer Look at How People Organise Ideas," published in 2017. This study examined the cognitive processes involved in how individuals structure their thoughts and the implications for designing better user interfaces.

In addition to his research in HCI, Dr Methven has explored the intersection of emotion and technology. His 2017 paper, "Image-based Emotion Feedback: How Does the Crowd Feel? And Why?" investigated how crowdsourced feedback could be used to gauge emotional responses to visual designs. This work was part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between technical systems and human emotions, ensuring that technology is more attuned to the needs and feelings of its users.

Dr Methven played a pivotal role in the development of the BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production programme at Heriot-Watt University. As the programme leader, he has been instrumental in shaping a course that prepares students for the challenges of the gaming industry. This programme was developed in consultation with major industry players like Unity and Build A Rocket Boy, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills needed to design, develop, and bring games to market. The course's success aligns with Heriot-Watt's goal of becoming a leading institution for video game education in the UK.

Dr Methven received Honourable Mentions at the ACM CHI 2017 and ACM DIS 2017 conferences for his research. Additionally, he won a Scottish BAFTA in 2021 for his role in developing the critically acclaimed game SOLAS 128. Dr Methven has been involved in various collaborative projects, often working with other researchers to explore new ways of improving user experience and interaction with technology. 

Today, as an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, Dr Methven remains dedicated to both his teaching and research. He is committed to educating the next generation of computer scientists while continuing to explore the complexities of human interaction with technology. His ongoing research projects aim to address some of the most pressing challenges in HCI, UX design, and game development, making technology more accessible, understandable, and responsive to the needs of its users.

Dr Thomas Methven envisions a world where technology seamlessly integrates with human needs, enhancing everyday experiences through intuitive design and user-centred innovation. His work focuses on bridging the gap between complex digital systems and their users, ensuring that technology is not only functional but also accessible and easy to use. He is committed to advancing research in Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience, aiming to create tools that empower individuals and support meaningful interaction. Dr Methven's vision is to make technology more responsive to human emotions, needs, and behaviours, promoting a more connected and inclusive digital future.