Pioneer in computer-human interaction honoured

Retired Professor Andrew Cockburn has been awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his pioneering work in computer-human interaction (CHI) and its far-reaching impact on our everyday use of technology.

When Emeritus Professor Cockburn first began his studies in computer science at the University of York in the late 1980s, the personal computer was still finding its way into everyday life. He says, “What most people saw then as a novelty, I saw as a chance to shape how people and computers could work together.”

That vision carried him through his PhD at the University of Stirling in Scotland, where he focused on groupware design—technology to help people collaborate through computers. By the time he joined Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in 1993 as a young lecturer, Professor Cockburn was already laying the groundwork for what would become a lifelong contribution to human-computer interaction.

For more than three decades at UC, Professor Cockburn has been at the forefront of making computers easier to use, faster to use and more enjoyable. His research has explored almost every corner of the user experience: from the way we scroll through documents, select commands, navigate menus and the web, to the gestures we use on touchscreens and the biases that shape our perception of ease and speed. Since the earliest days of graphical user interfaces, he has been asking the questions that would define how billions of people interact with technology today. 

Globally recognised, Emeritus Professor Cockburn has published more than 200 papers with over 12,000 citations, was elected to the prestigious CHI Academy, received the Chris Wallace Award for outstanding research in Australasia and earned multiple international best paper awards.

At UC, he was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, earning a University Teaching Award in 2010 and supervising dozens of postgraduate students who now work in academia and industry worldwide. Colleagues describe him as a leader of integrity and generosity who helped shape both the department and the discipline.

“I’m delighted to receive Emeritus status and to continue my association with the University that has been my intellectual home for 32 years. Over that time, I’ve seen Computer Science transform from a niche discipline for ‘nerds’ into a field that fundamentally shapes our societies and lives. While I’m thoroughly enjoying retirement, I remain passionate about the challenges and opportunities in how people interact with computer systems and I will continue to collaborate internationally on research projects,” says Emeritus Professor Cockburn.