In this interview, we sit down with Dr Stephann Makri, Programme Director of our MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
I joined City St George’s, University of London in 2012 and have been a member of our research Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design for over a decade. My research specialism is on Human-Information Interaction and, more recently, on understanding peoples’ experiences of informational harms such as being misled by information. I’ve enjoyed working on research projects as varied as understanding peoples’ responses to misinformation on social media and understanding their evidence provision practices on Reddit to understanding the role of information in forming and changing peoples’ views on important issues.
What inspired you to specialise in your current field of study?
I first learned about Postgraduate opportunities to study HCI and UX in 2004, after finishing an undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems. I was delighted that the human side of computing was getting more attention and although the UX industry had not yet matured, I knew that I wanted to be at the forefront of developments in Human-Computer Interaction Design. So, I did an MSc in HCI, then a PhD and now I’m here – as part of one of the UK’s longest-running HCI research groups.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
I love it when I see the passion I have for HCI and UX reflected back in our students – who share an ethos for putting users first no matter what. Our student cohorts are amazing in this regard; we’re all united by the strong desire to make peoples’ lives better with technology.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
The MSc in HCI Design offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skill. It’s integration with professional practice – the UX industry – through a mix of strong academic and practitioner involvement.
What support is offered to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?
There’s no denying that Postgraduate study is a lot of hard work, but it’s also immensely rewarding. We make sure that you don’t need lots of pre-existing knowledge of HCI concepts, or any technical expertise. We support you by helping you gain foundational HCI knowledge early on in the programme and in building on that knowledge so you can succeed at Master’s level.
Are there opportunities for networking with alumni or industry professionals during the course?
The MSc in HCI Design allows for plenty of opportunity to network with UX industry professionals, whether as part of the programme (our modules often feature industry-set and sometimes even industry-assessed design/evaluation briefs) or as part of the HCID community. We run an annual conference featuring talks and discussions with industry professionals and, of course, the opportunity to network. We also have regular get-togethers where current students meet alumni.
Career paths
What career paths have graduates from this programme typically followed?
The MSc in HCI Design will help you progress to senior, leadership-level UX roles. Graduates have taken UX Designer, UX consultant and user researcher positions across industry and government, including at Google, Deloitte and Government Digital Services.
Tips for offer holders
If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?
Joining a community of passionate, like-minded people who are all keen to transform their way of thinking about what makes good design, while always putting users first.
What advice would you give offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
Be curious about new advances in technology, such as generative AI, and their impact on the way we interact with technology. Also remind yourself of your motivation for wanting to pursue an HCI/UX Masters – be it a passion for advocating for users in the design process or a passion for designing technologies that engage and delight their users. Finally, come ready to think about design in new ways.