Just Curious...Human Computer Interaction\Interaction Design Rankings?

[Ahmed]

Hey all,

 

Just wondering if we could have a thread here that talked about the relative value of HCI\IxD specific programs (rankings, reputation in both industry and academia, research output, strengths and weaknesses etc.). I just finished up a masters in Interaction Design from CMU an year ago and found it a great program - was also working in several HCI\Robotics labs. Now thinking of applying for a PhD.

 

I can list what I see as the pros and cons of CMU HCI and IxD (both have slightly different approaches and cultures)

 

CMU HCI

• Housed wholly within the school of CS
• Very, very well reputed in both industry and general academia - ranked #1, I think (??)
• Very high research output, I remember reading somewhere that in CMU HCI has the highest number of annual publications in top ranking journals and conferences
• By and large research driven culture - most graduate students work on some kind of research project
• Broad program drawing faculty from the social sciences, esp. sociology, psychology and cognitive science, from the design school, and from computer science
• Close ties with Robotics - both labs I was working as an RA for were actually under the robotics school
• Focus on a "hard-sciences", empirically driven approach
• Students encouraged to collaborate on papers and publish prolifically
• The way the program funds its students is by employing them as researchers on specific funded projects, so you basically end up doing your PhD on what your professor is working on
• On average time to completion is usually >5 years from what I hear
• Incredibly hectic, work driven culture, from how I experienced it

CMU IxD

• Housed within the school of Design
• Much smaller, more niche program than HCI
• Very well reputed in industry, masters program ranked consistently in top 5 every year
• The school provides full funding and students select their own research topics to work on
• Very highly reputed faculty also sharing with HCI, english, philosophy and social sciences
• Approach draws more from the humanities, esp. philosophy, critical theory etc. and looks at larger questions of ethics, feasibility etc.
• More of a focus on social and sustainable innovation and less on developing emerging technologies
• Time to completion is 4 years - students start directly on research after the first year of coursework
• The program isn't as old or established as HCI, so not sure what it's reputation is in terms of academic placements
• More relaxed, reflective culture

Anyone else have anything to add about their experiences or thoughts regarding other HCI programs?

[zupgiusto]

I can't believe no one replied to this topic. I've been waiting for people to post on the results search for HCI programs and it's been crickets there too. What gives?! If anyone's been applying to HCI programs for the 2015 cycle, please chime in! I only applied to one school this year and if that doesn't work out then I want to aim higher next year, and would love to hear from anyone who has experiences to share.

 

My challenge trying to study HCI in Canada has been the overall lack of programs where I feel I would have a good fit. As you mentioned about CMU HCI, the programs I've seen also seem to be more hard-sciencey. I have applied to one housed in an engineering department, not a CS department. I feel like Canadian HCI programs are relatively young and unestablished at this time - they are not so structured as those you mentioned above, they're usually just a research area you can pursue if accepted to CS or engineering. I am jealous of larger and more stable entities like Stanford's HCI group. Due to my own research interests I'm attracted to Indiana Bloomington, Georgia Tech, Washington, and UC Irvine. CMU IxD sounds like it would be up my alley as well. Unfortunately at this time it is really not possible for me to study abroad, so I'm stuck wondering "what if..." 

 

I enjoyed going through past proceedings of CHI and seeing the breakdown of what schools were being represented and the kinds of stuff they were publishing. It really gave me a good idea about what was going on at those places. Obviously going to the conference and hearing people speak helped as well, it was the best snapshot possible of what's out there. 

[PanicMode]

"I only applied to one school this year and if that doesn't work out then I want to aim higher next year" Maybe you should aim lower or apply to more places? The people who were accepted have no business here anymore and for the ones who are waiting or were rejected your question isn't relevant. Sorry.

[zupgiusto]

I'm sorry - I didn't mean for it to come off that way! I just think OP has started what could be a really valuable thread. There are similar threads in other specializations across gradcafe where people who are waiting have shared what attracted them to certain schools and how they made their decisions on where to apply. I felt like there might be others lurking with similar interests who might like to be engaged!  

Edited February 17, 2015 by zupgiusto

[painkillers]

I was actually just admitted to the CMU HCII program as a PhD. I know that I love HCI and the interdisciplinary nature of CMU's environment sounds awesome. I am wondering a bit about getting a degree in Human Computer Interaction instead of Computer Science, but I don't think anyone will care.

[PanicMode]

@painkillers, do you know who your advisor will be and if so who?

[zupgiusto]

Congrats @painkillers! I think it all depends what you want to do after school. When I was interviewing for jobs in UX research there were tons of PhDs on staff from all different backgrounds, a lot of them from psych. 

[boomerang]

I was actually just admitted to the CMU HCII program as a PhD. I know that I love HCI and the interdisciplinary nature of CMU's environment sounds awesome. I am wondering a bit about getting a degree in Human Computer Interaction instead of Computer Science, but I don't think anyone will care.

 

Congrats, @painkillers!

 

I was also admitted to CMU HCII PhD program. The interdisciplinary nature of HCII is a big selling point for me given that HCI and UX is a very interdisciplinary field. I actually did an REU there this past summer and loved the experience: the people, the campus, and the Pittsburgh area. The program is definitely well-respected in both academia/industry and is competitive as such. I'm looking forward to the Open House to talk with faculty and current students.