The Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) at the University of Maryland, College Park designs, implements, and evaluates new interface technologies that are universally usable, useful, efficient and appealing to a broad cross-section of people. To this end, the HCIL develops advanced user interfaces and design methodology. Primary activities include collaborative research, publication and the sponsorship of open houses, workshops and symposia.
The HCIL is an interdisciplinary lab with faculty and students from Information Studies, Computer Science, Education, English, Business, and Psychology. Current work includes new approaches to information visualization, interfaces for digital libraries, multimedia resources for learning communities, zoomable user interfaces (ZUIs), technology design methods with and for children, mobile and pen-based computing and instruments for evaluating user interface technologies.
The HCIL is a fundamentally interdisciplinary place. In addition to members from around campus, it actively collaborates with other departments, centers and labs on campus. It regularly hosts academic and industrial visitors, and of course works closely with project sponsors.