UNIST design faculty proves research strength at top HCI conference

Research teams led by professors Park Young-woo, Lee Kyung-ho and Kim Da-jung of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology's Department of Design presented seven full papers at ACM DIS 2026 — the Designing Interactive Systems Conference — held at the National University of Singapore.

ACM DIS ranks among the top international venues in human-computer interaction (HCI), interactive systems design and user experience (UX). The conference brings together researchers in design and computer science to discuss the future of technology and human experience.

The research took everyday life as its starting point. Topics ranged from calendar reminders and office communication to digital messaging, remote music listening, AI-assisted journaling, local news production and recommendation algorithm experiences — situations familiar to virtually anyone. Rather than making technology more complex, the studies sought ways to help people engage with it more comfortably and naturally.

Park's team presented four papers on physical movement and emotional connection.

Lee's team contributed two papers on citizen-participatory AI systems that integrate large language models into daily life and social systems.

Kim's team presented research examining how people in digital media environments perceive and reflect on their own identities.

The UNIST design faculty said presenting seven full papers at ACM DIS 2026 showed the university had earned recognition for its competitiveness in global HCI and design research. "It is also significant in that we have helped chart the direction for human-centered technology and design in the age of AI," they added.

The UNIST Department of Design combines an engineering-based research environment with design problem-solving capabilities to explore interaction design, human-AI collaboration, user experience and digital media.