Faculty
Meet our dedicated HCI and Design faculty.
The Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design program was founded by DUB (Design. Use. Build.), a research center and grassroots alliance of faculty, students, researchers, and industry partners interested in Human Computer Interaction & Design research and education at the University of Washington. The program is overseen by the HCI+D Interdisciplinary Faculty Group which is composed of two dub-involved faculty from each of our four sponsoring academic units.
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Michael Collins
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Program
Biography
As an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Michael teaches Interface Labs. Michael designs with imagination and lead with clarity — connecting ideas, people, and products through systems thinking and strategic storytelling. As both a leader and hands-on contributor, he’s built teams, shaped product visions, and delivered impactful digital experiences across industries, from startups to the Fortune 50.
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Roark Congdon
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Program
Biography
As an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Roark teaches Ideation Studio. As an educator, textbook author, and former snowboard professional, he brings expertise in curriculum development, Design Thinking, 3D modeling, digital fabrication, and Adobe Creative Suite. Roark holds undergraduate degrees in art, architecture, and art history, plus graduate degrees including an MFA in Sculpture and a Master’s in Design Computing (Architecture) from the University of Washington.
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Jim Dantzler
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Program
Biography
An adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Jim teaches Designing Interactive Systems. Jim is an accomplished design executive with 25 years of industry experience, including 20 years at Amazon, leading design, creative, and product teams through the complete product lifecycle from early-stage ideation and customer research to detailed design development and launch.
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Kate Davis
Adjunct Professor, University of Washington
Biography
As adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Kate Davis teaches Capstone Planning in the Winter Quarter. The founder and Executive Director of the Center for Transforming Engagement, I’m passionate about supporting innovation in spiritual communities that respond to our complex cultural moment. Sought-after speaker on resilience in leadership and organizational development. I consult and coach leaders of nonprofits, including directors, academic administrators, regional leaders, and “don’t call me a
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Paul Dietz
Adjunct Professor, University of Washington
Biography
As an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Paul Dietz teaches Capstone Planning and Prototyping Studio. My goal is to make the world a slightly better place by creating technologies and systems that surprise and delight, that teach and inspire, and that build connection in our fractured communities. I’d like to think I’m pretty good at this. Occasionally, some projects, like my early work on touch interfaces, literally changed
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Jon E. Froehlich
Professor, University of Washington
Biography
Jon E. Froehlich currently teaches Prototyping Studio in the Winter Quarter. Froehlich is a Professor in Computer Science at the University of Washington (UW) and co-founder of Project Sidewalk, an open-source platform dedicated to mapping and assessing every sidewalk in the world using Human+AI techniques. His research in Human-Computer Interaction explores urban informatics, accessibility, and other high-value social domains. Jon’s MHCI+D Spotlight
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Julie Kientz
Professor, University of Washington
Chair, Human Centered Design & EngineeringBiography
Julie A. Kientz (pronounced like “Keentz”) currently teaches Ideation Studio, and is a Professor and Chair of the department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington. She directs the Computing for Healthy Living and Learning Lab and her primary research areas are in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous Computing, and Health Informatics.
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Axel Roesler
Professor for Interaction Design
Biography
A Professor for Immersion Studio, Axel also chairs the Division of Design at the University of Washington, is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering, and part of the founding faculty of the MHCI+D Program. Axel is passionate in connecting Interaction Design projects and studies on design and innovation at the University of Washington with the expertise of industry, research groups, non-profits, and policy makers.
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Clint Rule
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Program
Biography
As an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Clint teaches Portfolio & Professional Practices. He leads design and research with a passion for untangling complex problems into actionable strategies. Clint excels at fostering client partnerships, guiding teams, and co-designing with users across business, UX, and technology. As a seasoned consultant, he’s flexible with methods and approaches across various products, industries, and development stages.
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Chris Seifert
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Professor
Biography
An accomplished sound design engineer, Chris teaches Advanced Interfaces. Chris is also a sensory design lead at Amazon Futures, where he explores how sound, haptics, and all the senses combine to create multi-modal, multi-sensory experiences across spatial, immersive, and generative design. His team leverages user insights and collaborates with design technologists to bring what the future feels like a bit closer and a little more in focus. Chris’ MHCI+D Spotlight
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Jacob O. Wobbrock
Professor, University of Washington
Chair, Interdisciplinary Faculty GroupBiography
Jacob Wobbrock currently teaches Immersion Studio, User Interface Software & Technology, and serves as the Chair of the MHCI+D Interdisciplinary Faculty Group (IFG). Wobbrock’s research seeks to scientifically understand people’s behaviors and experiences with computer user interfaces and to improve them by designing, building, and evaluating new interaction techniques and interactive systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, and
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John Zošák
Adjunct Professor, MHCI+D Program
Biography
An adjunct professor at the University of Washington, John teaches Research Studio and Evaluation Studio. When not in the classroom John is a Principal Program Manager at Optimizely where he passionately works on his sweet spot: fine tuning SaaS tools that help people do their jobs.
