Parmit Chilana
Assistant Professor, Computing Science, Simon Fraser University
About Me
I am an Assistant Professor in human-computer interaction (HCI) at the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University. I co-direct the Interactive Experiences Lab with Dr. Sheelagh Carpendale.
My core research in HCI focuses on inventing and deploying user-centered software help and learning techniques for feature-rich applications in a variety of domains, such as 3D modeling, education, health, and software development. In particular, I am passionate about using interdisciplinary approaches to understand and design for user diversity and empower users from all backgrounds and skills levels to use, learn, and program emerging technologies. My work has been recognized with several awards and honors, including Best Paper Awards at venues such as ACM CHI and an NSERC Discovery Accelerator Award. Before coming to SFU, I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo. I received my PhD from the University of Washington where I co-founded AnswerDash , a venture-funded startup that commercialized my award-winning dissertation work on crowdsourced contextual help retrieval.
Recent Publications
GI 2021: Jahanlou, A. Challenges in Getting Started in Motion Graphic Design: Perspectives from Casual and Professional Motion Designers.
DIS 2020: Vermette et al. Peek-through Customization: Example-Based In-Context Sharing for Learning Management Systems. (Best Paper Honorable Mention Award )
CHI 2020: Ashtari et al. Creating Augmented and Virtual Reality Applications: Current Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities. (Best Paper Award)
CHI 2020: Mahmud et al. Learning Through Exploration: How Children, Adults, and Older Adults Interact with a New Feature-Rich Application.
UIST 2019: Davis et al. CircuitStyle: A System for Peripherally Reinforcing Best Practices in Hardware Computing.
VL/HCC 2019: Wang et al. Designing Curated Conversation-Driven Explanations for Communicating Complex Technical Concepts.
L@S 2019: Chaudhury et al. How Learners Engage with In-Context Retrieval Exercises in Online Informational Videos.
GI 2019: Nawhal et al. VideoWhiz: Non-Linear Interactive Overviews for Recipe Videos.
CHI 2019: Kiani et al. Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Diversity and Challenges in How Software Newcomers Discover and Make Use of External Help Resources.
CHI 2019: Vermette et al. Freedom to Personalize My Digital Classroom Ecosystem: Understanding Teachers' Practices, Motivations, and Barriers.
Contact Me
School of Computing Science
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Dr E
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
Office: TASC1 9415
Email: pchilana@cs.sfu.ca
