About Conor Linehan

I am a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Lincoln and a member of the Lincoln Social Computing (LiSC) Research Centre. I hold BA and PhD degrees in Psychology from the National UNiversity of Ireland, Maynooth. My research explores the psychological experience of digital interaction. My publications address the design of social, mobile and games technology for facilitating provocative and critical experiences, as well as the application of established psychological theories to the design of technology for education and behaviour change.  I have published papers on a wide range of topics including game design, educational games, dietary behaviour, sustainable consumption, physical exercise and mental health. I am particularly interested in exploring the potential of seemingly inoffensive participatory-designed technology to facilitate genuinely psychopathological behaviours.

I am currently a co-investigator on the EPSRC-funded ‘ENACT’ project, which is examining whether the engaging qualities of computerised mental health interventions can be improved through the utilisation of modern social media. I am also co-investigator on a TSB-funded project developing a visual search tool for rehabilitating visual field loss in children.

Department Responsibilities

Co-ordinate and teach Level 2 module “Human Computer Interaction”
Co-ordinate and teach MSc level module “Interaction Design”
Contribute to Games Design modules
Co-ordinate all undergraduate research project modules in the School of Computer Science.

Subject Specialism

Human-Computer Interaction

Qualifications

• PhD (Psychology) — National University of Ireland, Maynooth, 2008
• BA (Psychology) — National University of Ireland, Maynooth, 2003
• Currently studying for PGCE (Higher Education) — University of Lincoln, -1

Awards

• Co-investigator, ‘Translating visual neuroscience into special education: Developing a visual — TSB, 2012
• Co-investigator, ‘ENACT: Exploiting social Networks to Augment Cognitive behavioural Therapy.’ — EPSRC, 2010
• Postgraduate scholarship, ‘Exploiting psycho-perceptual effects to combat latency in Distributed I — IRCSET, 2005

Professional Affiliations

• ACM CHI 2012 workshop on, “Interaction Design for Emotional Wellbeing.” — Organising Committee
• ACM DIS 2012 workshop on, “Food for thought: Designing for critical reflection on food practices.” — Organising Committee
• BCS UK HCI workshop on, “People, Computers and Psychotherapy.”” — Organising Committee
• 2012-2013:  special issue of International Journal of Human-Computer Studies on “Designing for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing.” — Guest editor
• ACM CHI 2010-present; ACM DIS 2010-present; ACM Mindtrek 2010-present; ACM MobileHCI 2012 – present; IEEE Social Computing 2009-2010. — programme committee
• Member of ACM 2010-present.