Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

🔬 Grazia Ragone is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on autism and interactive systems. 🏫 She earned her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, where she investigated social motor synchrony in autistic children through motion capture and sonification. 🎼 With a background in psychology, developmental science, and music therapy, she integrates interdisciplinary methods into assistive technology. 💻 She has extensive teaching experience in research methods, cognitive science, and HCI at the University of Sussex. 🏆 Her research has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Microsoft Research’s Best Student Research Competition. 🌍 She actively contributes as a reviewer and associate chair for HCI conferences and journals. 📖 Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, aiming to enhance accessibility and interaction for neurodiverse individuals.

Profile

Education 🎓

She completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Sussex, UK, where her research focused on autism, motion capture, and social motor synchrony. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Psychological Methods from the University of Sussex in 2018, with a focus on autism and interactional features. She also holds an MPhil in Developmental Psychology from London Metropolitan University (2015), specializing in child development and interaction. In 2014, she completed her BSc in Developmental Psychology at London Metropolitan University, studying early cognitive and social development. She further enriched her expertise with a Master’s in Music & Art Therapy from Tor Vergata University in Rome (2006), where she focused on therapeutic interventions for individuals with special needs. Her academic journey began with a BA in Humanities from the University of Pavia, Italy (2004), where she studied philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 2019 to 2023, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sussex, UK, where she taught Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), research methods, and professional skills. Prior to this, she served as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex (2016-2018), focusing on technology designed for neurodiverse children. From 2014 to 2016, she conducted research on autism and interactive environments at London Metropolitan University. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant at CNR-ISTI Pisa, Italy (2008-2014), where she contributed to the development of assistive software for autistic children. Her experience also includes working as a Music Therapist for the Rome City Council (2005-2010), providing therapeutic interventions for autistic children. Additionally, from 2010 to 2019, she worked as a Trainer and Consultant, conducting workshops and training programs for professionals in the field of autism.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and autism, developing interactive systems to support neurodiverse individuals. She explores the role of music and sonification in enhancing motor and social skills through auditory feedback. Her work also includes investigating social motor synchrony using motion capture technology. She designs AI-powered assistive technology to support autistic children and applies user-centered design principles to create accessible interfaces for individuals with special needs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

She has received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to autism research and assistive technology. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Student Research Award by Microsoft Research at the ASSETS Conference. Her work was also recognized with the Best Work in Progress Award at the IDC Conference on autism research in 2020. In 2013, she received the Horizon Research Award from London Metropolitan University for outstanding research. Her contributions to autism research earned her a Massachusetts Senate Citation in 2012, and in 2011, she was honored with the Rotary Club Research Award from CNR Pisa for excellence in autism studies.

Publications 📚

  •  Supporting and understanding autistic children’s non-verbal interactions through OSMoSIS, a motion-based sonic system
    International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
    2025-02 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcci.2025.100726
    CONTRIBUTORS: Grazia Ragone; Judith Good; Kate Howland

  • Child-Centered AI for Empowering Creative and Inclusive Learning Experiences

    Proceedings of ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference: Inclusive Happiness, IDC 2024
    2024 | Conference paper
    DOI: 10.1145/3628516.3661157

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85197894406

    Part ofISBN: 9798400704420
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Ali, S.A.; Esposito, A.; Good, J.; Howland, K.; Presicce, C.

  • Designing Safe and Engaging AI Experiences for Children: Towards the Definition of Best Practices in UI/UX Design

    arXiv
    2024 | Other
    DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2404.14218

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85192517180

    Part of ISSN: 23318422
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Buono, P.; Lanzilotti,

Reyhan Eskiyurt | social anxiety | Cognitive Bias Awareness

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Reyhan Eskiyurt | social anxiety | Cognitive Bias Awareness

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkey

She graduated from Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing in 2010. She worked at Hacettepe University Hospital’s Psychiatry Clinic from 2010 to 2015. Since 2015, she has been working at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatric Nursing. She completed her PhD in 2020. Between 2014 and 2021, she received Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy training organized by the Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies and was certified as a Cognitive Therapist by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy in 2020. She continues her work in this field.

Profile

Education:

She completed her Doctorate at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Turkey, from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, she pursued postgraduate studies at the same university’s Faculty of Health Sciences in Nursing from 2015 to 2016, as well as at Ankara University, Turkey, from 2014 to 2015. She earned her undergraduate degree from Gazi University, Turkey, between 2006 and 2010. She is proficient in English at a B1 intermediate level. In 2020, she completed vocational training in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy, organized by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.

 

Professional Experience:

She graduated from Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing in 2010. Between 2010 and 2015, she worked at Hacettepe University Hospitals Psychiatry Clinic. Since 2015, she has been working at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatric Nursing. She completed her PhD in 2020. From 2014 to 2021, she received Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy training organized by the Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies and was certified as a Cognitive Therapist by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy in 2020. She continues her work in this field.

ResearchAreas

Health Sciences

Published journal articles indexed by SCI, SSCI, and AHCI

I. Exploring the impact of col aborative learning on the development of critical thinking and clinical
decision-making skil s in nursing students: A quantitative descriptive design
ESKİYURTR.,ÖZKANB.
Heliyon,vol.10,no.17,2024 (SCI-Expanded)
I . The investigation of the relationship between probability of suicide and reasons for living in
psychiatric inpatients.
EskiyurtR.,OzkanB.
Indianjournalofpsychiatry,vol.59,pp.435-441,2017 (SCI-Expanded)

Articles Published in Other Journals

I. Analysis of The Relationship Between Alexithymia, Depression, Anxiety and Empathy Skil s of
Nursing Senior Students
EskiyurtR.,AtkanF.,ÖzkanB.
GümüşhaneÜniversitesiSağlıkBilimleriDergisi,vol.13,no.4,pp.1680-1689,2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
I . Therapeutic efficacy of video feedback in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy of social anxiety
disorder
EskiyurtR.,CoşkunN.,ÖğütlüH.,TürkçaparM.H.
JCognBehavPsychotherRes,vol.12,no.1,pp.1-9,2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
I I. AWARENESS and ATTITUDES of the UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS in the FIELD of HEALTH RELATED
to the TESTABILITY of INFORMATION on SOCIAL MEDIA: THE CASE of ANKARA YILDIRIMBEYAZIT
UNIVERSITY
AlacaE.,EskiyurtR.
ArşivDünyası,vol.9,no.1,pp.41-60,2022 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
IV. Determination of Social Anxiety Levels of Distance Education University Students.
EskiyurtR.,AlacaE.
CURRENTAPPROACHES INPSYCHIATRY,vol.13,pp.257-269,2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
V. Determination of the problems experienced by patients with chronic diseases and their caregivers
during home care process fromnursing students’ perspectives: A phenomenological study
CeylanE.,EskiyurtR.,KoçA.
EurasianJournalof FamilyMedicine,vol.10,no.3,pp.141-150,2021 (Scopus)
VI. The Investigation of The Relationship Between Reasons for Living and Suicidal Behavior in
Psychiatric Inpatients: A Systematic Review
EskiyurtR.,ÖzkanB.
JOURNALOF EDUCATION&RESEARCHINNURSING,vol.17,no.1,pp.73-82,2020 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
VI . Evaluation of the Effectiveness ofWeb-based Intervention for Patients with Breast Cancer
OzkanB.,EskiyurtR.,OztasD.