Rate My Professor Bob Kummerfeld

Professor Bob Kummerfeld is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney. He earned his BSc in Computer Science with First Class Honours in 1973 and his PhD in Computer Science in 1979, both from the University of Sydney. Kummerfeld has had a distinguished career at the University of Sydney spanning over four decades, beginning his academic appointment as Associate Professor in 1989 and continuing in various capacities, including as Affiliate Professor of Computer Science. His research focuses on human-computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, Internet of Things, user modeling, pervasive computing, wearable computing, and scrutable user models. These interests have led to contributions in areas such as personalized learning systems, lifelong learner modeling, and context-aware services. Kummerfeld has collaborated extensively with researchers like Professor Judy Kay on projects including HUMPHRE for palliative care technology and wireless wellbeing initiatives at the Charles Perkins Centre.

Kummerfeld's key publications include 'MOOCs: So many learners, so much potential...' (2013), 'Personis: a server for user models' (2002), 'PersonisAD: Distributed, active, scrutable model framework for context-aware services' (2007), 'Creating personalized systems that people can scrutinize and control: Drivers, principles and experience' (2013), 'Lifelong Learner Modeling' (2012), 'Tackling HCI Challenges of Creating Personalised, Pervasive Learning Ecosystems' (2010), and 'Scrutability, User Control and Privacy for Distributed Personalization' (2006). He has taught courses such as those involving studio classes in engineering postgraduate units and contributed to educational innovations, including participation in the Sydney Education Unconference. His work emphasizes user control, privacy, and personalization in intelligent environments, influencing developments in mobile and distributed user modeling frameworks like PersonisJ and PersonisAD. Kummerfeld remains active in research on topics such as exer-models for physical activity and AIED systems.