Frank Vetere

Professor Frank Vetere is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in the School of Computing and Information Systems within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Melbourne, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) Company Directors Course. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a user experience engineer and as a secondary school teacher. Professor Vetere served as Deputy Dean (Engagement) in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology from 2019 to 2025, leading initiatives to strengthen engagement with industry, government, and the community. He was Director of the Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces (SocialNUI) from 2004 to 2018, developing interactive technologies for informal social engagement. He is a founding member and leader of the University of Melbourne's Human-Computer Interaction group and currently serves as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global). His research focuses on human-centred AI, technologies for well-being, innovation design, social computing, natural user interfaces, human-centered approaches to AI, interactivity in mixed reality, and technologies for ageing well. He has published over 200 papers in these areas.

Key publications include 'Explainable reinforcement learning through a causal lens' (2020, Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence), 'Mediating intimacy: designing technologies to support strong-tie relationships' (2005, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems), 'Designing sports: a framework for exertion games' (2011, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems), 'Older adults as digital content producers' (2013, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems), and 'Combatting social isolation and increasing social participation of older adults through the use of technology: A systematic review of existing evidence' (2018, Australasian Journal on Ageing). Professor Vetere has received the CHISIG Medal for outstanding service to and promotion of Human-Computer Interaction in Australia (2011) and the HFESA Ron Cummins Award for highly esteemed research in human factors and ergonomics (2019). His work has significantly influenced HCI, particularly in social technologies and ageing.

Professional Email: f.vetere@unimelb.edu.au