Hello, I am Fernando! I am a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at Swansea University in the Department of Computer Science housed in the Computational Foundry on the Bay Campus.

Previously, I was a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and member of the GroupLens Research Center. I obtained a Ph.D. degree in Informatics from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University. I also have a Master’s degree in Informatics from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics at the University of Iowa.

Research
My research investigates the use of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research methods with marginalized and vulnerable populations to design technologies with them rather than for them. I use surveys, interviews, observation, and participatory design methods in both in-person and online settings. In particular, I employ Participatory Design (PD) under the lenses of value-sensitive and speculative design to involve stakeholders in the design and development of a more ethical, inclusive, and equitable technology from the very beginning and throughout all the stages of the design process. I strive for amplifying the voice of those who are impacted by technology and allowing researchers and practitioners to be aware of potential negative impacts that such technologies may have on stakeholders.

Teaching & Mentorship
I am currently a lecturer in Data Visualization for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Computer Science at Swansea University. I have ample experience teaching for a variety of courses in Informatics for undergraduate and graduate level. Examples of courses taught include Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction Design, Multimedia, and User Experience Design.

I also mentor undergraduate students and supervise undergraduate dissertation projects. I have also served as a mentor for underrepresented undergraduate students during the i3Program and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer program at Indiana University and at the University of Minnesota. I also collaborated in the creation of the Luddy Ambassador Graduate Program at Indiana University to help with the on-boarding of prospective and incoming graduate students.