Invited Lecture: Rafael Calvo, PhD and Dorian Peters

In this lecture, Rafael Calvo, Ph,D. and Dorian Peters will present: Positive Computing: Technologies for Compassion and Well-being. This event is an hour-long lecture followed by questions from the audience. The talk will be recorded and posted to CCARE’s YouTube Channel and website several weeks after the event.

Rafael A. Calvo is Director of the Positive Computing Lab at the University of Sydney. His work focuses on the design of systems that support psychological wellbeing in areas of mental health, medicine and education. He has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and has worked at Carnegie Mellon University, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, and as a consultant for technology projects worldwide. Rafael is author of over 150 publications in the areas of affective computing, learning systems, and web engineering, is the recipient of five teaching awards, and is a Senior Member of IEEE. Rafael is Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing and IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. His publications include the Oxford Handbook of Affective Computing and Positive Computing: Technology for wellbeing and human potential from MIT Press. He is also research leader at the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre.

Dorian is a specialist in design for learning and wellbeing. She leads online strategy at the Faculty of Education at the University of Sydney, is a member of the Centre for Research on Computer Supported Learning and Cognition, and is Creative Leader at the Positive Computing Lab. Her current work explores the use of design to support resilience, autonomy, and compassion in digital experience. Dorian has designed for organizations such as Carnegie Mellon, Cambridge, Westpac Bank and Sony Music. Her books include Interface Design for Learning and Positive Computing (forthcoming from MIT Press). She has a Bachelors from Carnegie Mellon.

More about the talk: We believe we’re seeing a shift in the focus of modern technologies, in which multidisciplinary efforts to support human flourishing will change how we design for digital experience. We refer to the design and development of technology to support wellbeing and human potential as “positive computing”. As a research-based foundation for this emerging field, we have developed a framework centered on the many determinants of wellbeing, among which are of course, compassion and altruism. In this talk, we will share compelling evidence that, with conscious design, technology has the power to increase compassion and altruism in the real world and we provide proven examples. We will also propose design strategies for protecting against burn-out by supporting resilient compassion. Finally, we look at a way forward and how we might build a future in which all technology is designed to support the flourishing of individuals, communities and society. To find out more visit positivecomputing.org.

Registration: Registration is required for access to seating before the event starts. Non-registrants are still welcome to come. Any available seats will offered on a first-come, first-serve basis once the event begins.