Karon E. MacLean

Karon MacLean is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia and an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of haptics and human-computer interaction. Her research primarily focuses on restoring the physicality of computer interaction, liberating it from desktop environments and embedding interaction at optimal points within the world. Professor MacLean has made groundbreaking contributions in areas such as emotional haptics, social robot interaction, and haptic icon design, developing innovative haptic systems like the "Haptic Creature." She is dedicated to exploring the applications of haptics in emotional communication, stress relief, and human-machine collaboration, establishing important theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies in haptic experience design. As a Peter Wall Fellow and Killam Research Fellow, her work has profoundly impacted the advancement of haptic technologies in consumer electronics, social robotics, and therapeutic applications.

• 1996-2000·Interval Research Corp.·Research Scientist
  • Conducted cutting-edge interaction technology research in an industrial research laboratory
• 2000-2010·University of British Columbia·Assistant Professor
  • Established haptic interaction research directions and began mentoring graduate students
• 2010-Present·University of British Columbia·Professor
  • Leads the haptics and human-computer interaction research team, undertaking interdisciplinary collaborative projects

• 1986·Stanford University·Bachelor’s Degree
  • Dual major in Biological Sciences and Mechanical Engineering
• 1988·Massachusetts Institute of Technology·Master’s Degree
  • Mechanical Engineering
• 1996·Massachusetts Institute of Technology·Doctorate
  • Mechanical Engineering, focused on haptic interaction research