Alexandra Covaci

schoolUniversity of Kentbar_chart#732 Global Rank

Total Papers

HCI Rank

#732

Research Areas

Years Active

Recent Publications

Looking inside the VR Music Scene: Mapping Platforms, Events and People

Music is increasingly performed and experienced in Social Virtual Reality (Social VR), from VRChat raves to high-production concerts on bespoke platforms. Yet Human-Computer-Interaction (HCI) research still focuses mainly on building new VR systems rather than examining the communities that already create and sustain…

CHI '261st AuthorHonorable MentionSocial & Collaborative VR +4

When the World Opens up: Journeys of People with Intellectual Disabilities in Social Virtual Reality

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) face systemic social exclusion that narrows autonomy and life opportunities. While social virtual reality (VR) offers a powerful medium for identity expression and community belonging, research often adopts a remedial paradigm, focusing on training functional skills in script…

CHI '26CorrespondingDeveloping Countries & HCI for Development (HCI4D) +3

Building Care That Fits Its People: Insights from Social-Media–Enabled Community-Based Rehabilitation in Thailand

Digital health interventions in the Global South often rely on transmission models, assuming that delivering correct medical information yields better care. We challenge this view through an analysis of a multi-platform social media intervention for Community-Based stroke Rehabilitation(CBR) in rural Thailand. Followi…

DIS '25CorrespondingSpecial Education Technology +2

Building a Digital Ecosystem for Community-Based Rehabilitation: Insights from a Multi-Platform Social Media Strategy in Thailand

Access to rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains critically limited due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and shortages of trained professionals. Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) addresses these gaps by involving patients, families, and local stakeholders, ye…

DIS '254th AuthorSocial & Collaborative VR +2

To Cuddle, Mingle, Venture, or Guide: How Architectural Affordances Influence the Experience of Social VR Places

Social virtual reality (VR) encompasses a growing network of three-dimensional virtual worlds where users interact in a shared, embodied way. While research has focused on the social interactions between the users themselves, less is known about how the design of virtual spaces influences these interactions. Our study…

CHI '253rd AuthorHonorable MentionVR Medical Training & Rehabilitation +1

Creating with Care: Co-Designing Immersive Experiences through Art-Making with People Living with Dementia

This paper explores the integration of co-design and art-making in developing technologies that support personhood in dementia care. While technologies for dementia care have advanced, there remains a gap in creating solutions that are directly informed by the experiences of people living with dementia and support the…

DIS '24CorrespondingDigital Art Installations & Interactive Performance +1

Remote Rhythms: Audience-Informed Insights for Designing Remote Music Performances

This paper examines the design of technology for remote music performances, from the perspective of their audiences. In this process, we involved a total of 104 participants across the different stages of our project. Initially, we collected qualitative data from remote audiences using several methods, including surve…

CHI '245th+ AuthorConversational Chatbots +2

MindTalker: Navigating the Complexities of AI-Enhanced Social Engagement for People with Early-Stage Dementia

People living with dementia are at risk of social isolation, and conversational AI agents can potentially support such individuals by reducing their loneliness. In our study, a conversational AI agent, called MindTalker, co-designed with therapists and utilizing the GPT-4 Large Language Model (LLM), was developed to s…

CHI '233rd AuthorConversational Chatbots +2

The "Conversation" about Loss: Understanding How Chatbot Technology was Used in Supporting People in Grief.

While conversational agents have traditionally been used for simple tasks such as scheduling meetings and customer service support, recent advancements have led researchers to examine their use in complex social situations, such as to provide emotional support and companionship. For mourners who could be vulnerable to…

CHI '231st AuthorTechnology Ethics & Critical HCI +2

No Pie in the (Digital) Sky: Co-Imagining the Food Metaverse

Human behaviour and habits co-evolve with technology, and the metaverse is poised to become a key player in reshaping how we live our everyday life. Given the importance of food in our daily lives, we ask: how will our relationships with food be transformed by the metaverse, and what are the promises and pitfalls of t…

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