Rate My Professor Kirsten Ellis

Associate Professor Kirsten Ellis serves in the Department of Human Centred Computing within the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology from Monash University, awarded in 2008, a Masters of IT (Research) from the same institution in 2002, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Management from Deakin University in 1995. Throughout her career at Monash, she has undertaken significant teaching responsibilities, including serving as Chief Examiner for FIT3149 Maker Lab and lecturing in units such as FIT1012/FIT9027 Website Authoring, FIT2032/FIT3045 Industry-based Learning, and FIT2003 IT Professional Practice.

Ellis specializes in human-computer interaction, focusing on designing, developing, and evaluating technologies to create a more inclusive society, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Her research encompasses resources for teaching Australian Sign Language to hearing people using platforms like Nintendo DS, iPad, Kinect, and maker technologies such as eTextiles; accessible STEM making activities for those with physical or cognitive disabilities; accessibility solutions for blind and low-vision users; and technologies for anxiety detection and regulation. She has produced innovative tools like TapeBlocks, a making toolkit for people with intellectual disabilities. Her contributions have garnered major awards, including the 2022 Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for TapeBlocks; the 2024 Good Design Award in Social Impact for co-designing STEAM experiences with the Accessible Markervan; 2nd prize in the 2022 Make: Amazing Maker Awards Education category; the 2023 Women in Tech Social Impact Advocacy Award; and the Veski Inspiring Women Career Recovery Grant from 2021 to 2022. Key publications include 'TapeBlocks: a making toolkit for people living with intellectual disabilities' (2021), 'MIC, an interactive sign language teaching system' (2018), 'TronicBoards: an accessible electronics toolkit for people with intellectual disabilities' (2022), 'Creative Technologies in Action: Empowering Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities' (2024), and 'A critical review of multimodal-multisensor analytics for anxiety assessment' (2022). Her work advances inclusive technologies and STEM engagement for diverse populations.