Rate My Professor Peter Worthy

Dr. Peter Worthy serves as Lecturer in Human-Centred Computing in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Queensland. His academic background encompasses a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland completed in 2020 with a thesis entitled 'Setting wicked problems using design methods: People’s hesitancy to engage with the Internet of Things,' a Masters (Coursework) from the University of Queensland, a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queensland University of Technology, a Bachelor of Law from Queensland University of Technology, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Queensland University of Technology. Worthy's career has progressed from postdoctoral research fellow and project manager roles to his current lecturing position, where he applies design research and methods to technology development.

Worthy's research specializations lie in interaction design, human-computer interaction, and user experience design, with a strong emphasis on co-design and participatory design approaches. He focuses on creating accessible, usable, and acceptable technologies for people living with dementia, post-stroke aphasia, and other cognitive impairments, often framed through the Social Self-Determination model to align with users' intrinsic needs and values. His academic interests extend to human-centred artificial intelligence, assistive technology design, social robotics, Internet of Things, smart environments, and digital musical instruments. Worthy collaborates across multidisciplinary teams including speech pathology, occupational therapy, computer science, and psychology to advance ethical technology solutions. He contributes to major funded projects such as the NHMRC MRFF-supported Aphasia Treatment TranslAtIon Network (ATTAIN, 2024-2029), Enhancing utility of neuropsychological evaluation for earlier diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson's disease (2023-2028), Technology Assisted and Remotely Delivered Anxiety Psychotherapy Intervention for People living with Dementia (Tech-CBT, 2021-2026), the Florence Project in Human Centred Computing (2025-2026), and the ALIVE National Consortium for Equitable WellBeing and Mental Health Systems Transformation (2025-2030). Key publications include 'A Social Identity Theory of Digital Identity' (2026, Perspectives on Psychological Science, with Bingley, Wiles, and Haslam), 'Development of an mHealth application for self-management of post-stroke aphasia' (2025, International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, with Wallace et al.), 'Enhancing neuropsychological assessment clinical pathways in Parkinson's disease through the use of technology' (2025, Frontiers in Digital Health, with Lobo et al.), 'Trust me: doubts and concerns living with the internet of things' (2016, DIS, with Matthews and Viller), and his 2020 PhD thesis. His work impacts the field by promoting inclusive design practices and improving health outcomes through technology.