About
Brock Craft is a teaching professor in the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington. Dr. Craft holds a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) from DePaul University in Chicago, and a PhD in Computer Science from University College London, where he studied at the UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC), an HCI research center. Craft was a co-founder of Tinker London, a design consultancy focused on creating products that bridge the digital and the physical. As a partner at Tinker London, Craft designed products and experiences for several high-profile clients including Sony, Nokia, and the BBC.
Abstract:
What does it mean to engineer with—not just for—people? In this talk, Brock introduces Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) as a response to a growing recognition: that many technical systems, however sophisticated, fall short when they overlook the messy, contextual, and deeply human dimensions of the world they aim to improve. Brock will explore how re-centering people in engineering practice raises new questions about purpose, process, and impact—questions that reach beyond any one engineering discipline. Through stories, reflection, and conversation, Brock will share what HCE looks like in practice, why it matters, and how educators, researchers, and institutions might support its growth. This talk invites those already doing this work to see themselves in a larger community, and those new to it to imagine new possibilities for engineering grounded in care, ethics, and shared understanding.