Hi! I'm Luke, a Senior UX Researcher with a PhD
in Human-Computer Interaction from LMU Munich in Germany.

My research focuses on digital wellbeing, the future of work, AI bias, LLM agents, and anything else I find interesting. Previously, I've co-founded a company and worked at an early-stage neurotech startup. I have a masters in Biomedical Engineering from UBC in Vancouver and a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University.

Portfolio

As a UX Researcher and Engineer, I love to build prototypes and conduct mixed-methods evaluations to understand how users interact with technology. I've investigated topics in workplace wellbeing, knowledge management, medical devices, and AI bias.

Smartphone Overuse Interventions

Axem Neurotechnology:
Axem Pro Headset

Technology-Supported Walking Meetings

Mindpalace

Autonomous Standing Desks

The Social Journal

CV

Download CV

Education

2019 - 2024

PhD in Human-Computer Interaction

LMU Munich | Media Informatics Group

Munich, Germany
  • Thesis: Designing Behavior Change Technologies for Workplace Wellbeing
  • Focus: HCI, UX research, UX design, field studies, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, mixed-methods, prototyping
  • GPA: Summa cum laude (4.0)
2015 - 2017

MASc in Biomedical Engineering

University of British Columbia | Surgical Technologies Lab

Vancouver, Canada
  • Thesis: A Clinical C-arm Base-Tracking System Using Computer Vision for Intraoperative Guidance
  • Focus: Biomedical engineering, computer vision, computer assisted surgery, medical devices
  • GPA: 3.94/4.0
2012 - 2015

BEng in Mechanical Engineering

Dalhousie University

Halifax, Canada
  • Senior Project: Feasibility of 3D scanning and printing for prosthetic limb sockets
  • Sexton Scholar each year for a high academic average.
  • GPA: 4.11/4.3
2010 - 2012

Diploma in Engineering

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, Canada
  • Dean's List each year for a high academic average.
  • GPA: 3.96/4.0

Work Experience

2019 - Present

UX Researcher

LMU Munich | Media Informatics Group

Munich, Germany
  • Conduct literature research, identify appropriate research questions, and design user studies
  • Conduct field- and lab-based user studies
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data
  • Lead multi-national research projects in teams of 3 to 9 people
  • Teach Masters-level courses (e.g., Intelligent User interfaces, Practical Machine Learning)
  • Supervise 30+ theses/project/seminar students
  • Organize lab events and present research at international venues
2021 - 2022

Co-Founder & CTO

Mindpalace

Munich, Germany
  • Conducted qualitative user research to understand customer needs & inform product design
  • Designed and developed (full-stack) iOS, Android, & Web apps for Mindpalace, a B2C product
  • Conducted quantitative user research and A/B testing to inform ongoing product development
  • Built the company from the ground up, establishing norms and processes
  • Developed corporate strategy, pitched the company, procured funding, and led the development team
2017 - 2019

Mechanical Engineering Lead

Axem Neurotechnology

Halifax, Canada
  • Led the mechanical engineering team and reported directly to the CTO
  • Designed and developed all mechanical aspects of the Axem Pro headset, a medical device for stroke rehabilitation
  • Coordinated production and design with electrical and software teams and international manufacturers
  • Rapidly generated prototypes and conducted user tests to optimize for performance, user experience, and safety
2015 - 2017

Biomedical Engineering Researcher

University of British Columbia | Surgical Technologies Lab

Vancouver, Canada
  • Conducted engineering research exploring computer vision as a means for C-arm fluoroscopy tracking
  • Developed custom software to track C-arm movements using computer vision
  • Designed & implemented custom hardware prototypes
  • Conducted quantitative tests to evaluate performance and update the design through an iterative design process

Publications

Google Scholar

2024

Luke Haliburton, Jan Leusmann, Robin Welsch, Sinksar Ghebremedhin, Petros Isaakidis, Albrecht Schmidt, Sven Mayer. Uncovering Labeler Bias in Machine Learning Annotation Tasks. In AI and Ethics. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-024-00572-w

Luke Haliburton, Sinksar Ghebremedhin, Robin Welsch, Albrecht Schmidt, Sven Mayer. Investigating Labeler Bias in Face Annotation for Machine Learning. In HHAI '24: Proceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Hybrid Human-Artificial Intelligence. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3233/FAIA240191

Luke Haliburton, David J. Grüning, Frederik Riedel, Albrecht Schmidt, Nađa Terzimehić. A Longitudinal In-the-Wild Investigation of Design Frictions to Prevent Smartphone Overuse. In CHI '24: Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642370

Sophia Sakel, Tabea Blenk, Albrecht Schmidt, and Luke Haliburton. The Social Journal: Investigating Technology to Support and Reflect on Meaningful Social Interactions. In CHI '24: Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642411

Luke Haliburton, Ida Damen, Carine Lallemand, Jasmin Niess, Aino Ahtinen, and Paweł W. Woźniak. Office Wellbeing by Design: Don't Stand for Anything Less. In CHI '24: Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613905.3636284

Rosa van Koningsbruggen, Luke Haliburton, Beat Rossmy, Ceenu George, Eva Hornecker, and Bart Hengeveld. Metaphors and `Tacit' Data: the Role of Metaphors in Data and Physical Data Representations. In TEI '24: Proceedings of the 2024 TEI Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3623509.3633355

2023

Luke Haliburton, Beat Rossmy, Albrecht Schmidt, Ceenu George. An Exploration of Hidden Data: Identifying and Physicalizing Personal Virtual Data to Extend Co-located Communication. In MUM '23: Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Media. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3626705.3627788

Luke Haliburton, Benedikt Pirker, Paolo Holinski, Albrecht Schmidt, Paweł W. Woźniak, Matthias Hoppe. VR-Hiking: Physical Exertion Benefits Mindfulness and Positive Emotions in Virtual Reality. In MobileHCI '23: Proceedings of the ACM on Human Computer Interaction. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3604263

Luke Haliburton, Saba Kheirinejad, Albrecht Schmidt, Sven Mayer. Exploring Smart Standing Desks to Foster a Healthier Workplace. In IMWUT '23: Interactive Mobile Wearable Ubiquitous Technology. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3596260

Luke Haliburton, Natalia Bartłomiejczyk, Albrecht Schmidt, Paweł W. Woźniak, and Jasmin Niess. The Walking Talking Stick: Understanding Automated Note-Taking in Walking Meetings. In CHI '23: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3580986

Francesco Chiossi, Luke Haliburton, Changkun Ou, Andreas Butz, Albrecht Schmidt. Short-Form Videos Degrade Our Capacity to Retain Intentions: Effect of Context Switching On Prospective Memory. In CHI '23: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3580778

Luke Haliburton, Svenja Schoett, Linda Hirsch, Robin Welsch, Albrecht Schmidt. Feeling the Temperature of the Room: Unobtrusive Thermal Display of Engagement during Group Communication. In IMWUT '23: Interactive Mobile Wearable Ubiquitous Technology. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3580820

2022

Luke Haliburton, Lammel, Maximilian; Karolus, Jakob; Schmidt, Albrecht Think Inside the Box: Investigating the Consequences of Everyday Physical Opt-Out Strategies for Mindful Smartphone Use. In MUM '22: Proceedings of the 2022 Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Media. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1145/3568444.3568452

Nađa Terzimehić, Luke Haliburton, Philipp Greiner, Albrecht Schmidt, Heinrich Hussmann, Ville Mäkelä. MindPhone: Mindful Reflection at Unlock Can Reduce Absentminded Smartphone Use. In DIS '22: Designing Interactive Systems Conference. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1145/3532106.3533575

Luke Haliburton, Mari Kruse, Christopher Voit, Albrecht Schmidt. MentalBuddy: Expanding Access to Mental Healthcare Through Conversational Agents. In CUI@CHI: Ethics of Conversational User Interfaces. A CHI '22 workshop. 2022.

2021

Luke Haliburton, Paweł W. Woźniak, Albrecht Schmidt, Jasmin Niess. Charting the Path: Requirements and Constraints for Technology-Supported Walking Meetings. In CSCW '21: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, Volume 5, Issue CSCW2. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1145/3476088

Luke Haliburton, Alexander Heimerl, Stephanie Böhme, Elisabeth André, Albrecht Schmidt. Teaching Ethics as a Creative Subject: Ideas From an Interdisciplinary Workshop. In IEEE Pervasive Computing. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1109/MPRV.2021.3094814

Luke Haliburton, Matthias Hoppe, Albrecht Schmidt, Thomas Kosch. Quick, Print this Page! The Value of Analogue Media in a Digital World. In altCHI '21: Extended Abstracts of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1145/3411763.3450375

2020

Luke Haliburton, Albrecht Schmidt. Move, Collaborate, and Iterate: Improving the Work From Home Experience. In Virtual Symposium on The New Future of Work. 2020. Link to paper.

Luke Haliburton, Hooman Esfandiari, Pierre Guy, Carolin Anglin, Antony Hodgson. A Visual Odometry Base-Tracking System for Intraoperative C-arm Guidance. In IJCARS: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-020-02229-5

Luke Haliburton, Albrecht Schmidt. Technologies for Healthy Work. In Interactions. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1145/3386391

Mikolaj Woźniak, Sebastian Feger, Matthias Hoppe, Thomas Kosch, Stephanie van de Sandt, Jakob Karolus, Luke Haliburton, Paweł W. Woźniak, Albrecht Schmidt, Jasmin Niess. MaDrone: Using Drones to Facilitate Connectedness Across Geographic Boundaries. In iHDI@CHI: A CHI '20 Workshop. 2020.

About Me

I'm an avid adventurer in all seasons. In summers I love long distance hiking, camping, and bouldering. When the weather gets frosty I freeride and backcountry ski and play hockey. I also travel, practice yoga, and (try to) play guitar.
I was born and raised in the small town of Antigonish on the east coast of Canada. Since then, I've lived around the world in Halifax, Vancouver, Shenzhen, and Munich.

Contact

If you're interested in chatting or collaborating, please feel free to reach out at:
info(at)lukehaliburton.com