Spatial Area Cursors - Introducing the Proxemic Cursor
A user-centred research project to make spatial touchless interactions faster, easier, and more comfortable.
Kieran Waugh
PhD Candidate - User Experience
University of Glasgow
About Me
PhD-level user experience researcher bridging human-computer interaction theory and UX practice, specialising in user research and experience. Expert in designing and executing mixed-methods studies and controlled user tests, transforming complex user data into compelling interaction flows, visualisations, and high-fidelity prototypes. Adept at driving iterative, human-centred design processes for complex hardware/software ecosystems, ensuring final products are intuitive and grounded in real-world user needs.
Interests
- Human-Computer Interaction
- User Research
- User Studies
- Interaction Design
- UX Design
- User Experience
- Interaction Techniques
- Extended Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Virtual Reality
Experience
Research Assistant - Immersive Interaction
University of Glasgow | June 2025 - Present
Spearheaded the analysis of multiple research projects. My role consists of engineering prototypes and completing both quantitative and qualitative analysis to communicate findings to stakeholders.
Extended Reality Research Intern
Logitech | Summer 2024
Designed and led user studies for the MX-Ink mixed-reality stylus, informing key design decisions in collaboration with Meta that were shipped in publicly released software and OS. My research pinpointed discrepancies in how humans hold devices and how finger moment affects interaction within virtual environments.
Digital Skills Project Research Assistant (Part-time)
Digital Skills Education | June 2020 - Present
Collaborated with the Scottish government, Education Scotland, and national trade unions to pioneer new methods of teaching complex computer science. I helped design and launch innovative online learning modules for young people while separately developing and delivering hands-on cyber skills workshops to enhance the technical competency and digital confidence of older adults.
Assistant Technical Program Chair (Volunteer)
ACM CHI Conference 2025 | August 2022 - May 2024
Helped organise CHI' 24, conference of over 4000 attendees. My role consisted of creating the technical programme, managing aspects of the peer-review process, and directing a volunteer workforce of over 100 people.
Education
PhD - Human Computer Interaction
University of Glasgow | October 2021 - Febuary 2026
Thesis - Designing for Comfort and Efficiency in Mid-Air Spatial Interfaces
MSc By Research - Human Computer Interaction
The University of Edinburgh | Septemebr 2020 - September 2021
Thesis - Don't Touch Me! An Exploration of Interface Design for Touchless Systems
BSc - Computer Science
The University of Edinburgh | Septemebr 2016 - September 2020
Thesis - Exploring navigation for visually impaired pedestrians through physical landmarks
Featured Projects
Investigating High-Precision Input for XR Styluses (MX Ink)
A two-part investigation into the accuracy of 3D stylus selection (the Heisenberg Effect) and the design of new gestures (Double-Tap).
Featured Publications
Everything to Gain: Combining Area Cursors with increased Control-Display Gain for Fast and Accurate Touchless Input
In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '25), 2025
Proxemic Cursor Interactions for Touchless Widget Control
In ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction (SUI '23), 2023
Push or Pinch? Exploring Slider Control Gestures for Touchless User Interfaces
In Nordic Human-Computer Interaction (NordiCHI '22), 2022
Get in Touch
I'm always open to discussing new research, projects, or potential jobs and collaborations. Feel free to reach out via email or connect with me on social media.
- website[at]kieranwaugh.com
- Glasgow, Scotland
- linkedin.com/in/kieranwaugh/