Christine Satchell PhD 

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Digital identity and the relationship between constellations of technologies including, but not limited to, mobile devices, social networks, sensors, and urban screens.  Christine’s research also incorporates embodied interaction such as Xbox Kinect. Most recently, is a focus on Safe Cities and mobile technology for personal safety after dark.

Summary

  • Christine is a Melbourne based researcher in Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing and was the runner up in the Australian Women in Technology Awards 2014. 
  • Senior Research Fellow, Discovery Early Career Research Fellow (DECRA) and Vice Chancellor's Excellence Scholar in Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing with the Urban Informatics Research Lab at QUT.
  • She has worked extensively in the hybrid industry/academic space including projects for Sony Computer Science Labs in Paris, Nokia Research Labs in Norway, Novell, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and XBox.
  • She is the inventor of The Swarm mobile phone patent and prototypes which has featured in New Scientist and Wired, hundreds of blogs including Gizmodo and won numerous design awards.
  • As a leading commentator on issues relating to technology her research is regularly disseminated in public forums and Keynote Addresses. She appears regularly on the Evening News and across most major print and radio channels.
  • Christine has 87 peer reviewed publications in international Tier A conferences and journals. She is also the co-editor of the book, 'From Social Butterfly to Urban Citizen: The Evolution of the Mobile Phone User', published by MIT Press. 
  • In 2013 the Australian Government selected Christine’s project ‘Mobile Phones for Personal Safety After Dark’ as the work that best exemplified Australian research. The Acting Prime Minister presented her with a prestigious three year Discovery Research Grant to found the 'HCI After Dark' project which develops new technology for personal safety in the city.
  • Program Committe Member for leading HCI confercnes. Board Member for the Committee of the National Capital Authority in Canberra which is implementing new technology to educate people about the role of the National Capital. Advisor for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on their Digital Identity and The Internet Policy.
  • iPhone Hacks Youtube Channel with 20,000 hits.
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Australian Women in Technology of the Year Finalist
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The Acting Prime Minister presents Christine's Grant.
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Iphone tips

Background


  • Christine is originally from New York City where her mother (a Juilliard trained classical pianist) and her father (a professor in Neuropharmacology) met at Columbia University. 
  • Prior to her current career in Mobile Phone Design, Christine was a classical ballet dancer trained at The School of American Ballet in New York City and The Australian Ballet School. 
  • She played the role of Rachael on Neighbours.
  • She now lives in Melbourne, Australia. 

Current Project: Technology for Perosnal Safety
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​Overview

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that the biggest personal safety concern for those living in major cities was the fear of walking alone after dark. In response, the Personal Safety in the City: Design Solutions for After Dark research study seeks to gain a greater perspective of the needs of people in urban environments after dark by innovating understandings of people’s interactions at night.

The insights gained are being used to create, develop and trial real world design solutions that will enable urban residents to feel safer as they go about their nightly activities.
In 2013 the Australian Government selected Christine’s project Mobile Phones for Personal Safety After Dark as the work that best exemplified Australian research. 

The Acting Prime Minister presented her with a prestigious three years Discovery Early Career Research Grant (DECRA)  to fund the research. 

Key Publications    

Satchell, C., & Foth, M. Welcome to the Jungle: HCI After Dark. CHI 2011, Vancouver.

Satchell, C. & Foth M. Fear and Danger in Nocturnal Urban Environments". OzCHI, 2011. Melbourne.

Design Roles 

Christine actively engages with the international design community. Roles include:
  • Associate Chair for the world’s premier computer design conference CHI 2012 - 2015 
  • Technical Program Chair for Horizon CSCW in China 2011.
  • Technical Program Chair for OzCHI 2008. 
  • Video chair for Ubicomp in Tokyo.

Keynotes

Regular Keynote Addresses

Recent examples:

  • 'Electric Avenue: Power to the People' - The International Urban Design Conference.
  • 'I'm Not Alone: I'm With My Phone' - Safe Cities.
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'I'm Not Alone: I'm With My Phone'. Safe Cities
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'Electric Avenue: Power to the People' The International Urban Design Conference
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'From Social Butterfly to Urban Citizen: Urban Informatics, Social Media, Ubiquitous Computing, and Mobile Technology to Support Citizen Engagement’. Published by MIT Press

Publications

Over 87 publications in top international peer reviewed journals and conferences such as CHI, Ubicomp and SIGGRAPH. 

Research cited by 628.

Co-editor the co-editor of the MIT Press book, 'From Social Butterfly to Urban Citizen: Urban Informatics, Social Media, Ubiquitous Computing, and Mobile Technology to Support Citizen Engagement’. 

Media

As a leading commentator on human engagement with technology Christine makes regularly appearances on mainstream media platforms. Her research has been covered by New Scientist, Wired Magazine, and over 60 Internet blogs such as Gizmodo.