User Centered Experiences (UCE).

Technology Campus Ghent

UCE is a research group that focuses on the development of practical and sustainable digital solutions where the end user is central. Affiliated with the Electronics-ICT program, we focus our research on three core areas: User Experience (UX), Data & AI and innovative mobile applications.

In our research vision, Data & AI and UX are no longer separate. We specifically explore the synergy between these domains: how UX principles can make AI systems more transparent and accessible, and how Data & AI can in turn enrich and personalize the user experience. Thus, we make complex AI predictions insightful for users and explore how AI can be responsibly deployed to optimize user experiences.

Our hands-on research results in tangible proof-of-concepts that translate technical innovation into accessible and sustainable solutions. To this end, we work closely with other research groups and partners in the field. Our research creates impact in various sectors, including healthcare and services.

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Our focus

Within UCE, we bundle our expertise around three research pillars:

  • User Centered Research: We explore how digital experiences can best meet the needs of end users through co-creation and user testing.
  • Data & AI: We explore the responsible use of AI for personalized user experiences as well as how to make AI itself more accessible.
  • Innovative web & mobile applications: We develop applications that translate technological innovation into practical, user-friendly solutions.

In all our research activities, these pillars reinforce each other, with due attention to security and privacy.

The User Experience Lab

In the User Experience Lab we put the user at the center according to the principles of User Centered Design. From the user's point of view, we investigate the need for and usefulness of new solutions through user testing or examine how and where existing solutions are experienced and can be optimized through usability testing.

Some of our projects

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Our story

In today's digital landscape, users are more critical than ever of technology solutions. We believe that technology becomes truly sustainable and accepted only when the needs of end users are central to the development process from the beginning.

What user experience means to us

We strive for an optimal user experience defined by 3 pillars:

  • Efficiency in use
  • Effectiveness of the solution
  • End-user satisfaction

We combine our expertise in User Centered Design, Data & AI and Web & Mobile Development to realize these three pillars. Because users often find it difficult to put into words exactly what they need, we apply co-creation - an approach in which we discover, together with end users, which solutions really work in their daily practice.

Our research is...

Our research is sustainable

We take an integrated view of sustainability in our research:

  • Our research approach and solutions are ethical. We handle data with care, in full compliance with GDPR guidelines.
  • Our research output is actively valorized in the field and society. We believe that applications that truly meet user needs automatically have a longer lifespan.
  • With every solution, we consider ecological, economic and social aspects, such as energy-efficient operation of soft- and hardware systems.

Our research is hands-on without market disruption

We strengthen the field by generating new knowledge and insights and investigating innovative solutions to practical problems. In doing so, we are always open to multidisciplinary collaboration.

In our approach, we carefully guard that our work does not distort the market:

  • We actively build collaboration with students through internships, undergraduate experiments and student projects.
  • Our applications are deliberate prototypes or proof-of-concepts that demonstrate value and potential but are therefore not necessarily market-ready.
  • We integrate the knowledge from our research into teaching and share it with companies through targeted workshops.

Our research is interdisciplinary

Technological solutions must be accessible to everyone. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we bring our technological knowledge to the field through innovation projects in various application domains.

In all these projects, the end user and his needs remain central. Through co-creation with experts from various fields (marketing, education, healthcare and more), our projects are inherently interdisciplinary, leading to richer and more effective solutions.

Our research is socially relevant

We focus on socially relevant challenges within business, healthcare and education. Our current projects and preparatory initiatives fall under these core themes:

  • Technological innovation in healthcare
  • Technological innovation in business and industry
  • Technological innovation in education

For these challenges, we take an integrated approach of hardware, software and user centered-design, tailored to the specific needs of each project.

Want more info on collaborative opportunities?

  • as a company
  • as a researcher
  • as a student or teacher

Please feel free to contact us to explore the possibilities.

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Our team