Spotlight Series
#SpotlightOfTheMonth – Third Edition
In this edition of the series, we are showcasing Nic Bidwell, the founding technical co-chair of Africa Human Computer Interaction Conference (AfriCHI) in 2016.
Prof Nicola Bidwell was founding technical co-chair of the inaugural AfriCHI in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2016 (Proceedings chair in 2021, DM Consortium chair in 2023). She has striven to support African leadership, has mentored and co-authored with many early-career African researchers and continues to push for better recognition of African scholars, such as on international program committees and the SIGCHI EC.
- Nic put ‘decolonizing technology’ into HCI’s field of view and believes international HCI has much to learn from the African Ubuntu philosophy
- She is most comfortable in facilitating rural communities to do their own research on their own terms (e.g. building the capacity that led to Zenzeleni Bahlali iNetworks.
#SpotlightOfTheMonth – Second Edition
The second edition of this series is showcasing the co-chair of the Africa Human Computer Interaction Conference (AfriCHI) in 2016, Christopher Chepken. Here presented is a seasoned teacher with a deep passion for AfriCHI Project
Christopher Chepken is a seasoned trainer, lecturer, and researcher in the field of Computer Science, specializing in ICT4D, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer and Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Mobile Application Development, and Data Science. Having done ICT4D/ICTD research and consultancy in urban commuting challenges-telecommuting; Software Engineering; Health; Agriculture and Business process outsourcing, Christopher brings a wealth of considerate experience in carrying out ICT and development related to work. He has experience both as a practitioner and as a researcher from East and Southern African countries. On innovation and current computing trends, Christopher has gained considerable experience in data collection, cleaning, and analytics. He is also an experienced mentor and jurist on matters of innovation, having worked with the Kenya Innovation Agency Innovation award program for three years.
- He is the coordinator of the postgraduate studies at the Department of Computing and Informatics, University of Nairobi.
- Christopher was co-chair founder of AfriCHI 2016 held in Nairobi Kenya.
#SpotlightOfTheMonth – First Edition
The first edition of this series showcases the initiator and co-chair of the inaugural Africa Human Computer Interaction Conference (AfriCHI).
Prof. Anicia Peters initiated and co-chaired the inaugural Africa Human Computer Interaction (AfriCHI) in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2016 and currently serves as special advisor to AfriCHI. She has established ACM Chapter in Namibia and mobilized Pan African researchers to drive HCI in Africa. She has been promoting the HCI curriculum and driving researchers in the continent. She continues to be the voice of the African HCI community each time she has an opportunity even at international events or conferences. She is a key player in the Green Hydrogen space where digitalization plays a crucial role. She is currently the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development at the University of Namibia.
- She was inducted into the Namibian Business Hall of Fame under a special category on 19 November 2022.
- She was appointed as Chairperson of the Namibia Presidential Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution