Kari Rönkkö

My History. My research career began with understanding what a method is and can be, while simultaneously conducting action research in collaboration with an IT company over eight years. The action research focused on usability and user experience. The main emphases in my research have been on user-centered design, the design process, participatory design, user experience, ethnographically informed ethnomethodology, action research, and cooperative method development. Alongside these, I have also researched how organizational decisions affect the possibilities for user-centered design. Beyond this core, I have also been interested in the design of ICT school solutions for developing countries, understanding the effects of social media, motivation apps, and sensors on both private and work life. Recently, I have explored sustainable urban development through co-creation, "sustainable city co-creation". By combining local knowledge with professional expertise and a design-oriented approach, cities can better meet residents' needs, promote innovation, and simultaneously strengthen resilience against climate and global changes (for results, see Hållbar och Samskapande Stadsutveckling, HÅSS under my projects).

Ongoing Research: In recent years, I have delved deeper into what artificial intelligence (AI) is and can be for humans. One ongoing research track here is how AI can be integrated into education in a valuable, ethical, and well-thought-out way - with particular focus on the development of the teacher's role and student learning in today's rapidly changing digital era (for results, see Utbildning och Artificiell Intelligens, UTAI under my projects).

Furthermore, I am investigating how we can make AI technology more accessible and comprehensible. How can interaction design help bridge the gap between inscrutable algorithms and humans? (for results, see Interaktionsdesign och Artificiell Intelligens, INAI under my projects).

I also maintain a connection to previous research tracks through a doctoral student who is investigating how a sensor measuring movements and balance could predict the risk of falling among healthy elderly people (for results, see Sensor-baserad Screening av Seniorers Fallrisk, SESS under my projects).

My main personal research interest lies in understanding the limitations and strengths of humans when confronted with digital technology such as today's emerging AI - challenging conventional methods and knowledge contributions while seeking alternative explanations and new creative design alternatives or explanations.

I am one of the initiators and research leaders for the research environment Design A* Research Collaboration – DARC at Kristianstad University. 

At HKR, we have switched to another research portal. Unfortunately, much of my research and teaching results have not been automatically transferred to this portal's presentation of me. Therefore, my extensive history of projects, publications, supervision, and various indices, etc... are missing here.

Before my time at Kristianstad University, I was employed at Lund University and Blekinge Institute of Technology. I have teaching experience at both undergraduate and advanced levels in the areas of computer science, software engineering, work science, technology and social change, and informatics with a focus on design. If you would like to know more about my teaching and research, you are welcome to contact me. Google Scholar can serve as another service where you can find more of my publications, https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=McBgI1YAAAAJ&hl=en

If you want to know more about my teaching and research, you are most welcome to contact me.