Maryam Bandukda

My PhD research explores how assistive technologies can facilitate nature-based experiences for visually impaired people (VIPs). I'm investigating how VIPs currently use technology when outdoors, their needs in outdoor nature and open spaces, and barriers experienced due to inaccessibility of the environment or of technology. I'm also interested in the efficacy of current orientation and mobility training practices in open space exploration for VIPs. Having an understanding of VIP's attitudes towards technology and outdoor mobility and exploration, I aim to investigate how technology can motivate VIPs to engage with outdoor nature.

Brief biography

Prior to joining UCLIC as a PhD student, I completed MSc Human-Computer Interaction at UCLIC in 2017. My dissertation looked at the accessibility and accuracy of current GPS-based navigation technologies (mobile apps and standalone assistive navigation tech for VIPs) when navigating the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Previously I've worked as a Business Analyst and Digital Project Manager for Springer-Nature (previously Nature Publishing Group).