HCI The Story of HCI

An edited collection

The Story of HCI

Inspiring Reflections for the Next Generation

An edited collection of approximately 100 short, first-person reflections from people across human-computer interaction, capturing the moments, ideas, and experiences that have shaped the field.

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Edited by Elizabeth Churchill, Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Aaron Marcus, and Amanda Davis.

~100

short reflections about defining moments in human-computer interaction.

A curated collection of lived experience, historical context, and lessons for future HCI students and practitioners.

About the Project

A human-centered view of how HCI has evolved.

The Story of HCI: Inspiring Reflections for the Next Generation brings together approximately 100 short essays from people across human-computer interaction. Each contribution offers a personal reflection on a moment, idea, project, relationship, challenge, or transition that shaped the contributor’s understanding of the field.

Together, these essays create a broad, human-centered view of HCI: where the field has been, how it has changed, and what the next generation might learn from the people who helped shape it.

What We’re Looking For

Focused stories. Lived experience. Lasting insight.

We are seeking short, first-person reflections about defining moments in human-computer interaction. Each essay should focus on a specific moment, transition, experience, product, study, event, collaboration, challenge, or lesson that shaped the contributor’s understanding of HCI.

This is not intended to be a career retrospective, product history, company profile, technical overview, literature review, or promotional narrative. Strong contributions will be grounded in lived experience and will help readers understand not only what happened, but why it mattered.

Strong essays include:

  • A clearly defined moment in time
  • A personal connection to that moment
  • Context that helps readers understand its significance
  • Reflection on what changed, what was learned, or what was at stake
  • An insight or lesson that future HCI students, researchers, designers, and practitioners can carry forward

Contributors do not need to be the most senior or most widely recognized person connected to the moment. What matters is that the essay offers a perspective that could only come from the contributor’s own experience.

Across the full collection, the editors aim to include a wide range of voices, domains, generations, geographies, and perspectives.

Contributor interest form

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We are inviting contributors to complete a brief interest form so the editors can thoughtfully shape the full collection.

The form asks about your background, the specific HCI moment you would like to write about, your relationship to that moment, and the insight you hope readers will carry forward. Completing the form does not guarantee inclusion in the volume.

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What Happens Next

A curated collection shaped by the editors.

After contributors complete the interest form, the editors will review proposed essay topics and shape the collection as a whole. Selected contributors will be contacted with next steps, including essay guidelines, submission instructions, and the working editorial timeline.

Because the volume is designed as a curated collection of approximately 100 short reflections, final selections will consider both the strength of each proposed contribution and the balance of perspectives across the book.

Editors

Edited by Elizabeth Churchill, Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Aaron Marcus, and Amanda Davis.

Together, the editors bring perspectives across HCI research, design, usability, professional practice, education, publishing, and the broader evolution of human-computer interaction.

Related projects

Usability for the World World Usability Initiative

FAQ
Who should apply to contribute?

We welcome interest from people with direct, lived experience of a meaningful moment, transition, or shift in HCI. Contributors may come from academia, industry, research, design, engineering, product, policy, education, healthcare, government, nonprofits, consulting, or other related areas.

Do I need to be a senior or widely recognized HCI leader to contribute?

No. Contributors do not need to be the most senior or most widely recognized person connected to a particular moment. We are looking for thoughtful first-person reflections grounded in lived experience.

What should my essay be about?

Each essay should focus on a specific moment, experience, product, study, event, collaboration, challenge, or transition that shaped your understanding of HCI and offers insight for the next generation.

What is this book not looking for?

This volume is not intended for career retrospectives, company histories, product promotion, technical overviews, or academic literature reviews. The goal is a focused, reflective account of a meaningful HCI moment.

How long will the essay be?

Selected contributors will be invited to write a concise two-page essay. Full guidelines will be shared with accepted contributors.

Does completing the form guarantee inclusion?

No. The editors will review proposed contributions and shape the collection as a whole, considering both the strength of individual essays and the balance of perspectives across the volume.

What happens after I apply?

The editors will review interest forms and contact selected contributors with next steps, including essay guidelines, submission instructions, and access to the accepted-author information page.

Where can I ask questions?

Questions may be sent to storyofhci@gmail.com.

Share Your Story of HCI

HCI has been shaped by many people, places, decisions, technologies, tensions, and turning points.

We invite you to share a focused reflection on a moment that matters, and what the next generation can learn from it.

Apply to Contribute