HCI The Story of HCI

Current volume in development

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. The initial call for contributions drew extraordinary interest, and work on the current volume is now underway.

Future Contribution Interest About the Current Volume

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

~100

short reflections in the current volume 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.

The Current Volume

The first call is complete, and the collection is underway.

We received a much larger and more compelling response to our initial call for contributions than anticipated. With space for approximately 100 short reflections, the editors had to make difficult choices based on available space, the overall balance of topics, and how individual contributions fit together across the collection.

Selection was not first-come, first-served. In shaping the volume, the editors sought a wide range of voices, domains, generations, geographies, experiences, and perspectives that could collectively tell a richer story of HCI.

Already applied?

If you submitted an interest form and cannot find our response, or you are unsure of your application status, you can send us a status inquiry.

Future contribution interest

Interested in a future volume?

The strong response to this project has led the editors to consider a follow-up volume or a related future project. We cannot yet promise that another volume will move forward, but we welcome continued interest from people with stories that can deepen and broaden the history of HCI.

Whether you applied previously or are discovering the project for the first time, you are welcome to submit an interest form. Previous applicants may also submit a new or updated idea. New submissions are for possible future opportunities and will not be added to the current volume.

Submit Future Interest

Submitting interest does not guarantee a future volume or inclusion.

The Stories We Value

Focused stories. Lived experience. Lasting insight.

The project centers on short, first-person reflections about defining moments in human-computer interaction. Strong stories 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. The strongest contributions are grounded in lived experience and help readers understand not only what happened, but why it mattered.

Strong stories 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 story offers a perspective that could only come from the contributor’s own experience.

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

Application status & project questions

Can’t find our response?

If you applied to the original call and cannot locate our response, are unsure of your status, or have another question about the project, send us a note here. If possible, include the email address you used when you applied so we can locate your submission.

You can also email us directly at storyofhci@gmail.com.

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
Is the current volume still accepting contributors?

No. The initial selection process is complete and work on the current volume is underway. New interest forms will be considered only for possible future opportunities.

Can I still express interest in contributing?

Yes. The response to the project has led the editors to consider a follow-up volume or related future project. You are welcome to submit an interest form, but another volume has not yet been confirmed and submitting does not guarantee inclusion.

I applied before. Should I apply again?

You are welcome to submit a new or updated idea for possible future opportunities. If you simply want to know the status of your original application, use the application-status form above rather than submitting another proposal.

How were contributors selected for the current volume?

The current volume was curated as a collection rather than selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Decisions considered available space, the strength and fit of individual proposals, the balance of topics, and the range of voices, domains, generations, geographies, and perspectives represented across the book.

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

No. The project values thoughtful first-person reflections grounded in lived experience. A compelling perspective can come from many roles, career stages, domains, and parts of the world.

What kind of story fits the project?

Stories 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.

How long are essays in the current volume?

Selected contributors to the current volume were invited to write concise two-page essays. Guidelines for any future project may differ.

Where can I ask questions?

Use the application-status and project-question form, or email storyofhci@gmail.com.

Future Stories of HCI

HCI has been shaped by more stories than one volume can hold.

If you have a focused reflection that could help future students and practitioners understand how the field evolved, we welcome your interest in possible future volumes or related projects.

Submit Future Interest