Karyn Moffat facts for kids

Karyn Moffatt is a Canadian computer scientist who helps make computers work better for people. She is a professor at McGill University in Montreal, where she studies how people use technology. She also holds a special award called the Canada Research Chair for her work on making technology fair for everyone.

Making Computers Easier to Use

Karyn Moffatt's research focuses on an area called human-computer interaction. This means she studies how people and computers work together. Her goal is to make sure technology is easy and helpful for all users.

One part of her work is called computer accessibility. This is about making sure computers and websites can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities or older adults. For example, she looks at how to design apps or websites so they are simple to navigate for someone who might have trouble seeing or using a mouse.

She also researches persuasive technology. This kind of technology is designed to help people make good choices. For instance, it could be an app that encourages you to exercise more or save energy. Karyn Moffatt explores how these tools can be built in a way that is helpful and not pushy.

Her Education and Early Work

Karyn Moffatt studied at the University of British Columbia in Canada. She earned her first degree there, and then continued her studies to get her Ph.D. in 2010. A Ph.D. is the highest university degree you can get, and it means you've done a lot of original research.

Her big research project for her Ph.D. was about how older adults sometimes find it hard to use touchscreens or pens on computers. It was called Addressing Age-Related Pen-Based Target Acquisition Difficulties. She worked with her supervisor, Joanna McGrenere, to find ways to make these technologies easier for everyone, no matter their age.