My name is Inemesit Emmanuel from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. My journey into the field of Human-Computer Interaction began during my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of East London where I wanted to build a discussion forum for residential students as my final year project. To create something students would actually use and would make their lives easier, I started by interviewing them as I wanted to understand their true needs and preferences for a discussion forum. It was during these conversations that I realised how much I enjoyed the process of gathering user feedback. This was more than just coding, it was about understanding people and designing a solution that truly met their needs. With the insights from those interviews, I sketched out wireframes for the forum. That experience – the back and forth between understanding user needs, designing, and developing – made me fall in love with the entire process.

After that project, I knew I wanted to explore this intersection of technology and human behaviour further. I started digging into UX and stumbled across Masters in Human-Computer Interaction Design at City, University of London. The more I read about the programme, the more it felt like the perfect next step for me. So, I applied and got accepted. What I loved most about the programme was that the courses we were taught had a perfect blend of deep, theoretical understanding and hands-on application. We were not just learning about design principles or research methods in a vacuum; we were constantly applying these concepts to real-world problems, which made the learning experience dynamic and engaging. When it was time to choose a dissertation topic, I selected one that was close to my heart: TikTok algorithm bias and its impact on Black users. This was an eye-opener as I explored how algorithms, which are often seen as neutral and objective, can actually perpetuate biases, particularly against marginalised groups. I conducted controlled simulations on TikTok, alongside interviews with Black TikTok users to gather their experiences and perspectives, and the findings were both enlightening and troubling.

This dissertation not only deepened my understanding of algorithmic bias but also strengthened my dedication to ethical design and advocating for fairness in technology. In my graduation speech as the student speaker, I emphasised the importance of ethical considerations in the technology we create and encouraged my fellow graduates to uphold the principles of inclusivity and fairness that the HCID programme has instilled in me. It was a true honor to inspire others to carry forward these essential values in their future careers.

Since graduating in January 2024, I have been working as a User Researcher at City University and had the opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects, such as the Longitude Prize for Dementia in partnership with Memory Lane Games. This project involved working with people living with dementia to develop a game that integrates AI to adapt to each user’s needs while supporting their memory and cognitive function. Currently, I am working on another project to redesign the university’s website. The goal is to streamline the application process and enhance the overall user experience for future and current students. Looking forward, I am committed to advancing in the field of user experience design, focusing on creating technologies that are both accessible and inclusive. My HCID experience has provided me with a deep understanding of user needs and ethical design practices, which are crucial as I strive to develop technology that not only meets user expectations but also addresses their broader needs and challenges effectively.