Research Areas

Research Areas

Collaboration in software development

The work of software development is highly collaborative. We study how individuals and teams work together to design, build, and maintain software systems, focusing on aspects of coordination, communication, tools, and processes. The introduction of AI-based tools has begun to reshape how this collaboration unfolds. The aims of this research is improving productivity, software quality, and the experience of those involved in creating complex digital systems.

People

Dr Jennifer Ferreira

Senior Lecturer School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 463 6381
- CO230, Cotton Building, Kelburn Campus

Dr Craig Watterson

Senior Lecturer School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 886 5333
- AM420, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

A/Prof Karsten Lundqvist

Associate Professor School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 886 5335
- AM421, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

Dr Stuart Marshall

Senior Lecturer School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 463 6730
- CO364, Cotton Building, Kelburn Campus

Senfa Sun

PhD Student School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- AM409, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

Projects

Industry: Impacts of AI Collaboration on software development process (Jennifer Ferreira, Craig Watterson, Karsten Lundqvist, Stuart Marshall)
PhD Thesis: Addressing Impostor Phenomenon in Collaboration Between UX Designers and Developers (Senfa Sun, Jennifer Ferreira, Gillian McCarthy, Dana Fridman)
PhD Thesis: A Grounded Theory of Integrated Module System Design: Insights from Language Designers (Edwin Singh, Jennifer Ferreira, Alex Potanin, Alwen Tiu)

Game-based learning

People

A/Prof Karsten Lundqvist

Associate Professor School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 886 5335
- AM421, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

Dr Craig Watterson

Senior Lecturer School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- 04 886 5333
- AM420, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

Agatha Rachmat

Lecturer and PhD Student School of Engineering and Computer Science
- address
- AM410, Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus

Hewa Algiriyage Chathura Priyankara - PhD Student

Projects

PhD Thesis: Teaching Java Programming for Software Engineering and Computer Science Students: An Intelligent Tutoring Approach (Hewa Algiriyage Chathura Priyankara, Karsten Lundqvist, Craig Watterson)
The Design of Games for Engineering Education
Game-based learning to enhance technical communication
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Digital Game-Based Learning to Enhance Medical Diagnostic Skills
Generative Artificial Intelligence Learning tool to support Reflective Learning in Introductory programming courses

Fintech

Human-centred design of financial technologies focuses on creating digital financial systems that are usable, accessible, and aligned with people’s everyday practices and needs. This research area examines how individuals interact with tools such as mobile banking, digital payments, and emerging forms of money, considering issues of trust, inclusion, and usability. Financial technologies are evolving rapidly and therefore human-centred approaches are critical for addressing risks, improving user experience, and ensuring that innovations are equitable, transparent, and responsive to real-world financial behaviours.