Annalu Waller

Annalu came to the University of Salford from the University of Dundee, where she held several academic and management posts. In 2012, she was appointed to a Chair of Human Communication Technologies in 2012, in recognition of her work in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technologies. While at Dundee, Annalu also served as Head of Computing for two terms and was Interim Dean for the School of Science and Engineering for 2018-19.

At Salford, Annalu is Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment. Her vision for the School is to leverage technological innovation to benefit the lives of people in local communities by conducting human-centred, world-leading research in key areas, which will reflect the University and the School’s core strengths.

Fundamental to Annalu’s philosophy is co-creation and co-design in all she does. This involves taking an inclusive approach to education and research, ensuring that all delivery is grounded in accessibility for the diversity that characterises what it is to be human. Her research background in Assistive and Accessible Technology has resulted in the establishment of a sub-field of human computer interaction called Human Assistive Technology Interaction (HATI). HATI proposes that by embedding co-design with people with severe disabilities as a mainstream endeavour, technology innovation can benefit everyone in society.