Microsoft Hires Famed Human-Computer Interaction Researcher Bill Buxton

Buxton, a pioneer in applying technology to support creative endeavors, will collaborate with Microsoft Research teams around the world.

REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 19, 2005 — Bill Buxton, a highly respected computer scientist and designer specializing in the human aspects of technology, has joined Microsoft Research to work on a variety of projects in its labs around the world. Working as a senior researcher in Microsoft Research will allow Buxton to continue pursuing his strong interest in the use of technology to support creative activities such as design, filmmaking and music.

“Bill brings amazing creativity and an intense drive to make a positive difference in how people experience technology,” said Rick Rashid, senior vice president of Microsoft Research. “His pioneering work in human-computer interaction, computer graphics and technology consulting will not only enhance ongoing projects at our Microsoft Research labs, but also inspire exciting new ideas. We’re proud and fortunate to have Bill, a leader in the Canadian research community, join Microsoft Research.”

In his new position, Buxton will continue to live in Canada, making regular visits to the Microsoft Research lab in Redmond, Wash. He also will spend part of each year collaborating with various teams at Microsoft Research facilities in other countries, starting with a four-month residency in the Cambridge, England, lab that begins in January 2006.

Buxton, who began his career in music, has spent more than 30 years observing how people use technology and applying those insights to the human-computer interaction field. His research specialties include technologies, techniques and theories of input to computers; technology-mediated collaboration between people; and ubiquitous computing. Buxton is widely revered for his creative and sensitive explorations of new user-interface techniques spanning audio, speech, two-handed input, keyboards, menus, lenses, pens, augmented reality, multimedia and more.

In 1995, Buxton received the Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society Achievement Award for his contributions to research in computer graphics and human-computer interaction. He also was selected as the New Media Visionary of the Year at the 2000 Canadian New Media Awards, and the Hollywood Reporter named him one of the 10 most influential innovators in the North American film industry in 2001.

Before joining Microsoft Research, Buxton was principal of his own Toronto-based design and consulting firm as well as chief scientist at Bruce Mau Design Inc. in Toronto. He also is an associate professor in the department of computer science at the University of Toronto. From 1994 through 2002, Buxton served as chief scientist of Alias|Wavefront (now Alias Systems Corp.) and, starting in 1995, of its parent company, SGI Inc.

He holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Toronto and a bachelor of music degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

About Microsoft Research

Founded in 1991, Microsoft Research is dedicated to conducting both basic and applied research in computer science and software engineering. Its goals are to enhance the user experience on computing devices, reduce the cost of writing and maintaining software, and invent novel computing technologies. Researchers focus on more than 55 areas of computing and collaborate with leading academic, government and industry researchers to advance the state of the art in such areas as graphics, speech recognition, user-interface research, natural language processing, programming tools and methodologies, operating systems and networking, and the mathematical sciences. Microsoft Research employs more than 700 people in six labs located in Redmond, Wash.; San Francisco; Silicon Valley, Calif.; Cambridge, England; Beijing; and Bangalore, India. The External Research and Programs group within Microsoft Research is dedicated to building world-class relationships with colleges and universities that enhance the teaching and learning experience, inspire technological innovation, and establish Microsoft as a valuable technology partner for higher education. More information can be found at http://www.research.microsoft.com.

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