Over the past few decades, computational systems have become increasingly integrated into the fabric of people's lives, mediating countless daily interactions and activities. In such a rapidly changing, pervasively-connected society, it is challenging to understand the effects such new technologies have on society at both a micro- and macro-scopic scale, to identify where new issues of concerns arise.
 
For example, whilst fundamentally enabling and empowering, computation and connectivity has also widened existing gaps in power and privilege. The growth of new information economies of unprecedented scale have led to the rise of a handful of massive, super-national corporations that now grapple to control the primary digital information channels so vital to a free and open society.  Many concerns both about the immediate, and long-term effects of such control and power have been raised, and are now examined on issues ranging from their effects on civil liberties, to interference in democratic processes.
 
The Human-Centred Computing theme at the University of Oxford comprises research that focusses on understanding the ways that emerging advancements in computational systems and methods are presenting new challenges and opportunities for further innovation.  Under this broad remit, we focus on several areas: responsible research and innovation (RRI), understanding the needs around fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, and accountable data-driven algorithmic systems, and empowering individuals to take better control of their data, including exerting control over their privacy in future, sensor-rich information environments.