Research & writing

Inquiry that strengthens how I design.

Peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate research coursework and practical essays connect my product work with human factors, evidence synthesis and emerging technology.

4peer-reviewed IEEE papers

5postgraduate research projects

10published Medium essays

1research-led design case study

Peer-reviewed publications

Published research across HCI, AI and health technology.

Each entry links to its permanent DOI record and preserves the published author order.

Peer-reviewed conference paper2024

Enhancing Adherence and Completion Rates Through Gamification and Micro AI Interventions in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Explores how gamification and lightweight AI interventions could support engagement and completion in digital CBT, combining an interactive application with evaluation and functional testing.

Authors: S. Mallawatantri and P. Fernando
Role: First author
Venue: 2024 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA)
Location: Cairo, Egypt

S. Mallawatantri and P. Fernando, “Enhancing Adherence and Completion Rates Through Gamification and Micro AI Interventions in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,” 2024 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA), Cairo, Egypt, 2024, pp. 1–7.

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Peer-reviewed conference paper2025

Toward Unified Multimodal Frameworks: A Systematic Review of AI-Driven and Immersive Technologies for Inclusive STEM Education

Synthesises evidence on AI, LLMs, multimodal learning and immersive technologies for SEND learners, identifying the need for integrated frameworks that support accessible STEM learning.

Authors: T. C. Liyanage and S. Mallawatantri
Role: Co-author
Venue: 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA)
Location: Bahrain

T. C. Liyanage and S. Mallawatantri, “Toward Unified Multimodal Frameworks: A Systematic Review of AI-Driven and Immersive Technologies for Inclusive STEM Education,” 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA), Bahrain, 2025, pp. 1–6.

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Peer-reviewed conference paper2025

Towards Human-Centered Explainable AI: A Systematic Review of Interactive Explanation Approaches

Reviews interactive explanation approaches—including what-if exploration and counterfactual recourse—and examines their effects on accuracy, trust, clarity, cognitive load and usability for non-expert users.

Authors: A. Fazlin and S. Mallawatantri
Role: Co-author
Venue: 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA)
Location: Bahrain

A. Fazlin and S. Mallawatantri, “Towards Human-Centered Explainable AI: A Systematic Review of Interactive Explanation Approaches,” 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA), Bahrain, 2025, pp. 1–6.

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Peer-reviewed conference paper2025

Rethinking Pancreatic Cancer Modelling: A Systematic Literature Review of Graph Neural Networks

Maps how graph neural networks are being applied to pancreatic-cancer diagnosis, classification and multimodal modelling, while identifying evidence gaps for clinically robust future systems.

Authors: A. Z. Nazoordeen and S. Mallawatantri
Role: Co-author
Venue: 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA)
Location: Bahrain

A. Z. Nazoordeen and S. Mallawatantri, “Rethinking Pancreatic Cancer Modelling: A Systematic Literature Review of Graph Neural Networks,” 2025 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA), Bahrain, 2025, pp. 1–6.

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Research coursework

Methods applied to real interaction and human-factors questions.

These projects demonstrate how I frame a question, select a method, interpret evidence and translate findings into design implications.

Individual research coursework2025–26

LaneMate: A Hybrid Conversational Agent for Swim Session Management

Designed and evaluated a goal-oriented conversational agent that combines machine-learning intent classification with deterministic state-based dialogue control for reliable booking transactions and FAQ retrieval.

Evidence boundaryIterative classifier development improved reported test accuracy from a 53% baseline to 71%.

Institution: University of Nottingham
Context: COMP3074 · Natural language interfaces

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Collaborative research coursework · six-person team2025–26

Accomplishing the Shared Meal: Social Order in the Student Kitchen

Examined shared student meals as socially organised collaborative activity, following coordination across planning, shopping, cooking, eating and cleaning rather than treating the meal as a single moment.

Evidence boundaryTriangulated six shared-meal events using audio-visual recordings, field notes and digital planning traces.

Institution: University of Nottingham
Context: COMP4017 · Ethnography and interaction analysis

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Individual research coursework2025–26

From Load to Learning: Attention and Workload Failures in Adaptive Cognitive Training

Analysed how a poorly timed adaptive difficulty transition can misallocate attention and increase cognitive workload for people with mild cognitive impairment, then proposed a clearer redesign and evaluation plan.

Evidence boundaryConnects the redesign to measurable outcomes including NASA-TLX, first-trial errors and time-to-first-correct response.

Institution: University of Nottingham
Context: MMME4054 · Cognitive ergonomics

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Collaborative experimental coursework2025–26

Mozart vs. Meaning: Investigating Semantic Content in the Irrelevant Sound Effect

Investigated whether intelligible speech disrupts serial recall more than non-semantic changing-state music, testing competing accounts of the Irrelevant Sound Effect.

Evidence boundarySpeech produced significantly lower recall than music (p = .002), supporting an additional interference-by-content effect.

Institution: University of Nottingham
Context: MMME4071 · Experimental human factors

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Individual simulation and HMI coursework2025–26

V-LAP: A Hybrid VR Platform for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Developed a concept for combining a physical laparoscopic box trainer with VR overlays, instrument tracking and event-based feedback to support novice surgical decision-making and motor learning.

Evidence boundaryThe performance figures are proposed validation targets—not measured outcomes—and are presented as such.

Institution: University of Nottingham
Context: MMME4084 · Simulation, VR and advanced HMIs

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Portfolio-ready document previews

The embedded copies remove student IDs and legacy institutional contact details. Published papers retain DOI links to the authoritative record, while every document can also be opened outside the preview for complete browser controls.

Selected essays

Writing that makes design and technology easier to understand.

The complete visible Medium archive is included here rather than presented as an automatically updating feed.

EssayMay 9, 2023

Era of Next Generation UX: Tackling the Challenges of VR & AR for UX Design

A practical look at the design challenges emerging as interfaces move beyond flat screens into spatial and immersive experiences.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

EssayApril 24, 2023

Power of Color: Leverage Science & Psychology for Exceptional UX

Explores how perception, psychology and context shape the responsible use of colour in product interfaces.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

Laws of UX for UX HeroesApril 22, 2023

Laws of UX for UX Heroes Pt.4

The concluding part of a four-article series translating behavioural principles into approachable UX guidance.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

Laws of UX for UX HeroesApril 21, 2023

Laws of UX for UX Heroes Pt.3

Part three of the series, connecting established behavioural effects with everyday interface decisions.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

Laws of UX for UX HeroesApril 21, 2023

Laws of UX for UX Heroes Pt.2

Part two of the series, explaining how cognitive patterns can help designers create more predictable experiences.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

Laws of UX for UX HeroesApril 21, 2023

Laws of UX for UX Heroes Pt.1

The opening article in a four-part introduction to applying behavioural and cognitive principles in UX design.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

EssayNovember 24, 2022

PIM? PAM? Something Different from IAM?

Clarifies the relationship between privileged identity management, privileged access management and identity and access management.

Identity Beyond Borders on MediumRead on Medium

EssayNovember 9, 2022

HOTP vs. TOTP: Which Really Comes on Top?

Compares two one-time-password approaches and explains why authentication choices matter to product experience and security.

Identity Beyond Borders on MediumRead on Medium

EssayNovember 9, 2022

The Most Powerful UX Skill

A reflective essay on the core capability that helps designers move from producing screens to understanding people and problems.

Bootcamp on MediumRead on Medium

EssayAugust 31, 2022

Basic Integration of Asgardeo in a SPA for Newbies — Pt. 01

A beginner-oriented walkthrough connecting identity-platform implementation with the practical experience of authentication flows.

Identity Beyond Borders on MediumRead on Medium

Writing archive

Browse the full Medium profile.

Articles cover UX principles, colour psychology, immersive design, authentication and identity platforms.

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Research through-line

How people understand, trust and act through complex systems.

Across the work, the recurring question is not simply whether a technology functions—but whether people can build the right mental model, retain agency and use it with confidence.

Human-AI interactionExplainable AIConversational UXCognitive ergonomicsImmersive systemsAccessible learningEthnographyExperimental methods

Research translated into experience

See the Wollaton Re:vived case study.

A postgraduate HCI project showing how research, concept development, prototyping and evaluation connect inside a designed experience.

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Knowledge exchange

Research also shapes how I teach and mentor.

Lecturing, critique and dissertation supervision strengthen my ability to explain evidence, challenge assumptions and make complex ideas actionable.

Charting the route…