By Marianne Fuglsang Welling Farsinsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: AAU

Professor Ann Blandford has made significant contributions to the development of effective health technologies. She has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between computer science and healthcare, both within academia and by connecting research with practice. Through this work, Blandford has influenced the development of new technologies, set new research directions across multiple fields, and provided input to support government policy.

With a strong emphasis on real-world challenges, Professor Ann Blandford's research contributions focus on the use of complex digital systems 'in the real world,' with particular attention to critical aspects such as human error, patient safety, and the use of (digital) information in clinical contexts. Her work has been indispensable in advancing the importance of patient care and experience within computer science research. She has published a wide range of seminal contributions in Human-Computer Interaction, digital health, and human factors, further complemented by influential work in qualitative methods and interdisciplinary research.

Niels van Berkel, Professor at the Department of Computer Science, AAU, states:

"Professor Ann Blandford’s academic leadership and pioneering vision in Human-Computer Interaction have positively influenced technological development and led to a series of impressive contributions to digital health. Her methodological contributions to qualitative data analysis are now deservedly included in numerous textbooks worldwide, and her efforts to connect academics and practitioners across different disciplines are a huge inspiration for us at AAU," says Niels van Berkel, adding:

"Our collaboration with Blandford began more than 15 years ago and has been instrumental in the development and professionalisation of our efforts at the Department of Computer Science. We greatly appreciate ongoing and future collaborative projects in digital health and are very pleased and proud that Ann Blandford is being awarded an honorary doctorate at AAU."

The appointment of Professor Ann Blandford as an honorary doctor at AAU will take place at the university's annual celebration on 4 April 2025.

Guest Lecture by Ann Blandford at AAU

Professor Ann Blandford, soon to be an honorary doctor at AAU, will give a guest lecture at Aalborg University on 4 April 2025. Read more here.