Associate Professor Claudio Aguayo

Claudio Aguayo is an Associate Professor in Digital Innovation in Education at Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). With a background in Biology and a PhD in Science & Technology Education, Claudio’s work bridges human-computer interaction (HCI), user experience (UX) design, cross-cultural responsive design, and critical design in digital learning environments. As Director of AUT's AppLab, Claudio leads projects exploring emerging technologies for educational transformation and curriculum innovation. His research-driven approach integrates immersive technologies and practice-based methodologies to design interactive, experiential learning environments that engage learners and users alike. Claudio’s leadership extends to fostering external collaborations and international partnerships, facilitating innovation across sectors. Claudio’s research spans digital innovation in education, digital interaction design, and human cognition in immersive UX design. His work also advances critical design, cross-cultural design, and sustainability education. Through his teaching in the Digital Cultures Programme and leadership at the AppLab, Claudio empowers students, staff, and external partners to engage in practice-based research and critical making, driving real-world applications of emerging technologies and advancing curriculum innovation. Future Masters and PhD students are welcome to contact Claudio to discuss potential supervision in areas such as cognitive science in UX design, human-computer interaction, culturally-responsive design, and digital innovation in education.