Catarina Allen
About Catarina Allen
Catarina Allen is an HCI Research Intern currently working at Inria in Stockholm, Sweden, with a background in user experience design and graphic design. She has held various roles in design and research, including positions at Fotspår, TEDxISTAlameda, and Engineers Without Borders, and has completed multiple degrees in Human Computer Interaction and Biomedical Engineering.
Work at Inria
Catarina Allen has been working as an HCI Research Intern at Inria since 2021. Her role involves conducting research in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, focusing on innovative projects that explore the intersection of technology and user experience. Currently, she is engaged in a research project that utilizes fibrous fluidic thin haptic actuators to develop a wearable device that can interact with and sense a dancer's movements. This research emphasizes the principles of somaesthetics and the third wave of HCI, highlighting the importance of embodied interaction.
Previous Experience in User Experience Design
Prior to her current position, Catarina Allen worked as a User Experience Designer at Fotspår from 2019 to 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. In this role, she contributed to enhancing user experiences through design and usability principles. Additionally, she served as the Head of Design at TEDxISTAlameda from 2016 to 2019, where she led design initiatives for events. She also held the position of Graphic Design Manager at Ingenjörer utan gränser (Engineers Without Borders) for one year during 2019 to 2020, focusing on visual communication strategies.
Education and Expertise
Catarina Allen has an extensive educational background in Human-Computer Interaction and Design. She earned a Master's degree from Université Paris-Saclay in 2021 and another Master's degree from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2020. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, completed in 2020. Additionally, she participated in a Summer School program at TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology in 2019, focusing on e-health personalized prevention.
Collaborative Projects
Catarina Allen is involved in collaborative research projects at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, working alongside Sarah Fdili Alaoui and Özgun Kilic. Their project centers on soft robotics knitted textile wearables, exploring the integration of technology in wearable design. This collaboration reflects her commitment to advancing the field of Human-Computer Interaction through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches.
Freelance UX Design Work
In addition to her internships and previous roles, Catarina Allen has been working as a freelance UX Designer since 2017. Based in the Lisbon Area, Portugal, she provides design services that focus on user experience and interface design. This freelance work allows her to apply her skills in various projects while continuing to develop her expertise in the field.