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Dr Nick Dalton

Associate Professor

Department: Computer and Information Sciences

While I am new to Northumbria, I have taught computing at UCL (University College London) and at The Open University.  I have taught at all levels from beginners on foundation, to degree courses, to Masters courses and at PhD level.  I also delight in supporting students with a range of disabilities including Dyslexia, Autism spectrum, and Deafness. I have written about Neurodiversity.  I love communicating my joy of all things Digital to students and to the wider public – see my articles on the conversation.

I started programming my first Mac in 1987 and never looked back.  I was drawn to Human Computer interaction  as  a programmer as it’s the most difficult and challenging of all types of software in all of computer science.  

My research exists in the crossover between architecture and human computer interaction. This includes areas such as Space Syntax in theoretical architecture.  My current research area is that of very large-scale user interfaces.  This is any user interface which is larger than a person.  For example this includes public displays, a digital wine shop, information sculptures, Virtual Reality, table sized multitouch group interaction.  I am a founding member of NORSC (Northumbria social computing).  

My current research looks at the use of body movements at standing desks to encourage better user interaction and fight a obesogenic environments in the workplace.

My PhD supervision currently includes looking at reconceptualising device user interfaces for people with diabetes.  I’m always open to suggestions for Phd topics in my research area of large scale user interface

In my spare time I write iPhone and AppleWatch apps and publish Science Fiction on Wattpad. 

The Conversation

Ubiquity Notebook

The Pure Hands

While I am new to Northumbria, I have taught computing at UCL (University College London) and at The Open University.  I have taught at all levels from beginners on foundation, to degree courses, to Masters courses and at PhD level.  I also delight in supporting students with a range of disabilities including Dyslexia, Autism spectrum, and Deafness. I have written about Neurodiversity.  I love communicating my joy of all things Digital to students and to the wider public – see my articles on the conversation.

I started programming my first Mac in 1987 and never looked back.  I was drawn to Human Computer interaction  as  a programmer as it’s the most difficult and challenging of all types of software in all of computer science.   

My research exists in the crossover between architecture and human computer interaction. This includes areas such as Space Syntax in theoretical architecture.  My current research area is that of very large-scale user interfaces. This is any user interface which is larger than a person.  For example this includes public displays, a digital wine shop, information sculptures, Virtual Reality, table sized multitouch group interaction.  I am a founding member of NORSC (Northumbria social computing).  

My current research looks at the use of body movements at standing desks to encourage better user interaction and fight obesogenic environments in the workplace.

My PhD supervision currently includes looking at reconceptualising device user interfaces for people with diabetes.  I’m always open to suggestions for Phd topics in my research area of large scale user interface 

In my spare time, I write iPhone and AppleWatch apps and publish Science Fiction on Wattpad. 

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • Methods for Neighbourhood mapping, boundary agreement, Dalton, N., Hurrell, M. 1 Feb 2023, In: Environment & Planning B
  • Motivational Factors for Participating in Citizen Science Games, Dalton, R., Wiener, J., Yesiltepe, D., Adams, A., Dalton, N., Spiers, H., Hornberger, M. 9 Feb 2023
  • Detection of Intelligibility leaps using Isovist-waves: joining the dots to map potential ‘aha moment’ locations, McElhinney, S., Dalton, R., Dalton, N., Mavros, P. 24 Sep 2022, In: The Journal of Urban Design
  • Detection of Intelligibility Leaps with Isovist-Waves, a Method To Identify ‘Aha Moment’ Locations:: joining the dots to map the ‘aha moment’, McElhinney, S., Dalton, R., Dalton, N., Mavros, P. 20 Jun 2022, Proceedings of the 13th Space Syntax Symposium
  • Isovists in a Grid: Benefits and limitations, Dalton, R., Dalton, N., McElhinney, S., Mavros, P. 20 Jun 2022, Proceedings of the 13th Space Syntax Symposium
  • Isovists in a Grid: Benefits and Limitations, Dalton, R., Dalton, N., McElhinney, S., Mavros, P. 24 Sep 2022, In: The Journal of Urban Design
  • Upper bound projection and Stochastic isovists: a solution to the comparison of Visibility Graph Analysis systems, Dalton, N., Dalton, R., McElhinney, S., Mavros, P. 12 Aug 2022, Proceedings 13th International Space Syntax Symposium, Bergen, Norway, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
  • Upper bound projection and Stochastic isovists: a solution to the comparison of Visibility Graph Analysis systems, Dalton, N., Dalton, R., McElhinney, S., Mavros, P. 24 Sep 2022, In: The Journal of Urban Design

  • Simran Chopra Designing for Participatory Visioning: HCI for Reconciling Sustainability Visions with Everyday Practice in Grassroots Communities Start Date: 06/05/2023
  • Joe Cowlyn Spatial Embodied Augmented Reality: Design of AR for Spatial Productivity Applications Start Date: 01/10/2017 End Date: 23/12/2022
  • Halil Agin A Visual Analytics Approach: Brushing in Parameter Space of a Data-set’s Statistical Model for Extracting Knowledge Start Date: 07/06/2017 End Date: 16/09/2019

  • Engineering PhD June 30 2010
  • Fellow Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA) 2003
  • Member British Computer Society (BCS) 2003
  • Member Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 2003
  • Member Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) 2002


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