About

The Activity Theory Usability Laboratory (ATUL) takes a human-centred view of information technology as it is used to support work and decision-making in organisations. The 
main themes are:

• Application of Activity Theory and the Cynefin sense-making framework to information systems, human-computer interaction, knowledge management, organisational learning and communities of practice
• Usability expert evaluation and scenario-based testing
• The use of serious games for social learning in organisations
• The use of knowledge management tools in complex environments, including Enterprise 2.0

ATUL conducts research into activity-based information systems, and commercial usability testing of systems using methods derived from the research. The research approach focuses on the user's everyday activities – particularly complex ones – in a normal context. The facilities at ATUL are able to develop and evaluate innovative, interactive software systems, websites and social media.

As a community, ATUL links like-minded individuals, consultancy groups and research units at other universities, not only in Australia but, increasingly, overseas where many research graduates continue their career. ATUL has been located at UOW since 2001.

ATUL connected to Usability Laboratories world-wide on World Usability Day in 2006, exchanging videos  via YouTube