
Dr Petr Slovak
Senior Lecturer
Research interests
- Computer science
- Mental Health
Biography
My research is positioned at the intersection of Human Centred Interaction, mental health intervention, and learning sciences. I am interested in understanding how technology can meaningfully help in supporting the development of core competencies known to promote mental health – such as self-regulation, coping with stress, or conflict resolution – in real-world contexts.
This research agenda is supported through collaboration with multiple partners including Oxford University, UCL, Anna Freud Centre in London, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, Harvard Medical School, and Committee for Children (a US-based non-profit developers of a social-emotional learning program used in more than 30% of US schools). We've published a series of papers at top tier HCI venues furthering this research direction over the last 4 years (with 3x CHI, 2x CSCW, 1x TOCHI as first authored), including a Best Paper awards at CHI'17 and CSCW'18.
Currently, my main research project focuses on understanding of how novel digital objects (e.g., socially assistive robots) could lead to innovative intervention delivery approaches, which are embedded in the everyday lives of young children and their families; our specific case study focusses on the development of self-regulation competencies (UCL, UC Santa Cruz, CfC). The second core project investigates the potential of voice-assistants (such as Alexa/GoogleHome) to deliver prevention interventions in real-world settings (Oxford). I also serve as the Research Lead on two other projects: embedding conflict-resolution training into Minecraft gameplay for children aged 11-14 (UC Irvine, CfC) and a personal informatics app empowering parents of 2-5 year olds to develop positive parenting techniques (CfC); as well as supporting two projects at Oxford (digital self-control; child privacy).
More information:
Research

Health (Informatics)
The Health Hub centres on computational characterisation of medically relevant study cases and data.

Supporting Parents And Kids Through Lockdown Experiences (SPARKLE) Trial
A randomised control trial evaluating whether a digital public health parenting intervention can help parents to manage their children’s behaviour problems.
Project status: Ongoing

Positioning Parent Positive (PPP) Study
A study of stakeholder views about the best way to optimise the clinical value of the Parent Positive digital parenting app.
Project status: Ongoing

Human Centred Computing Research
The group is concerned with the design, development and evaluation of human computer systems.

Centre for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) London
CUSP London is a collaboration between King’s College London and New York University, which brings together researchers, businesses, local authorities and government agencies, to apply data science and visual analytics to challenges in and for London.
News
Cuddly 'Purrble' robot visits No. 10 as King's celebrates design exhibition
Design-led research was presented to the Secretary of State for Culture at Downing Street, as the university celebrated the 'Seeking Connection' research...

King's exhibits research at 2023 London Design Biennale
The King’s pavilion 'Seeking Connection' will showcase creative, cross-disciplinary research into digital technologies from across the university.

NMES academic promotions
New readers and senior lecturers in NMES

Dr Petr Slovak granted UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship for research in child mental health intervention
Dr Petr Slovak, Lecturer in King’s Department of Informatics, has been awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to support his research on the use of emerging...

Best Paper award for new Lecturer in Informatics
A group of academics including Dr Petr Slovak, Lecturer in the Department of Informatics from January 2019, has received the Best Paper award at the...

Seven collaborations launched as part of King's Artists programme
Throughout the 2019–20 academic year, seven new artists-in-residence will be based in departments across King’s College London.

Features
Emotional regulation in children
Intervening where and when help is needed: how Dr Petr Slovak and his team have helped design a best-selling, research-backed smart toy that helps children...

Research

Health (Informatics)
The Health Hub centres on computational characterisation of medically relevant study cases and data.

Supporting Parents And Kids Through Lockdown Experiences (SPARKLE) Trial
A randomised control trial evaluating whether a digital public health parenting intervention can help parents to manage their children’s behaviour problems.
Project status: Ongoing

Positioning Parent Positive (PPP) Study
A study of stakeholder views about the best way to optimise the clinical value of the Parent Positive digital parenting app.
Project status: Ongoing

Human Centred Computing Research
The group is concerned with the design, development and evaluation of human computer systems.

Centre for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) London
CUSP London is a collaboration between King’s College London and New York University, which brings together researchers, businesses, local authorities and government agencies, to apply data science and visual analytics to challenges in and for London.
News
Cuddly 'Purrble' robot visits No. 10 as King's celebrates design exhibition
Design-led research was presented to the Secretary of State for Culture at Downing Street, as the university celebrated the 'Seeking Connection' research...

King's exhibits research at 2023 London Design Biennale
The King’s pavilion 'Seeking Connection' will showcase creative, cross-disciplinary research into digital technologies from across the university.

NMES academic promotions
New readers and senior lecturers in NMES

Dr Petr Slovak granted UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship for research in child mental health intervention
Dr Petr Slovak, Lecturer in King’s Department of Informatics, has been awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to support his research on the use of emerging...

Best Paper award for new Lecturer in Informatics
A group of academics including Dr Petr Slovak, Lecturer in the Department of Informatics from January 2019, has received the Best Paper award at the...

Seven collaborations launched as part of King's Artists programme
Throughout the 2019–20 academic year, seven new artists-in-residence will be based in departments across King’s College London.

Features
Emotional regulation in children
Intervening where and when help is needed: how Dr Petr Slovak and his team have helped design a best-selling, research-backed smart toy that helps children...
