DrJoel Fredericks

Dr Joel Fredericks is a Senior Lecturer in Design and Associate Dean (Student Life) at The University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is an interaction design and urban planning scholar working within the fields of human–computer interaction and interaction design, with research focused on how interactive, immersive, and AI-supported technologies can be used in community engagement and urban resilience contexts. His work investigates how emerging technologies can support inclusive collaboration, deliberation, and decision-making across diverse human and non-human perspectives.

Joel has authored numerous publications across human–computer interaction, interaction design, and participatory planning, including Media Architecture Compendium Vol. 2, which draws on academic research and global case studies to examine the evolving concepts, methods, and practices of media architecture and interaction design. His teaching spans interaction design and HCI, informed by research-led approaches to collaboration, participation, and the situated use of emerging technologies.

Joel’s research and teaching are informed by his professional background as an urban planner and community engagement consultant, where he worked on infrastructure projects across local government, transport, water, telecommunications, and energy sectors. This experience grounds his work in the practical realities of policy, planning, and engagement practice. He is co-chair of the annual Community Engagement Summit, which brings together practitioners and scholars from government, industry, and academia.