Research
75+ publications spanning AI for wellbeing, learning engineering, educational games, and human-centered design. 1,500+ citations.
View full publication list on Google ScholarResearch Areas
Positive AI / AI for Wellbeing
Designing AI systems that actively promote human flourishing in education and healthcare, not just avoiding harm but maximizing positive outcomes.
Learning Engineering
Using large-scale experiments and data-driven methods to optimize educational content, with work reaching millions of students globally.
Resonance in Interaction Design
Exploring how principles of resonance and synchronization from physics and neuroscience can guide human-AI system design.
Empirical Aesthetics
Investigating how aesthetic experience influences interaction, engagement, and wellbeing through large-scale experiments.
Featured Publications
Is Difficulty Overrated? The Effects of Choice, Novelty and Suspense on Intrinsic Motivation in Educational Games
Lomas JD, Koedinger K, Patel N, Shodhan S, Poonwala N, Forlizzi J
CHI 2017, 2017(Honorable Mention)
Honorable Mention Award. Large-scale experiments (70K subjects) showing players prefer easier game versions, with choice, novelty and suspense driving motivation more than difficulty.
Interface Design Optimization as a Multi-Armed Bandit Problem
Lomas JD, Forlizzi J, Poonwala N, Patel N, Shodhan S, Patel K, Koedinger K, Brunskill E
CHI 2016, 2016
Demonstrating how AI-assisted experimentation using multi-armed bandits can more rapidly identify effective design conditions in educational software.
Harmony in Design: A Synthesis of Literature from Classical Philosophy, the Sciences, Economics, and Design
Lomas JD, Xue H
She Ji, 2022
A comprehensive synthesis exploring how principles of harmony from philosophy, science, and economics can inform design practice.
Resonance as a Design Strategy for AI and Social Robots
Lomas JD, Lin A, Dikker S, Forster D, Lupetti ML, Huisman G, Habekost J, et al.
Frontiers in Neurorobotics, 2022
Exploring how resonance—the tendency of systems to synchronize—can guide the design of AI and robotic systems that harmonize with humans.
Optimizing Challenge in an Educational Game Using Large-Scale Design Experiments
Lomas D, Patel K, Forlizzi JL, Koedinger KR
CHI 2013, 2013
Pioneering work on using large-scale A/B testing (10K subjects) to optimize educational game design based on empirical evidence.
Developing and Evaluating a Design Method for Positive Artificial Intelligence
van der Maden W, Lomas D, Hekkert P
AI EDAM, 2024
A framework and method for designing AI systems that actively promote human wellbeing rather than merely avoiding harm.
Recent Publications (2021-2025)
2025
From Dead-ends to Dialogue: Third Workshop on Design Research & GenAI
van der Maden W, van der Burg V, Halperin BA, Jääskeläinen P, Kun P, Lomas D, et al.
DIS 2025
When Discourse Stalls: Moving Past Semantic Stopsigns about Generative AI in Design Research
van der Maden W, van der Burg V, Halperin BA, Jääskeläinen P, Lindley J, Lomas D, Merritt T
arXiv
Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal of AI-Generated Product Designs through LoRA Fine-Tuning
Liao D, Lomas JD, Yu C
arXiv
2024
Developing and Evaluating a Design Method for Positive Artificial Intelligence
van der Maden W, Lomas D, Hekkert P
AI EDAM
Death of the Design Researcher? Creating Knowledge Resources Using Generative AI
van der Maden W, van Beek E, Halperin BA, Jääskeläinen P, Kang E, Kun P, Lomas JD, et al.
DIS 2024
Improved Emotional Alignment of AI and Humans: Ratings by Stable Diffusion & DALL-E
Lomas JD, van der Maden W, Bandyopadhyay S, Lion G, Patel N, Jain G, Litowsky Y, Xue H, Desmet P
arXiv
Automated Surgical Step Recognition in Transurethral Bladder Tumor Resection Using AI
Deol ES, Tollefson MK, Antolin A, Zohar M, Bar O, Ben-Ayoun D, Mynderse LA, Lomas DJ, et al.
Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence
2023
Improving Mathematics Assessment Readability: Do Large Language Models Help?
Patel N, Nagpal P, Shah T, Sharma A, Malvi S, Lomas D
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
Towards a Design (Research) Framework with Generative AI
van der Maden W, van Beek E, Nicenboim I, van der Burg V, Kun P, Lomas JD, Kang E
DIS 2023
Fourth Annual Workshop on A/B Testing and Platform-Enabled Learning Research
Ritter S, Heffernan NT, Williams JJ, Lomas D, et al.
L@S 2023
Predicting Drum Beats from High-density Brain Rhythms
Chaudhary S, Miyapuram KP, Lomas D
COMAD/CODS 2023
Decoding Individual and Shared Experiences of Media Perception Using CNN Architectures
Johri R, Pandey P, Miyapuram KP, Lomas JD
MIUA 2023
2022
Harmony in Design: A Synthesis from Classical Philosophy, Sciences, Economics, and Design
Lomas JD, Xue H
She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation
Resonance as a Design Strategy for AI and Social Robots
Lomas JD, Lin A, Dikker S, Forster D, Lupetti ML, Huisman G, Habekost J, et al.
Frontiers in Neurorobotics
Initial Psychometric Properties of 7 NeuroUX Remote Ecological Momentary Cognitive Tests
Moore RC, Parrish EM, Van Patten R, Paolillo E, Filip TF, Bomyea J, et al.
JMIR
Music Identification Using Brain Responses to Initial Snippets
Pandey P, Sharma G, Miyapuram KP, Subramanian R, Lomas D
ICASSP 2022
Real-time Sensing and NeuroFeedback for Practicing Meditation Using EEG and Eye Tracking
Pandey P, Gupta P, Chaudhary S, Miyapuram KP, Lomas D
IEEE TENSYMP 2022
EEG Spectral Correlates of Rapid and Deep Slow Breathing States
Patnaik S, Pandey P, Arun I, Yadav G, Miyapuram KP, Lomas D
IEEE TENSYMP 2022
Classifying EEG Signals of Mind-Wandering Across Different Styles of Meditation
Chaudhary S, Pandey P, Miyapuram KP, Lomas D
International Conference on Brain Informatics
Design for Wellbeing During Covid-19: A Cybernetic Perspective on Data Feedback Loops
van der Maden W, Lomas JD, Hekkert P
DRS 2022 Bilbao
Equitable Access to Intelligent Tutoring Systems Through Paper-Digital Integration
Patel N, Thakkar M, Rabadiya B, Patel D, Malvi S, Sharma A, Lomas D
EasyChair
Third Annual Workshop on A/B Testing and Platform-Enabled Learning Research
Ritter S, Heffernan N, Williams JJ, Lomas D, Motz B, Basu Mallick D, et al.
L@S 2022
2021
Design Space Cards: Using a Card Deck to Navigate the Design Space of Interactive Play
Lomas JD, Karac M, Gielen M
CHI PLAY / PACM HCI
The Resonance Pod: Applying Haptics to Promote Relaxation Through Breathing Entrainment
Shor D, Ruitenburg Y, Boere W, Lomas JD, Huisman G
IEEE World Haptics
UpGrade: An Open Source Tool to Support A/B Testing in Educational Software
Ritter S, Murphy A, Fancsali SE, Fitkariwala V, Patel N, Lomas JD
L@S Workshop
GuessTheMusic: Song Identification from Electroencephalography Response
Sonawane D, Miyapuram KP, Rs B, Lomas DJ
ACM IKDD CODS and COMAD
Predicting Dominant Beat Frequency from Brain Responses While Listening to Music
Pandey P, Ahmad N, Miyapuram KP, Lomas D
IEEE BIBM 2021
Modeling NAEP Test-taking Behavior Using Educational Process Analysis
Patel N, Sharma A, Shah T, Lomas D
Journal of Educational Data Mining
Second Workshop on Educational A/B Testing at Scale
Ritter S, Heffernan NT, Williams JJ, Lomas D, Bicknell K
L@S 2021
Earlier Publications (2007-2020)
2020
How Might Data-Informed Design Help Reduce the Poverty Achievement Gap?
Lomas JD
Neuroscientific Perspectives on Poverty
Designing Smart Systems: Reframing AI for Human-Centered Designers
Beardow C, van der Maden W, Lomas J
TMCE 2020
Workshop Proposal: Educational A/B Testing at Scale
Ritter S, Heffernan N, Williams JJ, Settles B, Grimaldi P, Lomas D
L@S 2020
2019
Designing an Escape Room in the City for Public Engagement with AI-Enhanced Surveillance
Kihara T, Bendor R, Lomas D
CHI Extended Abstracts
Monster Mischief: A Game-Based Assessment of Selective Sustained Attention in Young Children
Godwin KE, Lomas D, Koedinger KR, Fisher AV
International Journal of Gaming
Gamified Mobile Cognitive Tests: Preliminary Feasibility in Persons with Bipolar Disorder
Filip T, Kamarsu S, Lomas D, Eyler L, Depp C, Moore R
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
2018
Using Mobile Health Gamification to Facilitate CBT Skills Practice in Child Anxiety Treatment
Pramana G, Parmanto B, Lomas J, Lindhiem O, Kendall PC, Silk J
JMIR Serious Games
Curriculum Pacing: A New Approach to Discover Instructional Practices in Classrooms
Patel N, Sharma A, Sellman C, Lomas D
International Conference on Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Towards a Domain-Specific Design Platform for Wheelchair User Well-being
Bourgeois J, Liu S, Kortuem G, Lomas D
ACM International Joint Conference
CHI 2018 Workshop: Data-Driven Educational Game Design
McLaren BM, Asbell-Clarke J, Hammer J
CHI Extended Abstracts
2017
Is Difficulty Overrated? Effects of Choice, Novelty and Suspense on Intrinsic Motivation
Lomas JD, Koedinger K, Patel N, Shodhan S, Poonwala N, Forlizzi JL
CHI 2017 (Honorable Mention)
Mining Frequent Learning Pathways from a Large Educational Dataset
Patel N, Sellman C, Lomas D
arXiv
2016
Interface Design Optimization as a Multi-Armed Bandit Problem
Lomas JD, Forlizzi J, Poonwala N, Patel N, Shodhan S, Patel K, Koedinger K, Brunskill E
CHI 2016
2015
Monster Mischief: Designing a Video Game to Assess Selective Sustained Attention
Godwin KE, Lomas D, Koedinger KR, Fisher AV
International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations
India's Design Guru: MP Ranjan
Lomas D
She Ji
2013
Optimizing Challenge in an Educational Game Using Large-Scale Design Experiments
Lomas D, Patel K, Forlizzi JL, Koedinger KR
CHI 2013
The Power of Play: Design Lessons for Increasing the Lifespan of Outdated Computers
Lomas D, Kumar A, Patel K, Ching D, Lakshmanan M, Kam M, Forlizzi JL
CHI 2013
Supporting Social-Emotional Development in Collaborative Inquiry Games for K-3 Science
Aleven V, Dow S, Christel M, Stevens S, Rosé C, Koedinger K, Myers B, et al.
Games+Learning+Society
2012
RumbleBlocks: Teaching Science Concepts to Young Children Through a Unity Game
Christel MG, Stevens SM, Maher BS, Brice S, Champer M, Jayapalan L, et al.
International Conference on Computer Games
The Rise of the Super Experiment
Stamper JC, Lomas D, Ching D, Ritter S, Koedinger KR, Steinhart J
International Educational Data Mining Society
Effects of Adaptive Sequencing Algorithms on Player Engagement Within an Online Game
Lomas D, Stamper J, Muller R, Patel K, Koedinger KR
International Conference on Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Internet Scale Experimental Design and Deployment for Educational Games Using BrainPOP
Stamper J, Lomas D, Ching D, Linch K, Ritter S
Games+Learning+Society
2011
Battleship Numberline: A Digital Game for Improving Estimation Accuracy on Fraction Number Lines
Lomas D, Ching D, Stampfer E, Sandoval M, Koedinger K
Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness
When a Console Game Becomes CSCL: Play, Participatory Learning and 8-bit Home Computing in India
Lomas D, Ching D, Hoadley C, Patel K, Kam M
International Society of the Learning Sciences
2010
Some Consideration on the (In)Effectiveness of Residential Energy Feedback Systems
Pierce J, Fan C, Lomas D, Marcu G, Paulos E
ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems
2008
Playpower: Radically Affordable Computer-Aided Learning with $12 TV-Computers
Lomas D, Douglass J, Rehn D
Meaningful Play Conference
2007
Cognitive Artifacts: An Art-Science Engagement
Lomas D
ACM SIGCHI Conference on Creativity & Cognition
Supervised Students (TU Delft)
Willem van der Maden
Designing Positive AI: How optimizing for contextual wellbeing inspired a design method for artificial intelligence that promotes human flourishingDeveloped methods for designing AI systems centered on human flourishing, including the 'My Wellness Check' longitudinal study with 20,000+ participants during COVID-19.
Dinuo Liao
Generative AI & Tangible Products: Human-AI Synergy in 3D-printed Lamp Design
Explored LoRA fine-tuning with human aesthetic feedback to enhance AI-generated product designs, with methods for converting designs into 3D-printable objects.
Tamay Oudhof
Future Framing Method: Utilizing the power of co-creation and AI when envisioning the futureDeveloped a toolkit combining futuring methods, creativity, and AI (ChatGPT + MidJourney) to help teams envision desirable futures collaboratively.
Xin Wen
Can AI Deepen Our Connection to Human Values?
Designed a game using ChatGPT and the Sciffle Box to help players explore and discuss corporate values aligned with personal human values.
Shuyue Jin
How Might Human Experience Inform AI Systems?
Investigated how aesthetic beauty and embodied human experience can inform the design of AI systems, addressing limitations in current AI capabilities.
Caiseal Beardow
NeuroAesthetic Resonance: A cybernetic system optimizing audiovisual experience through EEG feedbackBuilt an art-science installation using EEG brain activity to create a feedback loop that enhances neural and aesthetic resonance in real-time.
H. Monteiro Rego Meyrelles
Atrium: Facilitating Social Interactions for Sustained Wellbeing in a Digital Campus LifeDesigned a wellbeing-informed digital platform to lower friction in initiating social interactions between university peers during COVID-19 remote learning.
Frederik Ueberschär
AI for Experience: Designing with Generative Adversarial Networks to evoke climate fascinationCreated LANDSHAPES, an interactive museum installation using GANs to generate aerial landscapes that evoke climate engagement through beauty and fascination.
Ferkan Metin
Envision Glasses: AI-powered smartglasses for the visually impairedDesigned AI smartglasses with camera, speaker, text/face recognition, and remote sighted-person assist. Launched with preorders on graduation day.
Bryan Zaaijer
Haptic Vision: Developing a vision for the SenseGlove VR gloveDesigned hand tracking, force feedback, and tactile feedback for VR haptic gloves. Joined SenseGlove after graduating.
Tomo Kihara
Escape the Smart City: A critical pervasive game about AI-enhanced surveillanceCreated a city-scale escape room raising awareness about AI surveillance in smart cities. Published at CHI 2019 Extended Abstracts.
Mihovil Karac
Design Space Cards: A card deck for navigating the design space of interactive playDeveloped a physical card deck tool for generating game design concepts. Published in CHI PLAY / PACM HCI.
Dissertation
Optimizing Motivation and Learning with Large-Scale Game Design Experiments
PhD Dissertation, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 2014
Advised by Ken Koedinger and Jodi Forlizzi. Developed methods for using large-scale online experiments to optimize educational game design, demonstrating how empirical approaches can inform interaction design theory.