Rohit Ashok Khot

Dr. Rohit Ashok Khot is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Design at RMIT University, Australia and he directs the HAFP (pronounced as HAPPY) Research Lab.

Rohit is a leading researcher of international repute in the dynamic field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly distinguishing himself as a pioneer in the rapidly evolving realm of Human-Food Interaction (HFI). His innovative contributions not only challenge established norms but also spearhead a paradigm shift in the traditional approach to designing technology for food and well-being. With a visionary perspective, Dr. Khot continually reshapes the realm of possibilities, envisioning intricate technological masterpieces that seamlessly integrate the worlds of play and multisensory experiences within the context of food.

To date, Dr. Khot has authored 89 scholarly articles in esteemed international conferences and journals, including books on "Human-Food Interaction" and "Exertion Games," accumulating 1947 citations and boasting an h-index of 26. He has earned multiple best paper awards and holds the 16th position in SciVal's ranking of leading HCI researchers and the 12th in Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design in Australia over the past decade.

Beyond numerical metrics, Dr. Khot's transformative impact extends to the tangible establishment and leadership of the Hearty Adventures in Food and Play (HAFP) Research Lab at RMIT. The lab, under his directorship since 2020, has emerged as a hub for inventive and unconventional design thinking. It not only responds uniquely to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to food but also provokes new ideas and inspirations for technology-mediated food futures. Since its inception, the lab has produced an impressive 25 research outputs, witnessed the completion of a significant PhD project, and achieved three shortlistings for the prestigious Victorian Premier’s Design Awards.

Dr. Khot's pioneering research is not confined to academic circles; it extends globally through prestigious exhibitions, conferences, and technology fairs and has resonated with end-users. Featured in renowned media outlets such as Mashable, Design Boom, IEEE Spectrum, and ABC, Dr. Khot's research has garnered widespread attention, with a notable interview by Herald Sun for their "Future Victoria" series.

His research performance has earned him several national and international awards, including the prestigious Australian Research Council's Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) in 2019, the RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2017, and the RMIT Prize for Research Excellence in the ECR (Design) category in 2020. Further acclaim includes the RMIT Prize for Research Excellence (HDR) in 2017 and the Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in 2023. In 2022, Dr. Khot also received the AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar Award (Honourable Mention) in Human-Computer Interaction from AMiner.org. These recognitions underscore his sustained research excellence in the field of HCI.

His expertise has also translated into prestigious leadership roles for Tier-1 HCI conferences. In 2022, he chaired the technical program for ACM DIS 2022, overseeing 700+ submissions, coordinating 96 associate chairs, and steering the final program to success. Dr. Khot's influential reach extends through over 10 invited talks at universities, research labs, and industry events. As the keynote speaker for the MobileHCI 2022 workshop and a panellist on topics like “how to run games lab” and “interactive food in the hospitality industry,” his impact reaches diverse audiences.

In addition to his significant research and leadership roles, Dr. Khot is deeply committed to mentorship, evident in the success stories of his students. Recent PhD graduates under his guidance have secured prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at Monash University and the University of Edinburgh, with one winning the MDPI Best PhD Thesis award in 2022.