Arya Babaei

Adjunct Faculty,  Multidisciplinary Graduate Engineering Programs

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About

Dr. Arya Babaei is a renowned expert in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), design, and innovation, with a significant impact in both academia and industry. His academic journey is marked by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Technology & Innovation Studies at Politecnico Di Milano, Italy. During this fellowship, he focused on innovative strategies in FinTech and InsurTech, assessing their Viability, Desirability, and Feasibility within business ecosystems.

Following this, Dr. Babaei earned a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Strategy Management. His thesis explored the network analysis of design-innovation synergies, examining interactions and dynamics throughout the product development lifecycle. He also completed a PhD in Design Studies, where he focused on HCI and cognitive science. His doctoral thesis developed a methodological framework for integrating HCI and design thinking across the design process phases.

In the professional sphere, Dr. Babaei with 15+ years of expertise in leading product design and user research across top-tier consulting firm like KPMG, Accenture and Sia Partners, Arya has dealt with a diverse clientele that include Enbridge, Meta, Amazon, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, AXA, Browns Insurance, and innovation hubs like Polytechnic University of Milan. He has overseen over 25+ projects globally focusing on service design and research driven UX/IU initiatives in complex systems.

With over a decade of global academic experience, Dr. Babaei excels in developing innovative curricula and employing cutting-edge pedagogical methods, such as gamified learning and experiential labs. His research integrates user-centered design, cognitive science, behavioral analysis, and psychographic mapping, emphasizing dynamic software design. He has successfully aligned educational programs with industry trends, ensuring relevance and applicability.

Dr. Babaei’s expertise is showcased through his significant contributions to the field, as evidenced by his diverse range of industry reviews and speaking engagements. As a keynote speaker at the ACMP in June 2024, he presented on “Human-Centered Systems Thinking: A Holistic Approach to Complex Changes,” demonstrating his thought leadership in the area. His insights into cutting-edge industry trends are further reflected in his reviews, including “Behavioral-Based UX/UI Design: Incorporate Attribution Modeling into the Interfaces” (August 2024) and “The Science of User Experience: Cognitive Insights Transforming Usability” (May 2024).

Additionally, Dr. Babaei has made substantial contributions to emerging technologies through his white papers, such as “Exploring Web3 Era: Use Cases in Consumer-Facing Sectors” (September 2022) and “Codes, Contracts, and Creativity: Dimensions of NFT Types” (August 2022). These works underscore his ability to seamlessly connect academic research with real-world industry applications, solidifying his position as a bridge between theoretical concepts and practical implementations in the field of HCI and design innovation.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration – MBA, Marketing Management, University of Tehran (2007-2009).
  • Master of Science – MSc, Design Studies (UX.UI), Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch (2009-2011).
  • Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Design Studies, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch (2011-2014).
  • Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Innovation Management, Universite de Bordeaux (2014-2017).
  • Post-Doc, Technology & Innovation Studies, MIP Politecnico di Milano (2017-2018).
  • Executive, Information Systems & Analytics, University of Toronto (2020-2021

Selected Publications

  • Innovation Speed and Velocity, Scientific Researches in Management; Iran · May 1, 2018
  • Defining and Measuring Business Innovation, Scientific Researches in Management; Iran · Feb 1, 2018
  • Requirements of industrial development discourse, Scientific Researches in Management; Iran · Oct 1, 2017
  • A Journey through Design-Driven and Systemic Innovation ─ ICBDDM, Shanghai Aug 2024
  • The Conceptual Model of XR and AI Synergy ─ ICID (Intelligent Design), Xi An, China Oct 2023