Designing technology around people

How can emerging technologies truly serve the people who use them?

This question is at the core of Manshul Belani’s research. As a new postdoctoral researcher at RC Trust, she joins the Compliant and Accountable Systems group led by Prof. Jat Singh, bringing a strong focus on human-centered design to the intersection of technology, society, and governance.

Manshul recently completed her PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, where she worked on developing learner-centered educational experiences in virtual reality. Her research explored how immersive technologies can be designed to better support learning processes – placing user needs, engagement, and accessibility at the forefront.

More broadly, her work focuses on designing user-centered approaches for emerging technologies. This includes questions of usability, accessibility, and how systems can be made engaging and meaningful for diverse groups of users. In this way, her research connects technical innovation with practical application and real-world impact.

At RC Trust, Manshul builds on this foundation by exploring how artificial intelligence can be responsibly integrated into extended reality (XR) systems. Her work addresses a key challenge for the next generation of digital technologies: how to combine powerful AI capabilities with transparency, trust, and positive user experiences.

This perspective complements the Compliant and Accountable Systems group’s interdisciplinary approach, which combines computer science with legal and societal considerations. By focusing on user needs and inclusive design, Manshul’s research adds an important dimension to ongoing discussions about accountability and responsibility in data-driven systems.

A particular emphasis of her work lies in accessible and inclusive technology development. Ensuring that emerging technologies can be used by a wide range of people – across different abilities, backgrounds, and contexts – is not only a design challenge, but also a question of fairness and participation in an increasingly digital society.

With Manshul Belani joining the team, RC Trust further strengthens its commitment to human-centered, responsible innovation – bridging immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and societal values.