Dr. Ylva Fernaeus

Professor

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Biography

Ylva Fernaeus is a Professor at Umeå Institute of Design and an Associate Professor in Interaction Design at KTH Stockholm. She holds a Docent qualification in her field and has been involved in research concerning the interplay between design philosophy and tangible, embodied interaction. Her work emphasizes careful, playful, and critical practices in design, particularly in relation to designing robotic and autonomous technologies. Fernaeus's research interests focus on the longevity of interactive systems, addressing themes such as care, repair, and craft in the context of technologies that resist the rapid innovation trends. She explores material understandings of interaction design, investigating how computational practices can be socially and materially grounded. Current research involves developing new tools and resources that prioritize efficient energy usage and experiential qualities in design. Fernaeus has also led projects related to Art and AI and engages in teaching methods and theories related to interaction design and product design at the master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

Umeå Institute of Design • Umeå, Sweden

Leading research and teaching in Interaction Design and related fields.

Associate Professor

— Present

KTH Royal Institute of Technology • Stockholm, Sweden

Part-time position focusing on Interaction Design.

Requirements for Umeå University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:5.5
Reading
Required:5.5
Writing
Required:5.5
Speaking
Required:5.5
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Writing
Required:20
Total
Required:90
PTE
Overall
Required:62
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in relevant field At least 90 ECTS in the main subject area
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree certificate
  • Transcripts of records
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Letter of Motivation (certain programs)
  • CV (certain programs)
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standard for Master's programs across Social Sciences and Humanities at Umeå. English 6 proficiency is the general rule.