Margret Dora (Magga Dora) has a degree in psychology and computer science and is primarily interested in how people use computers and technology. She has been working in IT for the past 11 years and has placed herself firmly on the border between users and technology. As an analyst, requirements manager, usability specialist and interaction designer she has taken the side of the user and defended her during the development process.
Education
	1994 – 2003 University of Iceland (www.hi.is) M.Sc. Computer Science 2003. Thesis: Do You Copy? Using Language Technology to Support Communication in Air Traffic Control. B.A. Psychology 1998. Thesis: Áhrif sársauka á frammistöðu á taugasálfræðilegum prófum (The effects of pain on performance in neuropsychological tests). 1989 – 1993 Commercial College of Iceland (www.verslo.is) Matriculation as a Science major 1993.
Work experience
	07/2006 – Siminn (Iceland Telecom) (www.siminn.is) Usability specialist Responsible for the usability of Siminn’s internal and external web user interfaces. Lead designer in a redesign of internal user interfaces for frontline staff. 08/2003 – University of Iceland (www.hi.is) Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science 2006- Adjunct professor 2003- Lecturer Graduate Course Responsible for the graduate course on Human Factors. Regular guest lecturer on usability at the undergraduate User Interface Programming course. 04/2006-04/2007 Marimo (www.marimo.is) Co-founder. Co-founder and main strategist. 04/2004-07/2006 Calidris (www.calidris.com) Configuration and Change Manager Responsible for configuration and change management in Calidris’ software development for product releases. Included overseeing deployments of software releases to customers such as Finnair, British Airways and Emirates. 02/2003-04/2004 Hex Software (www.hex.is) Director of Character Creation and Usability Responsibilities included designing voice user interfaces for clients to enable their customers to access information through a phone. 09-12/2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (web.mit.edu) Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Research Assistant Assistant to Professor John Hansman in studying the influence of new technology on oceanic air traffic control. 1998-2002 OZ Communications Inc (www.oz.com) 12/1999-07/2002, Product Manager Product Manager for iPulse, with usability and requirements management as a special responsibility. iPulse was a mobile instant messaging solution developed in close conjunction with L.M. Ericsson. 09-12/1999, Community Manager Analyzed internet Communities and their application in the corporate environment. 05-09/1999, Technical Writer Editor of the online help for the World Editor (an in-house 3D virtual reality editor). 06-09/1998, Character Creator Creation of Intelligent Agents. 1997-1998, University of Iceland (www.hi.is) Department of Psychology 09-12/1998 Head Lecturer Oversaw the lecturers of the Work Methods in Psychological studies course. 09/1997-12/1998 Teachers’ Assistant Introduction to Psychology. Perceptual Psychology. 09/1997-12/1998 Research Assistant Assisted, among others Prof. Jörgen Pind, with psychological research (administration of research and analysis of data). 09-12/1997 Lecturer Undergraduate Course Work Methods in Psychology Studies.
Peer reviewed publication
	2008, Untangling the mess – A redesign of a technical environment for a telecommunication company call centre. Part I: Understanding user needs. Proceedings of NES 2008 (www.nes2008.is). 2006, Using Language Technology to Increase Efficiency and Safety in ATC Communication. Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, 1542-9423 vol.3 no.12 (587-602) (http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=406). With Hvannberg, E.Th., and Waage, H. 2003, Language Technology in Air Traffic Control. Proceedings of DASC (http://www.dasconline.org/). With Hvannberg, E.Th. and Waage, H. 2003, Impact of Operating Context on the Use of Structure in Air Traffic Control Cognitive Processes. Proceedings of ATM2003 (http://atm2003.eurocontrol.fr/). With Davison, H., Histon, J. and Hansman, R. J.
Other publication
	1998-2005 A journalist and regular columnist for Tölvuheimur (PC World Iceland). 1999, Bókin um PsyScope, (The book on PsyScope - http://psyscope.psy.cmu.edu/) with Olason, D., Halldorsdottir, Th. H. and Pind, J. 1998-9 Translator of a self-learn book series: ’Heimasíður – Á eigin spýtur’ (translated from English, ’10 Minutes Guide to Making Homepages’) on making homepages. ’Windows 98 – Á eigin spýtur’ (translated from Danish, ‘Windows 98 – Lær det selv’) on Windows 98.
Presentations
	2009, Mind control – practical application on TEDx Reykjavik – www.tedxreykjavik.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXC0hqze718&feature=PlayList&p=A046A4C0C8668A6A&index=9 2008 and 2009, Viðmótshönnun (User interface design), a part of the course on Web Management at the continuous education of Reykjavik University – http://www.ru.is. 2008, Athygli (Attention) Icelandic Web Awards – www.svef.is 2008, Þetta virkar! (It works!). Luncheon by the special interest group on software testing by the Icelanding management association – www.stjornvisi.is 2007, Að vera notalegur: Hvað gera nytsemissérfærðingar? (Being usable: What do usability specialists do?). Res Extensa http://www.resextensa.org/ 2007, Nytsemissérfræðingur (Usability expert). Breakfast meeting of the Icelandic Ergonomics Society. http://vinnis.is/ 2006, Hvern má ég kynna? Að hanna fyrir sinn markhóp (Who may I introduce? Designing for your usergroup.) Workshop for designers of the Icebank online banking department (later http://www.teris.is/).
Awards
	2009, Best icelandic web 2008 and best user interface awarded to www.siminn.is at the Icelandic Web Awards. As a part of the web department behind this website, focusing on customer self-service. 2008, Best local project on incorporating ergonomics in the workplace awarded to Redesign of a technical environment for a telecommunications company call center at NES 2008. Lead designer.
Service
	2009 Public relations chair for NordiCHI 2010 – www.nordichi2010.org 2008 Founding member of Arctic Girl Geek Dinner (Tæknitátur – http://taeknitatur.hexia.net) a Girl Geek Dinner group – http://girlgeekdinners.com. 2000-2002, Konur til forystu og jafnara námsval kynjanna An equal rights project run by the University of Iceland and the Equal Rights Commission in Iceland. Representing the Ministry of Education. 2000-2001 Head of the OZ FunnyCommittee (Society of OZ Employees).
Language
	Icelandic; native with experience as a journalist and translator. English; fluent. Danish (Scandinavian); good. German; fair.
Interests
	Human Factors and Design: Studying how the human factor must be taken into consideration in design of equipment and machinery. Design: I’m passionate about design, especially where function meets beauty. Photography: I’m an amateur photographer (http://www.tabblo.com/studio/person/mdr/). Travelling: I love to travel to exotic places and combine this interest with the one above. Music: Studied piano for a long time and sang in choirs. The list: My husband and I have a “bucket list” which lists all the things we want to do in our lives. Among other things, living abroad and working as an interaction designer is on the list.
References
	Ebba Thora Hvannberg, (ebba@hi.is). Professor of Computer Science, University of Iceland Jörgen Pind, (jorgen@hi.is). Professor of Psychology, University of Iceland Thorarinn Stefansson (toti@mobilitus.com), CEO Mobilitus - www.mobilitus.com
	Updated 25/10/09