Keynote Speaker
Associate Professor Tony Huang
University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia
Profile: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/weidong.huang
Bio: Dr. Tony Huang is an Associate Professor from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He received his PhD in computer science from the University of Sydney. His main research interests are in Human-Computer Interaction and Visual Perception. He has over 150 publications in these areas. He has served as conference chair, program committee chair, and organization chair for international events. He is the former Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, an Associate Editor for Behaviour and Information Technology, and a Chair of the IEEE SMC’s award wining Technical Committee on Visual Analytics and Communication. He has also guest-edited a number of SCI-indexed journals.
Abstract: Data visualization has been understood primarily as a tool for discovery and communication—to reveal patterns within data and convey them clearly to others. However, the ultimate goal of visualization extends beyond understanding, toward insight and, ultimately, meaningful change—such as supporting decision-making and driving behavioral transformation. Yet, this potential remains largely unexplored. In this talk, I argue that visualization should not only help users see data but also think with data—facilitating creativity, reflection, and action. I will introduce the concept of Generative Data Visualization, a transdisciplinary approach that integrates principles from creative intelligence and design thinking. Through two case studies, I will demonstrate how visualization—when designed through transdisciplinary and human-centered lenses—can empower users to move from data interpretation to insight generation, enabling more informed decision-making and fostering behavioral change for environmental sustainability.