Dr. Matteo Zallio is an Assistant Professor in Design at the University of Cambridge, whose work bridges inclusive design, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. With a dual background in academia and industry, he leads research and strategy to ensure digital and physical environments are inclusive, ethical, and designed for all. From advising S&P 500 companies to founding the Metavethics Institute, Matteo champions inclusive innovation that transforms complexity into opportunity for everyone.
Biography
Dr. Zallio explores how inclusive design and artificial intelligence converge to create ethical, human-centered experiences. His research focuses on designing emerging technologies that adapt to people’s diverse needs, bridging innovation across digital and physical environments.
Alongside his academic leadership, Dr. Zallio brings deep industry expertise. He is the founder of the Metavethics Institute, a think tank dedicated to researching and developing ethical futures in phygital environments. He previously served as Global Accessibility Lead and Senior Experience Researcher at Autodesk, and has advised S&P 500 companies such as Amazon, as well as Silicon Valley–based venture capital firms like Plug and Play, and thousands of start-ups on inclusive innovation, design thinking, and responsible AI, shaping design strategies in architecture, engineering, healthcare, education, and digital technology.
A Fulbright Research Fellow at Stanford University, Dr. Zallio also holds an appointment as Adjunct Faculty at Dublin City University and was previously an A. Graves Research Fellow at Technological University Dublin. He is passionate about helping teams transform complex challenges into inclusive opportunities by embedding ethical approaches and evidence-based design into products, services, and policy development.
Research
Dr. Matteo Zallio is the Research Director of the Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab at the University of Cambridge. His research lies at the intersection of inclusive design, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on ethically developing emerging technologies that address the diverse needs of people across digital and physical environments.
Dr. Zallio is a member of the Inclusive Design Group at the Engineering Design Centre and the Behaviour and Building Performance Group in the Department of Architecture at Cambridge. He is also the founder of SEIDE – Sustainable Ethics for Inclusive Digital Environments, a research initiative hosted by the Digital Education Futures Initiative at Hughes Hall. Through SEIDE, his team investigates how inclusive and ethical frameworks can guide the future of AI, education, and immersive technologies.
At the heart of Dr. Zallio’s research is the ambition to transform complex societal and technological challenges into inclusive opportunities through evidence-based, data-informed, and creatively driven design strategies. His work blends academic rigor with real-world impact, shaping responsible innovation across academia and industry and creating meaningful change in communities around the world.
Research Themes
- Inclusive Design Futures
Developing tools and frameworks, such as the IDEA Toolkit, that embed accessibility, inclusive design, and ethical principles into the design of physical and digital environments.
- Evidence-Based UX Research
Advancing user research methodologies that combine qualitative insights with measurable outcomes to guide inclusive, human-centered design across physical and digital environments.
- Phygital Human-Centered Interaction and Spatial Experience Design
Investigating how the convergence of physical and digital spaces, such as in smart buildings and Digital Twins, can foster inclusion and enhance human well-being.
- Agentic Inclusive Design
Investigating how design can empower individuals to act with autonomy, confidence, and purpose, shaping technologies and environments that support agency, inclusivity, and self-determination.
- Design Thinking
Applying design thinking as a strategic, people-centered process to uncover unmet needs, generate creative solutions, and prototype inclusive, ethical, and impactful technologies across sectors.
For research enquiries, please contact Dr. Matteo Zallio at mz461@cam.ac.uk
Publications
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=IUw53pAAAAAJ
Journals
Zallio, M., Ike, C.B., Chivăran, C., (2025). Designing Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Safety in Human-Centric Emerging Technologies. AI 2025, 6, 143. https://doi.org/10.3390/ai6070143 - Link
Zallio, M., Chivăran, C., Clarkson, P.J. (2024). Exploring Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in the Built Environment: A Case Study. Buildings 2024, 14, 3018. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14093018 - Link
Korn, O., Zallio, M., and Schnitzer, B. (2024) Young skeptics: exploring the perceptions of virtual worlds and the metaverse in generations Y and Z. Front. Virtual Real. 5:1330358. doi: 10.3389/frvir.2024.1330358 - Link
Zallio, M., Clarkson, P.J. (2023). A study to depict challenges and opportunities building industry professionals face when designing inclusive and accessible buildings, Architectural Science Review, DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2023.2270983 - Link
Zallio, M., Chivăran, C., Capece, S., Clarkson. P. J., Buono, M. (2023). Inclusive spatial learning experience: An exploratory framework to deliver human-environment interactions. Strategic Design Research Journal. Volume 15, number 03, September - December 2022. 262-276. DOI: 10.4013/sdrj.2022.153.04. Link
Zallio M., Clarkson P.J. (2022). Designing the Metaverse: A study on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Safety for digital immersive environments,
Telematics and Informatics, 2022, 101909, ISSN 0736-5853, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2022.101909. Link
Zallio M., Clarkson P.J. (2022). The inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility audit. A post-occupancy evaluation method to help design the buildings of tomorrow. Building and Environment, 2022, 109058, ISSN 0360-1323,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109058. Link
Zallio M., Grey T., Boland P., Kelly H., White P.J., O’Ferrall E. (2022). Online-based participatory design. A Case Study of Developing International Standards During a Pandemic. Strategic Design Research Journal. Volume 15, number 01, January–April2022. 39-51. DOI: 10.4013/sdrj.2022.151.05. Link
Zallio M., Porfirione C., Burlando F. (2022). From Open-Source 3D Printing to Industrial Manufacturing. A Life Cycle Assessment Study on Handy Multitool. DIID Journal (Disegno Industriale, Industrial Design), Issue N°76/22. Designrama. ISBN: 979-12-5477-097-9. Link
Zallio M., Clarkson P.J. (2021). Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in the built environment: A study of architectural design practice. Building and Environment, Volume 206, 2021,108352, ISSN 0360-1323, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108352. Link
Porfirione C., Zallio M. (2020). Facilitatori comunicativi come strumenti di inclusione sociale, MD Journal N° 10, Dicembre 2020 Anno IV, ISSN 2531-9477 [online] ISBN 978-88-85885-10-3 [print], pg.186 - 197. Link
Van Staalduinen W.H., Ganzarain J.G., Dantas C., Rodriguez F., Stiehr K., Schulze J., Fernandez-Rivera C., Kelly P., McGrory J., Pritchard C., Berry D., Zallio M., Ciesla A., Ulanicka M., Renaux S., Guzy M. (2020). Learning to implement Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments," Translational Medicine @ UniSa: Vol. 23 : Iss. 4 , Article 21. Link
Zallio M. (2019). Design, emotions and wearable devices. DIID Journal (Disegno Industriale, Industrial Design), Issue N°67/19. Design and Technologies - Design, robotics and machines in the post-human age. ISBN: 9788832080209. Link
Zallio M., Berry D. (2017). Design and Planned Obsolescence. A review of theories and approaches impacting on Enabling Technologies, The Design Journal, An International Journal for All Aspects of Design, Volume 20, 2017. ISSN: 1460-6925. Link
Zallio M. (2014) Robot Interface Design Workshop in Genoa. In Abitare & Anziani, 1/2014. Issue n°15 ISSN: 2037-1594.
Conferences
Kumar, T., Zallio, M. (2025). Unpacking the Invisible: Human Factors in a Data-Driven World. In: Tareq Z. Ahram, Waldemar Karwowski and Pei-Luen Rau (eds) Human-Computer Interaction & Emerging Technologies. AHFE (2025) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 195. AHFE International, USA.
http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1006244 - Link
Chong, J., Tu, X., Zallio, M. (2025). Ethical Implications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Workspaces: Challenges and Opportunities to Promote Inclusion and Safety. In: Tareq Ahram, Waldemar Karwowski, Carlo Martino, Giuseppe Di Bucchianico and Vincenzo Maselli (eds) Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2025): Integrating People and Intelligent Systems. AHFE (2025) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 160. AHFE International, USA. Link
Zallio, M., Huang, T., Osaki, Y., Hong, S., Chang, X., Liu, W., Ohashi, T. (2024). The Ethics of Immersion: A Scoping Review of VR and AR Technologies. In: Matteo Zallio (eds) Accessibility, Assistive Technology and Digital Environments. AHFE (2024) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 121. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004617 Link
Zallio, M., Korn, O. (2023). Perceptions on Digital, Virtual Environments and the Metaverse. An Exploratory Study with Younger Users. In: Matteo Zallio (eds) Human-Centered Metaverse and Digital Environments. AHFE (2023) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 99. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003930
Zallio, M., Ohashi, T., Clarkson, J. (2023). Designing the Metaverse: a Scoping Review to Map Current Research Effort on Ethical Implications.. In: Matteo Zallio (eds) Human-Centered Metaverse and Digital Environments. AHFE (2023) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 99. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003935 Download
Zallio, M., Clarkson, P. J. (2023). Metavethics: Ethical, integrity and social implications of the metaverse. In: Tareq Ahram, Waldemar Karwowski, Pepetto Di Bucchianico, Redha Taiar, Luca Casarotto and Pietro Costa (eds) Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2023): Integrating People and Intelligent Systems. AHFE (2023) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 69. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1002891 Download
Zallio M., Clarkson P. J. (2022). The Inclusive Design Canvas. A Strategic Design Template for Architectural Design Professionals. Proceedings of the Design Society, 2, 81-90. doi:10.1017/pds.2022.9 Download
Zallio M., Ohashi, T. (2022). The Evolution of Assistive Technology: A Literature Review of Technology Developments and Applications. In: Matteo Zallio (eds) Human Factors in Accessibility and Assistive Technology. AHFE (2022) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 37. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001646 Download
Korn O., Zallio M. (2022). Perspectives on Social Health Robots: How Experts’ Views Improved from 2017 to 2021. In Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments (PETRA '22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 125–128. https://doi.org/10.1145/3529190.3531223 - Download
Zallio M., Clarkson P. J. (2021). On Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Civil Engineering and Architectural Design. A Review of Assessment Tools. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED21), Gothenburg, Sweden, 16-20 August 2021. DOI:10.1017/pds.2021.491 - Download
Fernandez C., Zallio M., Berry D., McGrory J. (2021). Towards a People-First Engineering Design Approach. A Comprehensive Ontology for Designing Inclusive Environments. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED21), Gothenburg, Sweden, 16-20 August 2021. DOI:10.1017/pds.2021.579 - Download
Zallio M. (2021). Democratizing Information Visualization. A Study to Map the Value of Graphic Design. In: Soares M.M., Rosenzweig E., Marcus A. (eds) Design, User Experience, and Usability: UX Research and Design. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12779. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78221-4_33 - Link - Download
Chivaran C., Zallio M., Waller S., Clarkson, P. J. (2021). Visual Accessibility and Inclusion. An Exploratory Study to Understand Visual Accessibility in the Built Environment. Proceedings Smart Accessibility 2021, pp.1-7. IARIA, 2021. ISBN: 978-1-61208-876-1. Download
Zallio M., Kelly P., Cryan B., Berry D. (2021). A Co-Design Approach for a Smart Cooking Appliance. The Application of a Domain Specific Language. In: Ahram T.Z., Falcão C.S. (eds) Advances in Usability, User Experience, Wearable and Assistive Technology. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 275. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80091-8_59. Link - Download - Best Paper Award
Zallio M., Berry D., McGrory J. (2020). How to Democratize Internet of Things Devices: A Participatory Design Study to Improve Digital Literacy. In: Di Bucchianico G., Shin C., Shim S., Fukuda S., Montagna G., Carvalho C. (eds) Advances in Industrial Design. AHFE 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1202. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51194-4_19. ISBN: 978-3-030-51193-7. Link - Download
Zallio M., Berry D., Leifer L.J. (2019). Meaningful Age-Friendly Design. Case Studies on Enabling Assistive Technology. In: Ahram T., Falcão C. (eds) Advances in Usability and User Experience. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 972. Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19135-1_76. Link
Mincolelli G., Imbesi S., Zallio M. (2019). Collaborative Quality Function Deployment. A Methodology for Enabling Co-design Research Practice. In: Di Bucchianico G. (eds) Advances in Design for Inclusion. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 954. Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20444-0_9. Link
Fernández-Rivera C.M., Aceves-González C., Zallio M., Mireles-Ramirez M. (2019) Inclusive Healthcare Waiting Rooms: A Comparison Study for Improving the User Experience Within Built Environment. In: Charytonowicz J., Falcão C. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Architecture, Sustainable Urban Planning and Infrastructure. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 966. Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20151-7_15. Link
Kelly P., Zallio M., Duarte B., Berry D. (2019). Design for Enabling Technologies. A Framework to Empower Multi-level User Engagement. In: Di Bucchianico G. (eds) Advances in Design for Inclusion. AHFE 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 776. Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94622-1_7. Link
McGrory J., Arribas Velasco A., Zallio M. (2018). Connectivity & collaboration is about inclusion. Proceedings of SEEDS - Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society- conference, Dublin Institute of Technology, 6-7 September 2018, Dublin - Ireland. Link
Zallio M., Berry D. (2018). Computer Aided Drawing software delivered through Emotional Learning. The use of Emoticons and GIFs as a tool for increasing student engagement. Proceedings of the 32nd International BCS Human Computer Interaction Conference (HCI 2018), 4 - 6 July 2018, Belfast, UK. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14236/ewic/HCI2018.75. Link
Mccalmont G., Zheng H., Wang H., Mcclean S., Zallio M., Berry D. (2018). A Lightweight Classification Algorithm for Human Activity Recognition in Outdoor Spaces. Proceedings of the 32nd International BCS Human Computer Interaction Conference (HCI 2018), 4 - 6 July 2018, Belfast, UK. Link
Zallio M., Rifai H., Kelly P., Shoji Y., Berry D. (2018). Human Activity Detection Patterns: A Pilot Study for Unobtrusive Discovery of Daily Working Routine. In: Karwowski W., Ahram T., Intelligent Human Systems Integration. IHSI 2018 Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol .722. Springer, ISBN: 9783319738871. Link
Zallio M., McGrory J., Berry D. (2017). IoT Based Recipes for Enabling Senior Citizens: Stakeholders Views on How Integration of IoT and Web Services Can Enhance Well-Being and Inclusion of Older People. In: Di Bucchianico G., Kercher P., Advances in Design for Inclusion. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 587. Springer, International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, 17-21 July 2017, Los Angeles, CA, USA. ISBN: 9783319605968. Link
Zallio M., Berry D., Casiddu N. (2016). Adaptive homes for enabling senior citizens: A holistic assessment tool for housing design and IoT-based technologies, proceedings of the IEEE 3rd World Forum of Internet of Things (Wf- IoT), 12-14 December 2016, Reston VA, USA ISBN: 9781509041305. Link
Zallio M., Casiddu N. (2016). Lifelong Housing Design: User feedback evaluation of smart objects and accessible houses for healthy ageing, proceedings of the 9th ACM International Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments PETRA, Corfù, Greece, 29 June-1 July 2016. ACM NY, USA, ISBN: 9781450343374. Link
Zallio M., Kelly P., Jakuska M., Rifai H., Berry D. (2016). Design of a community-supported CapAble microwave system for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, in Lectures Notes in Electrical Engineering, N° 426, proceedings of the 7th AAL Italian forum 2016, Pisa, Italy 20-23 June 2016. Springer Switzerland: ISBN: 9783319542829. Link
Zallio M., Casiddu N. (2015). Environment Design Sustaining Users: Lifelong Housing Design, proceedings of the 6th AAL - Italian forum 2015, Lecco, Italy 19-22 May 2015, p. 69-72.
Casiddu N., Porfirione C., Zallio M. (2015). Design of a secure habitat for an enhanced long living: case study - S.H.E.L.L. project, proceedings of the 5th AAL - Italian Forum 2014, Catania, 2 - 5 September 2014, p. 397- 406, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015. ISBN: 9783319183732. Link
Casiddu N., Cesta A., Cortellessa G., Orlandini A., Porfirione C., Divano A., Micheli E., Zallio M. (2015). Robot Inter- face Design: The Giraff Telepresence Robot for Social Interaction, proceedings of the 5th AAL - Italian Forum 2014, Catania, 2 - 5 September 2014, p. 499 – 509, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015. ISBN: 9783319183732. Link
Casiddu N., Porfirione C., Zallio M. (2014). Designing the Sense-Able Home, proceedings of the 5th STS Italian Conference, Milan, 12 – 14 June 2014, p. 1325 – 1341, STS Italia Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9789078146056
Casiddu N., Cavallo F., Micheli E., Zallio M., Dario P. (2014). Robot Interface Design of domestic and condominium robot for ageing population, proceedings of the 4th AAL - Italian Forum 2013, Ancona, 23-25 October 2013. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014. ISBN: 9783319011189. Link
Books and book chapters
Zallio, M., Clarkson, P.J. (2023). The Ethics of the Metaverse and Digital, Virtual and Immersive Environments: Metavethics. In: Hassanien, A.E., Darwish, A., Torky, M. (eds) The Future of Metaverse in the Virtual Era and Physical World. Studies in Big Data, vol 123. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29132-6_6 Link
Zallio M. (2023). Human-Centered Metaverse and Digital Environments. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the affiliated conferences, San Francisco, USA, 20-24 July, 2023. ISBN: 978-1-958651-75-9 DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1003924 Download
Zallio M. (2022). Age Friendly Design. Genova University Press, ISBN: 978-88-3618-127-8. Link
Zallio M., Zanutto, O. (2022). Housing a misura di senior. Progettare abitazioni age-friendly. Maggioli Editore, ISBN: 978-88-916-5811-1. Link - Amazon
Auernhammer J., Zallio M., Domingo L., Leifer L. (2022). Facets of Human-Centered Design: The Evolution of Designing by, with, and for People. In Design Thinking Research, Springer International Publishing, ISBN: 978-3-031-09297-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09297-8_12. Link - Download
Zallio M. (2022). Human Factors and Assistive Technology. Proceedings of the 13th AHFE 2022 International Conference on Human Factors and Assistive Technology, New York, USA, July 24-28, 2022. Issue 37, vol 37. ISBN: 978-1-958651-13-1, DOI: http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001635. Link - Download
Zallio M., Ibañez C. R., Hernandez J. H. (2021). Advances in Human Factors in Robots, Unmanned Systems and Cybersecurity. Proceedings of the AHFE 2021 Virtual Conferences on Human Factors in Robots, Drones and Unmanned Systems, and Human Factors in Cybersecurity, July 25-29, 2021, USA. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Springer, Cham, ISBN: 978-3-030-79996-0, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79997-7. Link
Zallio M. (2020). Advances in Human Factors in Robots, Drones and Unmanned Systems. Proceedings of the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Human Factors in Robots, Drones and Unmanned Systems, July 16-20, 2020, USA. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Springer International Publishing, ISBN: 978-3-030-51757-1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51758-8. Link
Zallio M., Fisk M.J. (2019) Smart Homes. In: Gu D., Dupre M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Springer, Cham. Link
Zallio M. (2015). Environment Design Sustaining Users: The Housing Design in Ambient Assisted Living, PhD dissertation, April 2015
Zallio M. (2013). Housing & telepresence. In: N. Casiddu, E. Micheli, Human Centered Robotic Design, pg. 124-134, Firenze, Alinea Editrice, ISBN: 9788860556707. Link
Zallio M. (2013). Home automation and technology: renewal of existing buildings. In: M. Benedetta Spadolini, Design for better life. Longevità: scenari e strategie, pg.102-110, Milano, Franco Angeli, ISBN: 9788820421229. Link
