Research in Academia and the Professional Practice in Interaction Design

Great design happens in academia and in the professional practice. Imagine when the two should meet. Yet researchers and practitioners often work in parallel, missing opportunities to learn from each other’s discoveries, challenges, and innovations.

The RAPPID Working Conference  – Research in Academia and the Professional Practice in Interaction Design – exists to change that. We bring together scholars and industry professionals for genuine exchange—not just presentations, but conversations that lead to lasting collaborations, shared tools, and actionable insights that advance the field.

Building on discussions at conferences like CHI, INTERACT, and UXPA, RAPPID focuses specifically on what it takes to bridge the research-practice gap. We explore the structural barriers, celebrate the successes, and work together to create sustainable partnerships between academia and industry and explore structural means to foster continued exchanges.

Our inaugural edition took place in London in 2025, organized by José Abdelnour Nocera of the University of West London. It brought together practitioners and researchers ready to move beyond talking about the gap to actually closing it. Each year, we’ll continue this work—creating a platform where theoretical innovation and practical application inform and strengthen each other.

Join RAPPID 2026 to contribute to this process. We invite both scholars, professional designers and design educators to share their experiences, their research and their challenges.