Celebrating Innovation: Professor Clara Mancini receives ACI Outstanding Career Impact Award

The 10th Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) conference, held at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, USA, became a milestone not only for its anniversary but for the surprising inauguration of the Outstanding Career Impact Award. Among the attendees was The Open University’s Professor Clara Mancini, who received an unexpected honour that stirred a whirlwind of emotions.

Sharing her initial reaction Professor Mancini said, "I am a member of the ACI Steering Committee, but had been duly kept in the dark, so it was a complete surprise. I felt incredibly honoured and humbled that my colleagues would consider me for such an award... it brought tears to my eyes. I was and am profoundly grateful."

Dr David Roberts, President of the ACI conference, provided the context to the gravitas of the award by saying, “The ACI Steering Committee created this Outstanding Career Impact Award to recognize individuals who contribute scholarship, leadership, mentoring, and other intangible things to the growth and vibrancy of the ACI community.”

Adding, “Dr Mancini has distinguished contributions in all of these areas. Her seminal writings circa 2011 have gained a reputation for being among the bedrocks of the ACI field, and her leadership in organizing the annual International Conference and service on the steering committee and various subcommittees have further contributed to the field's maturation.” 

Reflecting on some pivotal moments from her career, Professor Mancini said one of the standout achievements was the publication of the Animal-Computer Interaction Manifesto in 2011 as it a defining commitment to a field blending technology and animals. Another crucial moment was securing a Special Interest Group on ACI within the largest Human-Computer Interaction conference, attracting substantial interest and setting the stage for independent ACI conferences.

The significance of this recognition cannot be understated for Professor Mancini, "My heart and soul, sweat and blood, have been in this field for 12 years. I am deeply passionate about and committed to working towards a world in which animal-centred technology closes the gap between humans and other animals that anthropocentric technology has opened and widened over millennia."

While she has received awards for publications in the past, this Career Impact Award holds unique importance, stemming from the appreciation of a highly respected community. "This award gives me huge encouragement to continue on such a journey, together with my ACI colleagues," she added.

Expressing hope for the award's wider impact, she said, "I also hope that this award might contribute to further increasing the growing visibility of the field, our collective work, and what we stand for as a community."

Professor Mancini’s aspirations extend beyond personal recognition, aiming to leverage this honour to advance the cause she holds dear. "What we [research team] do is so important and so very needed, and I truly believe that it can change the world for the better," she concluded.

The surprise award not only honoured Professor Mancini’s individual dedication but also spotlighted the emerging field's significance, encapsulating a commitment to bridging the gap between technology and the animal kingdom for a more inclusive and sustainable future.