Dr Matteo Zallio is an Assistant Professor in Design at the University of Cambridge and Research Director of the Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab. His research, encapsulated by Inclusive AI Design Futures Cambridge, focuses on creating ethical and human-centered experiences by investigating the convergence of inclusive design, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies (like the Metaverse and Digital Twins). With a strong background in industry, including roles at Autodesk and advising S&P 500 companies, he applies design thinking and evidence-based methodologies to shape responsible innovation in both digital and physical environments globally.
Dr Matteo Zallio | Assistant Professor in Design: Inclusive AI Design Futures Cambridge Supervisor
- Research Director, Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab
- University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture
Quick Profile Summary
| Detail | Content |
|---|---|
| Position | Assistant Professor in Design |
| Affiliation | Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge |
| Interdisciplinary Roles | Co-Director, BBP Group; Member, Engineering Design Centre (Engineering); Member, AI@Cam; Member, Centre for Science and Policy |
| Key Initiative | Founder, Metavethics Institute; Founder, SEIDE; Research Director, Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab |
| Specialization | Inclusive Design, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Phygital Environments, Design Thinking |
| External Appointment | Adjunct Faculty, Dublin City University; Fulbright Research Fellow, Stanford University |
Introduction and Research Niche
Dr Matteo Zallio is a leading academic whose work bridges the practical demands of industry with the ethical rigor of academia, shaping Inclusive AI Design Futures Cambridge. His research at the Department of Architecture and the Engineering Design Centre explores how inclusive design and artificial intelligence must converge to create ethical, human-centered experiences across both digital and physical environments—the ‘phygital’ space.
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He brings a unique perspective as the former Global Accessibility Lead and Senior Experience Researcher at Autodesk, and as the founder of the Metavethics Institute, a think tank focused on ethical futures in digital environments. Dr. Zallio is dedicated to ensuring that emerging technologies are designed for all, making his lab the ideal destination for students seeking to blend design, technology, and social impact.
Graduate Research Opportunities (For Prospective Students)
Dr. Zallio is seeking highly motivated PhD and MPhil candidates across disciplines (Design, HCI, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, Psychology) interested in shaping Inclusive AI Design Futures Cambridge through evidence-based methodologies. Research is typically conducted within the Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab and intersects with his roles in the BBP Group and the AI@Cam Research Centre.
1. Research Stream: Ethical AI and Phygital Environments (Metavethics)
This stream focuses on the ethical, integrity, and social implications of emerging technologies as they move from digital-only to ‘phygital’ immersive experiences. Students will investigate how to proactively design future digital worlds to prevent exclusion and harm.
- Topics: Developing ethical, safety, and accessibility frameworks for the Metaverse and Virtual/Augmented Reality (Metavethics); Investigating the principles of Agentic Inclusive Design to empower individuals in smart environments; Defining inclusive and ethical guidelines for AI-driven education (via the SEIDE initiative).
2. Research Stream: Inclusive Design in the Built and Smart Environment
This area applies inclusive principles to architecture, engineering, and the built environment, ensuring physical spaces and the technologies within them are designed for human diversity and well-being.
- Topics: Advancing Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) methods, such as the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Audit, for future buildings; Designing inclusive Spatial Experience Design for smart buildings and Digital Twins; Exploring human factors and human activity detection patterns in architectural design for improved inclusion.
3. Research Stream: Evidence-Based Design Methodologies
This stream focuses on the tools and processes used to embed inclusion and ethics into the innovation pipeline, bridging academic rigor with industry need.
- Topics: Developing and validating practical frameworks like the IDEA Toolkit for professional use; Advancing UX research methodologies that combine qualitative user insights with measurable, quantitative outcomes; Applying Design Thinking as a strategic process for inclusive product and service development across healthcare, education, and technology.
Key Awards and Professional Roles
| Year | Award / Fellowship | Institution / Body |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Fulbright Research Fellow | Stanford University |
| N/A | Founder and Director | Metavethics Institute |
| N/A | Former Global Accessibility Lead | Autodesk |
| N/A | Advisor (Inclusive Innovation) | S&P 500 Companies (e.g., Amazon) and Venture Capital (e.g., Plug and Play) |
Selected Publications
Journal Article (2025): 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.
Journal Article (2022): 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.
Journal Article (2022): 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.
Book Chapter (2023): 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.
Conference Paper (2021): Zallio M., Kelly P., Cryan B., Berry D. (2021). “A Co-Design Approach for a Smart Cooking Appliance.” Advances in Usability, User Experience, Wearable and Assistive Technology. AHFE 2021. (Best Paper Award)
Contact Information
Prospective students interested in supervision should reach out via the following channels:
| Detail | Content |
|---|---|
| Email Address
|
mz461@cam.ac.uk |
| Research Lab | Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab |
| University Profile Page | Dr. Matteo Zallio’s University of Cambridge Profile |
Supervisory Ethos
Dr. Zallio is committed to fostering independent, ethically-minded, and industry-ready researchers. His supervisory ethos is highly collaborative, emphasizing evidence-based, data-informed, and creatively driven design strategies. He encourages candidates to bridge disciplines—combining the rigour of Human-Computer Interaction and engineering design with the contextual understanding of architecture and policy—to solve complex, real-world challenges. Students benefit directly from his extensive network and experience in Silicon Valley and global organizations, ensuring their research transforms academic complexity into tangible, inclusive opportunities that shape Inclusive AI Design Futures Cambridge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the core focus of the Inclusive and Ethical Design Futures Lab?
The lab investigates how to apply inclusive design and ethical AI principles to shape emerging technologies, focusing on developing human-centered digital and physical (phygital) environments that address the diverse needs of all people.
2. What does “phygital” mean in the context of your research?
Phygital refers to the blurring of the boundary between the physical and digital worlds. Dr. Zallio investigates this through technologies like Smart Buildings, Digital Twins, and the Metaverse, ensuring inclusion is maintained as these two environments merge.
3. What is the Metavethics Institute?
The Metavethics Institute is a think tank founded by Dr. Zallio dedicated to researching and developing ethical frameworks for digital, virtual, and immersive environments, specifically addressing the integrity and social implications of the Metaverse.
4. Do I need a technical/coding background to apply?
While familiarity with technology is helpful, candidates with strong backgrounds in qualitative research, policy, design, or social science are equally encouraged to apply. The work often requires a mixed-methods approach and the ability to bridge technical and social concerns.
5. What is the IDEA Toolkit?
The IDEA Toolkit is a framework developed within the lab to embed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles directly into the design process for both physical and digital environments, serving as a practical guide for design professionals.
6. Which departments can a PhD student be affiliated with?
A student would primarily be based in the Department of Architecture but would benefit from access to and collaboration with the Engineering Design Centre (EDC), the AI@Cam Research Centre, and the Centre for Science and Policy at the Judge Business School.
7. How does your industry experience benefit my PhD project?
Dr. Zallio’s extensive industry experience (e.g., Autodesk, Amazon advisory) ensures that research projects are grounded in real-world impact, connecting academic findings directly to industry needs, standards development, and commercial innovation strategies.
8. What is SEIDE, and what is its goal?
SEIDE (Sustainable Ethics for Inclusive Digital Environments) is a research initiative investigating how ethical frameworks can guide the future of AI, education, and immersive technologies to promote sustainable and inclusive digital practices.
9. What is Agentic Inclusive Design?
This is a research theme investigating how design can actively empower individuals to act with autonomy, confidence, and purpose. It focuses on shaping technologies and environments that support personal agency and self-determination for diverse user groups.
10. What kind of data or methods are typically used in the lab?
Research uses a mix of qualitative methods (user experience studies, co-design, participatory research) and quantitative methods (post-occupancy evaluation, Human-Computer Interaction metrics, data analysis from smart environments), emphasizing evidence-based outcomes.
