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Currently I am an Assistant Professor at University of Madeira in the Informatics Engineering Department. I am motivated researcher with extensive knowledge in User Experience Research and Human- Computer Interaction data analysis methods that help assess, design and evaluate products, applications or services to better serve customer needs. My mixed background in Psychology and PhD in Informatics Engineering are a strong basis for usability evaluation and testing. I have conducted research mostly in the area of Energy consumption and production with small businesses and private households, but also used Child-Computer Interaction methodologies to assess energy related concepts and life-long learning skills.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Mary Alejandra Luiz Barreto

Citation names

  • Barreto, Mary

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
9C14-6D1B-B030
ORCID iD
0000-0002-9619-4254
Google Scholar ID
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EoPDxaoAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Email addresses

  • mary.barreto@staff.uma.pt (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Engineering and Technology - Electrotechnical Engineering, Electronics and Informatics
  • Social Sciences - Psychology
  • Exact Sciences - Computer and Information Sciences - Information Science

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2)
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
Spanish; Castilian Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Upper intermediate (B2) Intermediate (B1)
Education
Degree Classification
2010 - 2014/10/27
Concluded
 Informatics Engineering (Doutoramento)
Major in Human-Computer Interaction
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
"Towards the design of Eco-feedback Technologies for Families" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2009/12
Concluded
 Professional Masters in Human-Computer Interaction (Mestrado)
Major in Human-Computer Interaction
Carnegie Mellon University, United States
 18
2002/09 - 2007/09
Concluded
 Psychology (Licenciatura)
Major in Counselling and Vocational Orientation
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Portugal
 15
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2019/09/01 - Current Researcher (Research) Interactive Technologies Institute (ITI/LARSyS), Portugal
Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2025/12/02 - Current Assistant Professor (University Teacher) Universidade da Madeira, Portugal
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2020/02/09 - Current Invited Assistant Professor (University Teacher) Universidade da Madeira, Portugal
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal

Positions / Appointments

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2026/02/26 - Current Member of the Ethics Committee Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2015/09 - 2020/01/31 Investigação pós-doutoramento Universidade da Madeira Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Portugal
2010 - 2014/10 Assistente de Investigação Universidade da Madeira Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2015/09 - 2018/08 ARDITI Grant
M1420- 09-5369-FSE-000001
 ARDITI Agência Regional para o Desevolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação

Contract

Designation Funders
2023/08/01 - 2026/03/31 LARSyS - Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems
101094036
Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia, Portugal

Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2021/01/01 - 2025/12/31 LARSyS - Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia
LA/P/0083/2020
10.54499/LA/P/0083/2020
Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal

Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2020/01/01 - 2023/12/31 Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems
UIDP/50009/2020
10.54499/UIDP/50009/2020
Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia, Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal

Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal

Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2017/05 - 2021/04 SMart IsLand Energy systems
grant.731249
Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, Portugal
 European Comission
Concluded
2019/01/01 - 2019/12/31 Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia
UID/EEA/50009/2019
Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, Portugal

Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Book
  1. Dionisio, M.; Barreto, M.; Nisi, V.; Nunes, N.; Hanna, J.; Herlo, B.; Schubert, J.. Evaluation of Yasmine’s adventures: Exploring the socio-cultural potential of location aware multimedia stories. 2015.
    10.1007/978-3-319-27036-4_24
  2. Quintal, F.; Pereira, L.; Nunes, N.; Nisi, V.; Barreto, M.. WATTSBurning: Design and evaluation of an innovative eco-feedback system. 2013.
    10.1007/978-3-642-40483-2_32
  3. Quintal, F.; Barreto, M.; Nunes, N.; Nisi, V.; Pereira, L.. WattsBurning on my mailbox: A tangible art inspired eco-feedback visualization for sharing energy consumption. 2013.
    10.1007/978-3-642-40498-6_10
  4. Pereira, L.; Quintal, F.; Barreto, M.; Nunes, N.J.. Understanding the limitations of eco-feedback: A one-year long-term study. 2013.
    10.1007/978-3-642-39146-0_21
  5. Quintal, F.; Nisi, V.; Nunes, N.; Barreto, M.; Pereira, L.. Hometree-An art inspired mobile eco-feedback visualization. 2012.
    10.1007/978-3-642-34292-9-55
  6. Barreto, M.; Karapanos, E.; Nunes, N.. Social translucence as a theoretical framework for sustainable HCI. 2011.
    10.1007/978-3-642-23768-3_17
  7. Scott, M.; Barreto, M.; Quintal, F.; Oakley, I.. Understanding goal setting behavior in the context of energy consumption reduction. 2011.
    10.1007/978-3-642-23774-4_13
Book chapter
  1. Barreto, Mary. "Consumption Data in the Built Environment: A Concept Study Using Social Translucence Theory". 2019.
    10.1007/978-3-319-70875-1_9
Conference paper
  1. Beatriz Severes; Paulo Bala; Patricia Piedade; Eduardo Gomes; Augusto Esteves; Mary Barreto. "Making Sense of Our Data: Exploring Well-Being Self-Tracking Through Creative Collaboration". 2025.
    10.1145/3698061.3726950
  2. Barreto, Mary; Casado-Mansilla, Diego; Esteves, Augusto; Magno de Gouveia Quintal, Filipe. Corresponding author: Esteves, Augusto. "Designing Smart Plugs for Interactivity and Energy Sustainability via a Survey and Thematic Analysis". Aarhus, 2022.
    10.1145/3546155.3546681
  3. Casado-Mansill, D.; Quintal, F.; Barreto, M.; Esteves, A.. "Thinking about Eco-feedback and Smart Plugs via a Survey and Thematic Analysis". 2022.
  4. "Understanding the challenges behind Electric Vehicle usage by drivers - a case study in the Madeira Autonomous Region". 2020.
    10.1145/3401335.3401667
  5. "The Acceptance of Energy monitoria technologies: the case of local prosumers". 2019.
  6. Barreto, Mary. "MyTukxi: Low Cost Smart Charging for Small Scale EVs". 2019.
    10.1145/3290607.3312874
  7. Barreto, M.; Pereira, L.; Quintal, F.. "The acceptance of energy monitoring technologies: The case of local prosumers". 2019.
  8. Quintal, F.; Barreto, M.; Luis, F.; Baptista, V.; Esteves, A.. "Studying the immediacy of eco-feedback through plug level consumption information". 2018.
    10.23919/SustainIT.2017.8379809
  9. Nisi, V.; Nunes, N.J.; Quintal, F.; Barreto, M.. "SINAIS from fanal - Design and evaluation of an art-inspired eco-feedback system". 2013.
    10.1145/2499149.2499151
  10. Barreto, M.; Szóstek, A.; Karapanos, E.. "An initial model for designing socially translucent systems for behavior change". 2013.
    10.1145/2499149.2499162
  11. Barreto, M.; Scott, M.; Oakley, I.; Karapanos, E.; Nunes, N.J.; Gomes, S.; Gomes, J.. "Playing for the planet: Designing toys that foster sustainable values". 2013.
    10.1145/2501907.2501947
  12. Lyra, O.; Karapanos, E.; Gouveia, R.; Barreto, M.; Nisi, V.; Nunes, N.J.; Zimmerman, J.; Forlizzi, J.. "Towards persuasive sociometric technologies for inclusive educational settings". 2013.
    10.1145/2499149.2499163
  13. Barreto, M.; Karapanos, E.; Nunes, N.. "Why don't families get along with eco-feedback technologies? A longitudinal inquiry". 2013.
    10.1145/2499149.2499164
Journal article
  1. Lucas Pereira; Diogo Monteiro; Frederick Apina; Sabrina Scuri; Mary Barreto; Filipe Quintal; Hugo Morais. "Longitudinal Dataset of Net-load, PV Production and Solar Irradiation from Madeira Island, Portugal". Scientific Data (2025): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-06118-x.
    10.1038/s41597-025-06118-x
  2. Beatriz Severes; Mary Barreto; Augusto Esteves. "Designing for mental health in higher education: a collaborative approach to digital interventions". Behaviour & Information Technology (2025): https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2436503.
    10.1080/0144929X.2024.2436503
  3. "Can HCI Help Increase People’s Engagement in Sustainable Development? A Case Study on Energy Literacy". Sustainability 13 14 (2021): 7543-7543. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13147543.
    10.3390/su13147543
  4. Barreto, Mary. "A Mixed Reality neighborhood tour: Understanding visitor experience and perceptions". Entertainment Computing (2018): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2018.04.002.
    10.1016/j.entcom.2018.04.002
  5. Barreto, Mary. "Watt-I-See: Design and Evaluation of an Interactive Installation Using Eco-feedforward Strategies". Interacting with Computers (2018): http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwx016.
    10.1093/iwc/iwx016
  6. Dillahunt, T.; Lyra, O.; Barreto, M.L.; Karapanos, E.. "Reducing children's psychological distance from climate change via eco-feedback technologies". International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction 13 (2017): 19-28. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85021144751&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ijcci.2017.05.002
  7. Barreto, M.L.; Szóstek, A.; Karapanos, E.; Nunes, N.J.; Pereira, L.; Quintal, F.. "Understanding families' motivations for sustainable behaviors". Computers in Human Behavior 40 (2014): 6-15. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84906263248&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.chb.2014.07.042
  8. Gonçalves, J.; Kostakos, V.; Karapanos, E.; Barreto, M.; Camacho, T.; Tomasic, A.; Zimmerman, J.. "Citizen motivation on the go: The role of psychological empowerment". Interacting with Computers 26 3 (2014): 196-207. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84898402424&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1093/iwc/iwt035
  9. Karapanos, E.; Barreto, M.; Nisi, V.; Niforatos, E.. "Does locality make a difference? Assessing the effectiveness of location-aware narratives". Interacting with Computers 24 4 (2012): 273-279. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84866420945&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.intcom.2012.03.005
Activities

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2024/09 - Current The Impact of Gender on Parenting Stress: The intersection of socio-demographic variables, parenting styles, expectations and workload
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Psicologia Clínica, da Saúde e Bem-Estar (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Artes e Humanidades, Portugal
2024 - Current Empowering children for the cities of the future: integrating computational thinking in early childhood education through tangible technology toolkits
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design de Media Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024 - Current Proteção e Conservação dos Insetos Através da Divulgação nos Media
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design de Media Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2022 - Current Improving Mental Health in Universities
Co-supervisor
 Computer Science and Engineering (PhD)
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2024/09 - 2025/11 Preserving Tradition: A Game-Based Approach to Documenting Madeira Islands Wine Making Process
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design de Media Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024/06 - 2025/10 PetFlag®- Platform for Animal Welfare: Raising Awareness and Tracking Lost and Found Animals
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Engenharia Informática (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2023/09 - 2024/11 Designing Accessible Web Intefaces for Autistic People
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design de Media Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2022/09 - 2023/11 Interaction Design Applied to the design of sensor integration experiences
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design de Media Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2022/07 - 2023/11 Privacy in the Internet of Things Fostering user empowerment through digital literacy
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Engenharia Informática (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2021/09 - 2022/09 Designing Collaborative Technology-based interventions for Mental Health Management
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Design e Medias Interativos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2021 - 2021 Evaluation and Comparison of software Quality within modern web applications
Co-supervisor
 Programa Erasmus + (Other)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2021 - 2021 Development of Business Intelligence system and application of optimization techniques
Supervisor
 Programa Erasmus + (Other)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role 		Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2025/11/14 Web-based Telescope Control Interface and Automation Architecture for the University of Madeira Astronomical Observatory
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Igor da Silva Vasconcelos (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2025/10/14 CRESCER: Uma aplicação para promver estratégias de parentalidade positiva para regular emoções, gestão de comportamento desafiante e preparação académica
(Thesis) Main arguer
 João Paulo Silva Loreto (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024/10/28 Assessing social cognition using virtual reality and eye-tracking in the neurosurgical context
(Thesis) Arguer
 André Filipe Sousa de Freitas (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024/09/16 Theia Street Navigation
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Diogo Miguel Chaves dos Santos Antunes Pereira (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2024/07/25 Interactive Technologies for Cognitive Stimulation and Well-being of People With Dementia
(Thesis) Arguer
 Paulo Brando Nóbrega Fernandes (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Artes e Humanidades, Portugal
2024/04/26 Psyment: Web-based platform to support psychologists evaluation methods
(Thesis) Arguer
 Eva Freitas (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024/01 Multi-user touch surfaces to promote social participativo and self-efficacy in upper-limb stroke rehabilitation
(Thesis) Arguer
 Fábio Pereira (PhD)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2024 A Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Framework for Serious Games Applications in Neurorehabilitation
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Pedro Henrique Gonçalves Lobo (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2023/11/24 Virtual Reality in the Immersive Treatment of Cynophobia based on Gamification and Biofeedback
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Inês Câmara Vara Alves (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2023/11/23 Design of Interactive Touchpoint Interface for Reporting Marine Biodiversity using Recreational SCUBA Divers
(Thesis) Arguer
 Francisco Filipe Sousa da Silva (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2023/10/27 Customizing Experiences for Mobile Virtual Reality
President of the jury
 José Gabriel dos Santos Gomes Agrela (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2023/01/26 Interactive Geodesic Structures for Attrating Wider Audience to Marine Concerns
(Thesis) Arguer
 Pedro Miguel Cabral Abreu (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2023 Development and Optimization of Business Intelligence System
(Thesis) Arguer
 Mark Zohar (Master)
Univerza v Mariboru Inštitut za informatiko, Slovenia
2022/11/18 MAR Gate Augmented Reality for attracting a wider audience to Marine concerns
(Thesis) Arguer
 Jocelyne Estefania Pestana Teles (Master)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal
2021/09/17 Fitness Applications for healthy older adults using large projection displays - methodology, design, assessment and field validation
(Thesis) Arguer
 Afonso Rodrigues Gonçalves (PhD)
Universidade da Madeira Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Portugal

Other jury / evaluation

Activity description Institution / Organization
2024 - 2024 Examiner of the written thesis document entitleted Gameful Interventions for Climate Communication. This thesis was conducted as part of a PhD degree in Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, Computing & Cybernetics from the Australian National University Australian National University College of Engineering Computing and Cybernetics, Australia