James Cummings

Jim Cummings conducts research in human-computer interaction and the psychological processing of media, with areas of focus including multitasking, emotion, motivation, and physiological responses. His current work includes investigating patterns, predictors, and effects of task-switching behavior as part of the Screenomics Lab at Stanford University, as well lab-based research into the technological factors influencing user experiences in immersive media environments. He is currently a research fellow within the BU Institute for Health System Innovation & Policy and has formerly served as co-director of the Communication Research Center, the BU College of Communication’s hub for media research.

Jim’s research on emerging media, games, and virtual reality has been published in the Journal of Communication, Media Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, New Media & Society, Computers in Human Behavior, proceedings of the ACM CHI Conference, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Occasional Papers series. His professional experience includes consultancy related to virtual reality, social gaming, and media-based behavior change interventions, as well as user experience research at Google X.