Visiting Research Fellow

Research group: Inclusive Design
Email: mz461 @cam.ac.uk

Biography

• Senior UX Researcher - Autodesk, 2022
• Adjunct faculty member - Dublin City University, 2022
• Adjunct Professor - University of Genova, 2021
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow - University of Cambridge, 2020
• Fulbright Research Fellow - Stanford University, 2018
• A. Graves Fellow -Technological University Dublin, 2016
• Ph.D., Industrial Design (UX Design and Accessibility) - University of Genova & Loughborough University, 2015
• M.Arch., University of Genova, 2011

Dr. Matteo Zallio is an Assistant Professor in Design at the University of Cambridge, where he explores how inclusive design and artificial intelligence converge to create ethical, human-centered experiences. His research focuses on designing emerging technologies that adapt to people’s diverse needs, bridging innovation across digital and physical environments.

Alongside his academic leadership, Dr. Zallio brings deep industry expertise. He is the founder of the Metavethics Institute, a think tank dedicated to researching and developing ethical futures in phygital environments. He previously served as Global Accessibility Lead and Senior Experience Researcher at Autodesk and has advised S&P 500 companies such as Amazon, as well as Silicon Valley–based venture capital firms like Plug and Play, and thousands of start-ups on inclusive innovation, design thinking, and responsible AI, shaping design strategies in architecture, engineering, healthcare, education, and digital technology.

A Fulbright Research Fellow at Stanford University, Dr. Zallio also holds an appointment as Adjunct Faculty at Dublin City University and was previously an A. Graves Research Fellow at Technological University Dublin. He is passionate about helping teams transform complex challenges into inclusive opportunities by embedding ethical approaches and evidence-based design into products, services, and policy development.

Dr. Zallio is a member of the Inclusive Design Group at the Engineering Design Centre in the Department of Engineering and the Behaviour and Building Performance Group in the Department of Architecture. He teaches courses at the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education institute, including User Experience Design and AI Essentials for Everyone, where he equips professionals from diverse backgrounds with tools to design more inclusive, ethical, and impactful technologies.

Publications are available to view here.