Hanahan is a researcher, critical designer and educator who uses technology to critique technology. As an associate professor in the Sam Fox School, his speculative practice explores the physical, cultural and social ramifications of digital experiences and the role technology plays in shaping our everyday realities. He makes Thick Interfaces — tools, devices, software, artifacts, websites and videos that agitate the digital facade and reveal the complexity underneath our devices’ thin veneer.
Hanahan’s research prioritizes alternative and ambient interfaces with technology. In 2022, he founded the Sensory and Ambient Interfaces Lab (SAIL). SAIL investigates a future with fewer screens and how non-visual interfaces and interactions lead to a more digitally enhanced yet less digitally imposed future. The lab works in compromised environments where a screen is either unavailable, dangerous or distracting and investigates how information might be relayed through ambient design strategies that complement human experiences.