When three members of the ChiCi group present papers at the 7th International Interaction Design and Children Conference in Italy in June, it will mark a landmark for the group which will then have 50 peer reviewed papers. This total is a mixture of journal and conference papers - a trend commonly found in computing and specifically in HCI (Human Computer Interaction) where it is the norm to submit long papers to either high quality conferences or journals where in both cases they undergo a rigorous review process.

The top 10% of these papers have over 10 citations each which, even when taking account of self citations and citations within the group, represents a significant impact on the field given the short time frame in which they have been available.

Members of the group have a combined total of over 100 publications but this achievement - to hit the half century in peer reviewed papers is one we will celebrate especially as the group has only been publishing since 2001.

The group, which has developed with self generated funding (£500K over the last four years) and with the assistance of partially funded RA posts (from the former department of computing and the school of CEPS), is currently awaiting news of the outcomes of two large funding bids that will secure financing into the next four years and is working towards a strong submission to the REF activity in 2011.