Professor Ravin Balakrishnan is the recipient of a 2020 Achievement Award from the Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society (CHCCS/SCDHM). The award is presented periodically to a Canadian researcher who has made a substantial contribution to the fields of computer graphics, visualization, or human-computer interaction.

Balakrishnan's work has had a significant impact on real-world applications, including early innovations in 3D user interfaces, large display input, multitouch gestures, freehand input, and pen-based computing.

The award citation applauds his dedication to theory and scientific rigour, while also recognizing that “perhaps his greatest contribution to the [human-computer interaction] community has been the academic tree he has formed through his mentorship of students, and the resulting growth of HCI as a field both in Toronto and internationally.” Balakrishnan has mentored over 50 graduate students and post-docs, many of whom have gone on to become recognized leaders in research themselves.

Balakrishnan previously served as Chair of U of T’s Department of Computer Science from 2015 to 2019, and is a PhD alumnus of the department.