Katharina Brunnmayr is a PreDoc Researcher at the Department of Human Computer Interaction (E193-05) at Technische Universität Wien. Her work focuses on speculative design approaches for care robotics, emphasizing ethical frameworks and human-centered methodologies. Current projects include Caring Robots // Robotic Care (2022–2027) Specializes in human-robot interaction and future technology design Active in speculative design, gamification, and role-playing techniques Research Trends: Recent publications highlight speculative design applications in care robotics, ethical considerations for AI in healthcare, and pandemic-related HCI challenges. Her work bridges technical innovation with social and philosophical discourse.
Taruna Yadav, PhD, is a Research Fellow at the Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Blumenfeld Lab. Her research focuses on epilepsy, neural mechanisms of consciousness, and wearable technology for clinical assessment. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Houston (2022) and an ME in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (2015). Dr. Yadav’s work includes developing the ARTiE Watch, a wearable device to quantify impaired consciousness during seizures, funded by the American Epilepsy Society Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Her studies integrate neurophysiological techniques with clinical applications, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care in epilepsy. Her research spans neural oscillations, reward processing, and human-computer interaction, with contributions to translational neuroscience. Key projects include thalamic stimulation trials for epilepsy and studies on motor cortex activity in non-human primates.
Dr. Monica Landoni is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Informatics of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and a senior research fellow at the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA) . She holds a PhD in Information Science from the University of Strathclyde (1997) and a Laurea in Scienze dell’Informazione from the University of Milan. Her research focuses on Information Retrieval , Design for Children , and Accessibility , with emphasis on inclusive technology for people with intellectual disabilities and ethical considerations in AI. She has led SNSF-funded projects like TADAA and BEST, and co-leads the EUGAIN COST Action’s Working Group 1 on gender balance in informatics education. Key research interests include: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with vulnerable populations AI-driven creative tools for neurodiverse users Ethical design for children and educational technologies Multilingual interfaces and cross-cultural UX Accessibility in museums and public spaces Her recent work explores: Social robots for museum accessibility Gendered associations in child-technology interactions AR usability for intellectual disability communities Ethical frameworks for emerging technologies Grants & Projects: - Principal investigator: SNSF projects TADAA (2020–2024), BEST (2018–2022) - Co-lead: EUGAIN COST Action’s WG1 (School-to-University Gender Balance) - Previously: JISC EBONI, EU STAMP/PENG, and other international initiatives Labs & Collaborations: IDSIA’s AI ethics and accessibility teams, participatory design partnerships with museums and schools
Denis Gracanin is a Professor at Virginia Tech's Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering. His research spans Human-Computer Interaction, Mixed Reality, Smart Built Environments, and Generative AI, with a focus on immersive technologies, cybersecurity, and assistive systems. Research highlights include: Developing frameworks for XR-based security in zero-trust networks Advancing real-time 3D object generation in augmented reality using generative AI Designing smart environments for stress management and mobility assistance His recent work explores AI-driven design optimization, sonification in immersive analytics, and privacy-centric IoT systems. Articles emphasize applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and smart lighting, leveraging machine learning and multimodal data. Gracanin collaborates extensively with researchers like Kresimir Matkovic, Mohamed Azab, and Majid Behravan, publishing in top venues such as IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, CHI, and VR Workshops.
Mai Otsuki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information and Computer Science at Keio University's Faculty of Science and Technology, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus on Augmented and Virtual Reality systems. Her research spans nearly two decades, with an extensive publication record in top-tier venues including CHI, UIST, VRST, and IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics. Dr. Otsuki's primary research interests center on developing novel interaction techniques for augmented and virtual environments, particularly focusing on remote collaboration, spatial interfaces, and haptic feedback systems. Her work addresses fundamental challenges in how humans perceive and interact with virtual elements, with practical applications in remote instruction, industrial training, sports education, and service industry skill development. She has pioneered approaches for gaze representation, semantic labeling in AR, and physical interaction with virtual objects. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate continued innovation in applying AR/VR technologies to practical domains including industrial machinery operation, shopping experiences, and assembly tasks, with growing emphasis on physiological metrics and cognitive load assessment. Her work consistently bridges theoretical HCI principles with real-world applications, showing particular strength in experimental design and user-centered evaluation methodologies. Dr. Otsuki has established a robust collaborative network with researchers across Japan and internationally, frequently working with Hideaki Kuzuoka, Asako Kimura, Fumihisa Shibata, and Hideyuki Tamura. Her research group appears to focus on developing practical AR/VR systems that address specific human performance challenges in collaborative and instructional contexts.
Sri Hastuti Kurniawan is a researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Accessibility Technology. Her work focuses on developing inclusive technologies for healthcare, rehabilitation, and education, particularly addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. Key research areas include VR applications in physical rehabilitation, telehealth systems, and immersive tools for biomedical research. She has contributed to projects such as VR games for wildfire evacuation training (FEVR), olfaction-enhanced therapy for amblyopia, and bioinformatics visualization systems like the Graph Genome Explorer. Her work emphasizes human-centered design, collaborating with clinicians, educators, and technologists to bridge gaps in accessibility and health equity. Notable projects include the BioLumin mixed-reality platform for microscopic visualization and the STAR Catcher VR system for stroke rehabilitation. Kurniawan has co-chaired the ASSETS conference (2014) and led interdisciplinary teams in global collaborations, including studies on accessibility in public transit for visually impaired users and intergenerational communication technologies.
Heinrich Hußmann is a Professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich with an extensive research career spanning from 1985 to present. His work primarily focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, with significant contributions to Virtual Reality, Tangible User Interfaces, and intelligent systems. Over his career, he has published nearly 250 papers in top-tier conferences and journals. His research interests center around understanding and improving human interaction with emerging technologies. Key focus areas include cinematic virtual reality experiences, tangible interfaces for education and collaboration, privacy in mobile contexts, and user understanding of intelligent systems. His work often bridges theoretical HCI principles with practical applications that address real-world user needs. Analysis of his recent publications (2020-2023) reveals a strong emphasis on tangible interaction for educational contexts, particularly for children's learning. He has also made significant contributions to understanding social aspects of cinematic virtual reality and developing frameworks for user understanding of AI systems. His work consistently demonstrates a user-centered approach that considers psychological, social, and technical dimensions of interaction. Professor Hußmann has mentored numerous students who have become active researchers in the HCI field, including Sarah Theres Völkel, Malin Eiband, and Daniel Buschek, among others. His collaborative network spans multiple institutions and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern HCI research. His research has practical implications for the design of more intuitive, privacy-respecting, and educationally effective interactive systems. Current projects suggest continued exploration of how physical and digital elements can be integrated to create meaningful user experiences that support learning, collaboration, and mindful technology use.
J. Edward Swan II is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University. His research focuses on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with an emphasis on perceptual aspects of AR/VR systems, calibration techniques, and user experience optimization. He has contributed extensively to advancing AR/VR technologies through studies on depth perception, text legibility, and system accuracy. Key roles: IEEE VR Steering Committee member, conference program chair, and guest editor for top journals. Research areas include optical see-through AR systems, user performance evaluation, and spatial perception in virtual environments. His work spans over 120 publications since 1995, with recent contributions addressing font optimization for AR displays, eye-tracking-based depth measurement, and X-ray vision systems for situational awareness. Notable recognition includes the VGTC Virtual Reality Service Award (2023).
Matthew Chalmers is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Glasgow's Computing Science department. His research bridges human-computer interaction (HCI), ubiquitous computing, and information visualization, with applications in health, mobile systems, and social computing. Research Focus: His work integrates philosophical and biological perspectives into system design, pioneering concepts like 'seamful design' that leverage infrastructure limitations as user resources. Current projects explore mobile health applications, behavior change frameworks, and large-scale user behavior modeling. Significant Grants: A Population Approach to Ubicomp Systems Design (EPSRC, £4M) Contextual Software (EPSRC, £710K) Designing for the Social Sports Fan (KTA Fellowship, £117K with Rangers FC) Smart Tourism (SFC Horizon, £600K with Edinburgh Festivals) Supervision: Currently advises PhD candidate Hanna Retallick on mobile interventions for dietary behavior change. Leads interdisciplinary collaborations across academic and industry partners.
Dr. John Halloran is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Coventry University, affiliated with the CEES School of Science. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design (UXD), and Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL). He holds a DPhil in CSAI (HCI) from Sussex University, alongside an MSc in Knowledge-Based Systems and a BSc in Psychology from the Open University. His work spans domains including collaborative product planning, computer games, assisted living for older adults, and student collaborative learning. John has secured funding from ESRC, EPSRC, TSB, InnovateUK, the EU, and industry partners like BT and Jaguar Land Rover. He has led projects such as the TSB KTP initiative on low carbon building evaluation tools. He has supervised several PhD completions and published extensively in top-tier journals and conferences. His research emphasizes user-centered technology design, leveraging qualitative and quantitative methods to understand user needs. Key areas of focus include automated feedback systems in programming education, touchscreen gaming interfaces, and collaborative tools for software developers. His work on assisted living technology highlights the importance of social engagement in user acceptance. He actively participates in conferences and contributes to interdisciplinary projects addressing sustainability and energy behavior in academic settings.
Dr. Shaun Macdonald is a Researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science, affiliated with the Glasgow Interactive Systems Section. As a Co-Investigator on the AZRAM project, his work focuses on emotionally resonant haptic technologies and socially assistive robotics. He holds a PhD in HCI from Glasgow, supervised by Professors Stephen Brewster and Frank Pollick, exploring vibrotactile comfort objects for social anxiety intervention. Research interests include haptics, extended reality (XR), cybersecurity in social VR, and privacy-preserving technologies. Recent work addresses safety tools in social VR, deepfake ethics, and thermal attack mitigation. He contributes to grants like the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award (AZRAM project) and has received awards including the Saltire Scholarship. His 15 most recent articles span topics like social VR moderation, zoomorphic robot emotion expression, and thermal imaging security. Teaching includes guest lectures on VR and haptics, while supervision involved 5 MSc/MSci projects on topics like accessible interfaces and neurodivergent robot interactions. Active in academic communities, he participates in CHI and ICMI conferences and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and ethical tech practices.
Dr Graham Wilson is a Research Fellow in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), specializing in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and haptic technologies. He collaborates extensively with researchers like Dr. Matthew McGill and Professor Stephen Brewster on projects addressing motion sickness mitigation, multimodal feedback systems, and extended reality interfaces in constrained environments such as transport seating. His research explores how users interact with XR systems in public and passenger spaces, emphasizing ergonomic design and perceptual manipulation techniques. Wilson’s research interests span VR/AR interaction design, haptic feedback mechanisms, and the application of multimodal interfaces in automotive and urban settings. He has pioneered studies on autonomous vehicle-cyclist interfaces and the social impacts of spatial productivity tools in XR. His work frequently appears at top-tier conferences like ACM CHI and IEEE VR, addressing challenges in human factors, user experience optimization, and adaptive systems for visually impaired populations. Key contributions include the development of the PassengXR platform for in-car XR experiences and the InterFACE framework for hands-free AR/VR input. His studies often integrate findings from perceptual psychology and engineering to create practical solutions for emerging technologies. Collaborations with industry and academic partners highlight his commitment to bridging theoretical research with real-world usability challenges.
Karey Helms is an Associate Professor of Design at the Umeå Institute of Design (UID), part of Umeå University, and a Digital Futures Postdoctoral Fellow at Stockholm University. She holds a BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia, a MFA in Interaction Design from UID, and a PhD in Interaction Design from KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Her research explores technology's role in non-traditional contexts such as care settings, outdoor environments, and bodily interactions. Key interests include regenerative material ecologies, ethical design for bodily fluids, and more-than-human design principles. She critiques how technology entangles with nondigital matter, advocating for responsible design that addresses bodily needs and environmental ethics. Her recent publications (2017–2025) focus on HCI, material interactions, and ethical frameworks for emerging technologies. Representative works include studies on 'leaky objects' in design, 'careful design' methodologies, and speculative ethics for bodily fluid interfaces. She has received the Digital Futures Postdoctoral Fellowship, supporting her interdisciplinary work at Stockholm University. While no specific grants or advising details are provided, her prior industry experience in IoT design informs her academic practice.
Anna Carter is a Research Fellow at Northumbria University in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Her work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), participatory design, and community engagement with public space technologies. She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and academic qualification. Research Interests: Participatory Technology Design Feminist Care Ethics Accessible Public Space Systems Neurodivergent Inclusion AI Applications in Academic Collaboration Digital Civics Scientific Awards: KaraokAI: Exploring the Potential of AI-Generated Karaoke (2025) Towards Neuroqueer Spatial Justice (2025) A Feminist Care Ethics Toolkit (2025) Can’t Touch This: Rethinking Public Technology (2022) Recent Publications: 15 most recent articles (2024-2025) explore blended digital-physical experiences, inclusive prototyping tools, neurodivergent accessibility, and feminist ethical frameworks. Collaborations: Active in international research networks with ACM publications, including collaborations with researchers like Montague, Talhouk, and Nicolau. Key contributions to CHI and PDC conferences.
Bill Gaver is a Professor of Design and co-leader of the Interaction Research Studio at Northumbria University, London. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego (1988), with a focus on 'Everyday listening and auditory icons.' Additionally, he serves as a Professor at the University of Oslo since 2019. His work bridges design, cognitive science, and sociology, emphasizing practice-based research methods such as 'ludic design' and 'ambiguity in design.' His research explores intersections between human-computer interaction (HCI), smart cities, and environmental design. Notable projects include the My Naturewatch Cameras initiative, ProbeTools for user research, and Energy Babble , which engages communities through embodied data experiences. Gaver advocates for design as a research medium, emphasizing emergent outcomes and interdisciplinary collaboration. Awards: None explicitly listed. However, his extensive citation count (8,157) and frequent media engagement indicate significant academic impact. Advising & Grants: Accepting PhD students; his work is supported through institutional and collaborative projects, though specific grants are not detailed here. He co-leads the Interaction Research Studio, fostering experimental design practices.
