Andreas Bulling is a Professor at the Institute for Visualisation and Interactive Systems , University of Stuttgart, Germany. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction , Eye Tracking , and Computer Vision , with applications in Machine Learning , Virtual Reality , and Information Visualization . 2025 Publications: HOIGaze (Extended Reality), ChartQC (Data Visualization), HAIFAI (Human-AI Interaction), SummAct (Behavioral Summarization), Chartist (Chart Reading). 2024 Contributions: HumanEYEze (Multimodal AI), HOIMotion (3D Object Detection), MultiMediate'24 (Engagement Estimation), Unified Model of Saliency (Scanpath Prediction). His recent work explores gaze estimation , interactive behavior modeling , and privacy-preserving eye-tracking systems . Key subfields include Extended Reality , Neural Networks , and Behavioral Biometrics . While no explicit scientific awards are mentioned, his research has been widely cited (8,003 total citations) and downloaded (132,740 times). Andreas leads projects in Interactive Systems and collaborates with institutions such as Aalto University , KU Leuven , and National University of Singapore . His lab focuses on eye movement analysis , human motion forecasting , and task-driven input modeling .
Prof. Dr. Andreas Butz is a Full Professor and Chair for Human-Computer Interaction at the Department for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich). He leads the Media Informatics Group, focusing on innovative interaction techniques and interfaces in immersive environments like VR/AR, automotive systems, and smart spaces. His research emphasizes perceptual user interfaces, social robotics, and designing systems that balance invisibility with transparency. Key research areas include: Virtual/Augmented Reality interfaces for productivity and social interaction AI-driven decision support in safety-critical domains (aviation, healthcare) Haptic and wearable interaction technologies Automotive UI design for driver assistance systems Principles of explainable AI and human-AI collaboration His work bridges theory and practice through projects like: VR-based movement training systems AI trust calibration mechanisms Multi-modal interaction frameworks for automotive environments Systems for analyzing long-term music listening behavior Recent articles explore topics ranging from AI support in pilot decision-making to haptic wearables and creative writing interfaces. His team collaborates with industry partners on electric vehicle information systems and in-car interaction challenges.
Niels Henze is a Professor at the Chair of Media Informatics within the Faculty of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Regensburg, where he has been serving since May 2018. His research centers on human-computer interaction, with a strong focus on predictive models in interactive systems, mobile interaction, augmented and virtual reality, and attention-aware computing. His research interests include: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Predictive modeling for runtime adaptation Mobile and wearable interaction Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Attention-aware and context-sensitive systems Sociocognitive aspects of interactive technologies The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on leveraging user behavior and contextual cues to build intelligent, adaptive interfaces. His work integrates machine learning with interaction design, emphasizing real-time model updates, implicit feedback, and cognitive load awareness to improve usability and user experience across mobile and immersive platforms. Scientific awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Niels Henze leads research in adaptive interactive systems and advises students in the field of media informatics. He has previously held a junior professorship at the University of Stuttgart and completed his doctorate at the University of Oldenburg under Susanne Boll. He is actively involved in advancing the theoretical and practical foundations of predictive and attention-aware computing. Grants and funding sources are not specified in the text. He is associated with the Institute for Information and Media, Language and Culture (I:IMSK) at the University of Regensburg, contributing to a multidisciplinary environment that bridges informatics with cultural and linguistic studies.
Georg Martius is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Science and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the MPI for Intelligent Systems. Since April 2023, he has been a core member of the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science,' which received extended funding through 2032 for its mission to integrate machine learning into fundamental scientific discovery processes. His academic foundation includes a PhD from the University of Göttingen and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (2005), a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Leipzig (2003), and a visiting research period at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Informatics. Postdoctoral positions followed at the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization (Göttingen, 2009), Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig, 2010), and IST Austria (2015). Professor Martius's research pioneers the intersection of reinforcement learning, robotics, and tactile sensing, with emphasis on developing autonomous systems capable of natural locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and physical-world understanding. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with practical hardware applications, particularly in creating differentiable simulators, superresolution tactile sensors, and biologically plausible learning frameworks for robotic control. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in offline reinforcement learning (especially goal-conditioned and diversity-maximization techniques), object-centric representation learning for video understanding, and tactile sensing innovations. A strong thread connects foundation models to world model construction, while his work on differentiable physics engines enables precise collision handling and contact dynamics for real-world robotic control. His leadership roles include directing the Distributed Intelligence research team at Tübingen and contributing to major collaborative initiatives like the Real Robot Challenge and Myochallenge 2022. The Cluster of Excellence appointment represents recognition of his contributions to transforming scientific methodology through machine learning, particularly in automating hypothesis generation and experimental design. Current projects focus on integrating large-scale machine learning with embodied intelligence, advancing tactile perception systems like the Minsight vision-based sensor, and developing neuroplasticity-inspired approaches for robust out-of-distribution detection. His work directly impacts fields requiring physical interaction intelligence, from autonomous navigation to medical robotics, with emphasis on sample-efficient learning from limited real-world data.
Kai Arras is a Professor at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence (KI) at the University of Stuttgart and heads the Socially Intelligent Robotics (SIR) Lab. His research lies at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and human-robot interaction (HRI), with a focus on open-world embodied intelligence, sustainably engaging interactive robots, and AI-based industrial robotics. He is also a Cyber Valley Endowed Chair for Autonomous Systems and leads collaborations with institutions like the Fraunhofer Society and the University of Bonn.
Jan Borchers is a full professor of computer science and head of the Media Computing Group, an endowed Chair in the Computer Science Department at RWTH Aachen University. He serves as deputy member of the Faculty Council for Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences (2024-2026) and previously headed the Computer Science Department's Examination Board from 2015 until February 2025. Borchers established his research group in 2003, pioneering modern HCI academic research and teaching in Germany, and opened Germany's first Fab Lab in 2009. Borchers received his PhD 'summa cum laude' in computer science from Darmstadt University of Technology in 2000. Before joining RWTH Aachen, he held faculty positions at Stanford University and ETH Zurich. His PhD thesis, 'A Pattern Approach to Interaction Design,' became the first book to bring design patterns to HCI. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction with particular interest in new user interfaces for soft robotics, textile user interfaces, 3D printing and personal fabrication, augmented reality, wearable and tangible computing, interfaces for software development, deceptive patterns, and interactive guides and exhibits. He is a member of ACM, SIGCHI, SIGCHI Germany, and GI, and introduced the Interactivity format to the CHI conference in 2005. Recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on deceptive patterns/dark patterns in UI design, textile interfaces, and the impact of generative AI on creative teamwork. His work spans from fundamental research in interaction techniques to practical applications in smart homes, accessibility, and children's interfaces, with a consistent focus on usability and user-centered design. IDC 2025 Best Work in Progress: 'If They Have No Choice, They'll Accept!' CHI'25 Student Games Competition Winner: 'The Deceptive Dungeon' RWTH-Wissenschaftsnacht 2024 Best Science Slam: 'Usability: 4 Prinzipien guter User Interfaces' Multiple CHI/UIST Honorable Mentions and Best Paper awards spanning two decades Author of influential books including 'A Pattern Approach to Interaction Design' and 'Arduino In A Nutshell' Borchers has provided extensive consulting, training, and user interface design services to major clients including AirBus, Apple, ARD, Bayer, Children's Museum Boston, Daimler, Handelsblatt, OTIS, Scout24, TEDx, and Deutsche Telekom. He actively organizes the Computer Science Department's weekly Faculty Lunch since 2003 and coordinates the department's public relations and web presence since 2010. He leads the Media Computing Group, which has become a leading German lab in terms of archival publications at CHI, the top international conference in HCI. Since March 2025, he serves as faculty patron for TechLabs Aachen, a student initiative providing practical digital skills training.
Sir Paul Collier is a distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, where he also directs the Centre for the Study of African Economies. He serves as the Oxford Academic Director of the International Growth Centre, a collaboration between the London School of Economics and Oxford University. Professor Collier has established himself as a leading authority on development economics, particularly focusing on African economies, poverty reduction, and the political economy of development. His academic journey includes significant public service, having served as Director of the World Bank Research Development Department from 1998 to 2003. He currently advises the International Monetary Fund Strategy and Policy Department and writes regularly for major publications including The Independent and The New York Times. His extensive contributions to economic thought have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. Professor Collier's research interests span a wide range of critical development issues. He has made significant contributions to understanding the "bottom billion" - the poorest populations in the world - and has developed innovative approaches to addressing regional inequality, natural resource management, and the political barriers to development. His work consistently bridges academic rigor with practical policy applications, making complex economic theories accessible to policymakers and the general public alike. His publications reveal a consistent focus on practical solutions to development challenges. Recent works have examined urbanization in developing countries, the relationship between elections and economic performance, infrastructure investment in Africa, and the cultural foundations of economic success or failure. His research demonstrates how institutional design, cultural factors, and appropriate policy frameworks can enable neglected regions to "spiral up" toward prosperity. A.SK Social Science Award (2013) Arthur Ross Prize (for The Bottom Billion) Handesblatt Prize (for The Future of Capitalism) Adam Smith Prize by Glasgow's Philosophical Society (2023) Global Citizenship Award by Belgium's cooperative movement (2018) Professor Collier is actively engaged in advising governments on practical approaches to regional renewal. His recent work emphasizes the importance of local agency, collective learning, and moral leadership in addressing the challenges faced by neglected communities in both developed and developing countries. He challenges conventional economic orthodoxies that prioritize market forces alone and advocates for more nuanced, context-specific policy approaches that recognize the complex interplay of economic, social, and political factors in development processes.
Prof. Helen Blank is a Professor leading the Multisensory Perception Group and the Prediction in Communication Lab at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Her work focuses on understanding how sensory information is integrated and predicted in contexts like speech perception and face recognition. She holds a Marie Curie Fellowship for her research on prior information's role in human communication. Fluent in German, English, and French, she contributes to experimental medicine and systems neuroscience. Her research spans predictive coding, neuroimaging, and clinical applications in Parkinson’s and developmental disorders. Education: Not explicitly stated in text, inferred as advanced degrees in neuroscience or related fields. Her research interests emphasize multisensory integration, predictive processing in speech and vision, and the neural bases of perception. Recent articles explore topics such as pupil responses to auditory surprise, face expectation hierarchies, and audio-visual speech processing. Awards include the Marie Curie Fellowship supporting her predictive communication work. She leads interdisciplinary teams within the Center for Experimental Medicine, advancing knowledge on perceptual mechanisms and their clinical implications.
Ana Serrano is an Associate Professor at Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain, where she is affiliated with the Graphics & Imaging Lab in the EINA (Edificio Ada Byron) school. She earned her PhD at the same institution under the supervision of Prof. Diego Gutierrez and Prof. Belen Masia, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Max-Planck-Institute for Informatics under Prof. Karol Myszkowski. Her research focuses on visual computing , particularly in computational imaging , material appearance perception and editing , and virtual reality . She is especially interested in developing perceptually-driven methods that leverage knowledge of the human perceptual system to enhance user experiences and assist content creation in immersive environments. Her recent publications (2023–2025) span top-tier venues such as SIGGRAPH, CVPR, IEEE TVCG, and Eurographics. These works explore topics like saliency prediction in 3D and 360° video, crossmodal perception in VR, gloss modeling, radiance fields, and perceptual evaluation of immersive content. The research demonstrates a strong integration of machine learning, human perception, and computer graphics to solve real-world problems in visual computing. She has received several prestigious awards, including: Eurographics 2023 Young Researcher Award VGTC VR 2024 Significant New Researcher Award Eurographics 2020 PhD Award Adobe Research Fellowship (honorable mention, 2017) NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship (2018) Ana Serrano actively supervises PhD and Master’s students and has taught courses such as Virtual Reality, Computational Imaging, and Deep Learning applications. She serves as an Associate Editor for Computer Graphics Forum , ACM Transactions on Applied Perception , and Computers and Graphics , and has held leadership roles in major conferences including Eurographics (Tutorials co-chair, 2023), ACM SAP (Program co-chair, 2022), and CEIG (Program co-chair, 2022). Her professional service includes extensive program committee and reviewer roles for SIGGRAPH, IEEE VR, ISMAR, and others. She leads a vibrant research group focused on human perception in virtual environments, with current projects on computational models of attention and perception, integrated with physiological signals. Her lab, the Graphics & Imaging Lab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in visual computing.
Sergiusz Michalski is a Professor at the Institute of Art History within the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tübingen, where he has held his position since 2001. Previously, he served as Managing Director of the Art History Institute at TU Braunschweig from 1996-2001 and completed his Habilitation at Goethe University Frankfurt in 1995. His distinguished academic career spans multiple European institutions including universities in Munich, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Kiel, Fribourg, Zurich, and Torun. Michalski's research focuses encompass Reformation and Art, Mannerism, 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, Art theory, 18th century French painting, 20th century art, Public monuments, and Methodological questions in art history. His scholarly output includes approximately 270 publications with notable books such as 'The Reformation and the Visual Arts' (1992), 'Public Monuments' (1998), 'L'art de l'Europe Centrale' (2008), and 'Einführung in die Kunstgeschichte' (2015). His recent publications demonstrate continued engagement with contemporary issues in art history, particularly in public monument discourse, digital methodologies, and Central European art traditions. Michalski has edited several prominent art history journals including Ars Artibus et Historiae, Folia Historiae Artium, and Ikonotheka. Member of Royal Swedish Academy for Literature and Humanities Member of Polish Academy for Sciences and Arts Member of Göttingen Academy of Sciences Member of Academia Europaea / The Academy of Europe London Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences Member of Council of Experts of European Science Foundation Michalski maintains an active research profile with recent publications addressing digital methodologies in art history, contemporary monument discourse, and Central European art traditions. His international scholarly network is reflected in his editorial roles and academy memberships across Europe.
Professor Christian F. Doeller is a leading cognitive neuroscientist serving as Director of the Department of Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig and Vice President of the Max Planck Society (since 2023). His roles include honorary professorships at the University of Leipzig (2019) and TU Dresden (Cognitive Neuroscience of Learning and Memory). He holds a PhD in Psychology from Saarland University (2005) and has held positions at institutions such as UCL (London), Radboud University (Nijmegen), and NTNU (Trondheim). His research focuses on spatial navigation, memory systems, and cognitive mapping in the human brain, leveraging neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and computational modeling. Key areas include hippocampal/entorhinal cortical function, grid cells, and the neural basis of spatial and conceptual representations. Recent work explores non-Euclidean spatial cognition, value-based decision making using grid-like maps, and hormonal influences on navigation. His lab combines experimental psychology, neuroimaging, and theoretical neuroscience to understand how brains build predictive models of environments and concepts. Publications emphasize cognitive maps, neural representations of space/value, and memory formation mechanisms. Over 100 journal articles span high-impact journals like Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and Current Biology . His work bridges basic research and translational applications in neurodegenerative disorders and spatial cognition deficits.
Berit Greinke is an Assistant Professor of Wearable Computing at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) and the Einstein Center Digital Future (ECDF) since 2018, previously serving as a researcher at UdK's Design Research Lab and DFKI (2016-2018). Her academic foundation includes a PhD from Queen Mary University of London (2017), an MA from Central St Martins (2009), and a Diploma from Weissensee Academy of Art Berlin (2007). Her educational trajectory: PhD in Media and Arts Technology, Queen Mary University of London (2017) MA in Design for Textile Futures, Central St Martins College of Art and Design (2009) Diploma in Textile and Surface Design, Berlin Weissensee School of Art (2007) Greinke's research pioneers the convergence of craft, textile design, and digital technology, with core expertise in electronic textiles and smart materials. She investigates metamaterial-based 'metatextiles' for electromagnetic applications and explores transdisciplinary collaboration between designers and scientists, particularly regarding 'negative data' in creative and scientific workflows. Her current UdK work focuses on four interconnected domains: performing materials for expressive textile/fashion design; multi-modal sensing converting visual processes into haptic/audible experiences; micro-to-macro material design spanning nanostructures to final products; and transdisciplinary processes for technology-art-science collaboration. Analysis of her 2020-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in sustainable textile electronics, with emphasis on knitted/folded sensor structures, origami-inspired capacitive shape estimation, and social sustainability in e-textile communities. Her work uniquely bridges fundamental material science (e.g., textile metamaterials) with artistic applications (e.g., interactive orchestra garments) and industrial production challenges. Berit Greinke supervises PhD students including Giorgia Petri. Her junior professorship is co-financed by SAP under a public-private partnership model, supporting projects like WEAR (Wearable technologists engage with artists for responsible innovation) and STELEC (Sustainable Textile Electronics), which emphasize ethical co-design and industry-academia collaboration. She leads research within UdK's Institute for Product and Process Design and collaborates with the Design Research Lab (formerly part of Connected Textiles group), focusing on sustainable industrial production of electronic clothing and transdisciplinary innovation frameworks.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michaela Sambanis is a Professor of English Didactics at the Institute of English Philology within the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin. She has held this position since 2011 and previously served as the managing director of the Institute from Winter semester 2017/2018 to October 2019. Her academic journey includes research work at the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning at the University of Ulm (2008-2011), completion of her habilitation in 2006, and her promotion in 2001. Professor Sambanis's research centers on the innovative intersection of educational neuroscience and language teaching methodology. Her work pioneers the field of Positive Foreign Language Didactics, connecting positive psychology with language education. She investigates embodied cognition approaches, particularly movement-based learning, and explores theater methods and arts integration in language instruction. Her research also addresses teacher well-being and health, multilingualism in educational settings, and the application of neuroscience findings to practical classroom situations. The k2teach project represents her current focus on teaching-learning labs in English teacher education. Her scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward integrating neuroscience with language pedagogy, with recent publications increasingly addressing mental health, digital transformation in education, and positive psychology applications. The evolution of her work shows a progression from practical teaching methods to increasingly sophisticated neurodidactic frameworks that bridge scientific evidence with classroom practice. Professor Sambanis serves on multiple scientific advisory boards including the Goethe Institut in Munich, the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning at the University of Ulm, and the Schlözer Program for Teacher Education. She is also the founding chair of the cross-state E&M Berlin-Brandenburg section and a member of the German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF). Her editorial work includes the SELT book series on English Language Teaching. Her teaching responsibilities include supervising master's theses in English teaching, and she has developed numerous teaching-learning laboratories that connect theoretical knowledge with practical application in teacher education. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based foreign language didactics that incorporates insights from neuroscience, psychology, and educational research.
Dr. Lucie Kruse is a researcher at the Department of Informatics, University of Hamburg, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Virtual Reality (VR). Her work focuses on immersive user interfaces for cognitive and physical training, particularly for older adults and those with dementia. She has been an active member of the University of Hamburg's HCI group since 2018 and served on the Ethics Commission since 2023. Her research interests include: Virtual Reality Exergames Serious Games Assistive Technologies Accessibility in VR Mental Health Applications Her publications from 2021-2025 demonstrate expertise in designing VR systems for healthcare, analyzing age-related interaction patterns, and developing inclusive interfaces. She has received multiple awards including the 2024 Honorable Mention for Best Poster at ACM SUI and the 2023 Honorable Mention at ACM CHI. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention for Best Poster Award at ACM SUI (2024) Runner-Up Prize at Metaverse for the Good (2024) Honorable Mention at ACM CHI'23 Interactive Demo (2023) Honorable Mention at ACM VRST (2021) She has supervised multiple theses on topics like AI agents for mental health, accessibility of chatbots for seniors, and VR exergame design. Her work spans collaborations with institutions like HITLab NZ and Western Sydney University's MARCS Institute.
Prof. Dr. Bianca Burgfeld-Meise is a faculty member at the Department of Education and Social Sciences at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (FH-SWF). Her research focuses on media education, digitalization, and media socialization with a particular emphasis on media literacy, digital humanities, and social network sites. Key collaborations include TU Dresden (Digital@Humanities), HfM Detmold (digital music editions), and nationwide initiatives like Keine Bildung ohne Medien e.V. Research funded by DFG, BMBF, and institutional grants for projects on digital learning processes, MINT promotion, and digital edition methodologies. Her recent publications analyze lifelogging practices, digital memory, and interdisciplinary software development in educational contexts. She contributes to theoretical frameworks in media pedagogy and digital culture. She currently serves in the national steering committee of Keine Bildung ohne Medien e.V., advocating for systematic integration of media education across societal domains through workshops and policy discussions.
