Etienne Louis Vincent Mathieu Gernez

Etienne Louis Vincent Mathieu Gernez is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Design, Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), where he conducts research at the Ocean Industries Concept Lab. His work focuses on human-centered design approaches for maritime workplaces, with expertise in field-driven ship design methodologies.

Dr. Gernez holds a PhD in design from AHO on "Human-centred, collaborative, field-driven ship design." His educational background includes:

• Numerical Modeling from University of Bordeaux, France
• Maritime Engineering Sciences from University of Southampton, UK
• Coastal and Marine Resources Management from University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland

Gernez's research centers on designing safe and efficient workplaces in ocean and maritime industries. He investigates how to integrate new technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and remote operation systems into ship design processes while improving user experiences. His work bridges the gap between operational needs and architectural design through field-driven methodologies that capture real-world usage scenarios.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on digital interfaces for maritime operations, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency (OpenZero), remote workstations (OpenRemote), and virtual reality applications (OpenVR). The research demonstrates how human-centered design principles can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in maritime contexts through innovative technological integration.

As part of his role at the Ocean Industries Concept Lab, Gernez builds and manages research projects, writes funding applications, and finds partners for collaborative initiatives. He also contributes to student and PhD supervision, particularly in field study methodology for design processes.

Gernez leads several key projects including OpenZero (digital user interfaces for energy-conscious maritime operations), OpenRemote (harmonizing remote connected maritime workstations), and OpenAR (augmented reality applications). These initiatives operate within the broader Ocean Industries Concept Lab framework, which focuses on innovation at the intersection of maritime operations and design thinking.