معرفی
Dr. Julian Frommel is a tenured Assistant Professor in the Interaction/Multimedia group at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science. His research in human-computer interaction and human-centered AI investigates the benefits and harms of interactive systems with a focus on creating healthy, meaningful, and enjoyable digital experiences for users. He is actively involved in several research themes including AI Labs, Dynamics of Youth, Game Research, Governing the Digital Society, and Human-centered Artificial Intelligence.
Frommel earned his doctorate degree (Dr. Rer.-Nat.) in computer science from Ulm University in Germany. Prior to that, he completed both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Augsburg University in Germany. Before joining Utrecht University, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, working with Dr. Regan Mandryk.
His research focuses on assessing and modeling user states to predict when experiences go awry, leveraging games user and player experience research as a foundation for understanding digital experiences, implementing novel interaction concepts for solving problems inherent to new technologies, and studying social interactions between users to address human factors of negative experiences such as toxicity. He employs mixed methods with a strong emphasis on quantitative research and data-driven approaches.
Frommel's recent publications demonstrate a clear focus on toxicity in gaming environments, player experience, and adaptive systems. His work spans virtual reality, esports, and traditional gaming contexts, with particular attention to how interactive systems can mitigate negative outcomes like harassment and toxicity. He has published extensively in top-tier venues including CHI, CHI PLAY, and IEEE Transactions on Games.
Professionally, Frommel serves as Technical Program Chair for ACM CHI PLAY 2022 & 2023 and is a Review Editor for Frontiers in Virtual Reality: Technologies for VR. He is actively involved in building the academic community around game research and human-computer interaction.
His approach to research integrates theoretical understanding with practical implementation of interactive systems. He has supervised numerous students through Master's projects and collaborates extensively with researchers in North America and Europe. His work on toxicity intervention systems, player state assessment, and game-based digital biomarkers represents significant contributions to the field.
Frommel is affiliated with multiple research initiatives including Dynamics of Youth (DoY), Game Research, and Institutions for Open Societies (IOS). His 'Healthy play, better coping' research theme reflects his commitment to understanding how gaming experiences can positively impact mental health and well-being.
