Mark-Jan Bludau

Mark-Jan Bludau is an Academic Associate at UCLAB, working within the Institute for Applied Research – Urban Future and the Department of Design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. His current role involves research in the GraDiM project, focusing on data visualization and digital humanities to explore photographic archives documenting Jewish diaspora. He holds an MA in Design (Interface Design) from Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (2015–2017) and is pursuing a PhD in Computer Science (Data Visualization) at the University of Rostock since 2021.

His research interests span data visualization, digital humanities, and exploratory interfaces, with a focus on historical social network analysis, cultural heritage data, and interactive design methodologies. Key projects include GraDiM (photographic archive visualization), SoNAR (historical network analysis tools), and Reading Traces (Theodor Fontane Archive collaboration).

Bludau’s work emphasizes coherence in multimodal data representation, transparency in historical analysis, and the ethical implications of visualization practices. His recent publications explore foldable interfaces, complexity as design material, and situated visualization strategies for cultural collections.