Peter Purgathofer

Peter Purgathofer is an Associate Professor at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Faculty of Informatics, where he works within the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology, specifically in the Human-Computer Interaction group. He serves as coordinator for the Media Informatics bachelor and master programs and has been actively involved in teaching and research since 2005.

Dr. Purgathofer's research centers around the interplay between design and software development, particularly focusing on the role and place of design in software engineering. He identifies as an "experience designer" in the sense described by Bill Buxton's book "Sketching User Experiences." His work spans Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Human-Centered Informatics, Game Design with a focus on Positive Impact Games, Digital Culture and Learning, and the societal implications of Informatics. He has a strong interest in the co-development of technology and society, with particular attention to sustainability and resilience.

His publication record shows a consistent focus on bridging theory and practice in design methodology, with recent work emphasizing educational applications, social implications of technology, and the philosophical foundations of informatics as a discipline. His research often takes a transdisciplinary approach, connecting insights from computer science, design, education, and social sciences.

• Award of distinction at the Prix Ars Electronica 2000 in the category .net for the project Telezone

Dr. Purgathofer has founded and led the UID-Lab (1996-2004), a cooperation with GP Design Partners, and co-founded the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB) in 2012 with Fares Kayali. He is also the creator of the podcast "Peter Purgathofer spricht mit..." where he discusses topics from shared fields of expertise with outstanding individuals. He serves on the board of trustees at the European Forum Alpbach since 2016.

His laboratory work includes the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB), which serves as a breeding ground for research and design projects around game-based applications. He's also involved in the Aurora project, which explores new ways to organize and conduct teaching without traditional constraints. Current research projects include Way·Key (tools for people with inchoate dementia), Sparkling Games (game-based learning for 14-18 age bracket), and various educational technology initiatives.