Simon Hoermann

Simon Hoermann serves as an Associate Professor at the School of Product Design within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Canterbury. His research in Transformational Computing integrates cutting-edge technology with health applications, focusing on creating impactful solutions to improve health outcomes. With a PhD from the University of Otago (2013) and an MSc from Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (2008), he brings extensive technical and research expertise to his position.

• PhD, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (2013)
• MSc, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy (2008)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, University of Canterbury (2022)

Hoermann's research spans neurorehabilitation, mental health technologies, health training simulations, and food psychology. His work on Extended Reality applications for brain injury recovery has been pioneering, and he has developed augmented intelligence systems for online community moderation and virtual AI companions for mental health support. His recent collaborations explore virtual reality applications in understanding eating behaviors and cravings, with implications for obesity prevention and smoking cessation.

His 15 most recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on virtual reality applications in healthcare, mental health support, and serious game design, with particular emphasis on therapeutic alliance in virtual environments, VR exergaming for neurological conditions, and culturally appropriate game design for disaster preparedness. These works span computer science, psychology, and healthcare domains.

• 1st Place in the Business Category at the GALA International Serious Games Competition (2024) for Nutri-Islands

Hoermann has successfully supervised numerous graduate students and secured significant research funding, including grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and Tertiary Education Commission. His Nutri-Islands project represents a significant impact, winning international recognition for its culturally inclusive approach to promoting healthy eating behaviors among young people in New Zealand. He actively collaborates with health professionals, technologists, and domain experts to develop user-centered, evidence-based solutions.