Partarakis Nikolaos serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Informatics at the University of Macedonia. His teaching responsibilities include core courses such as Data Structures (AIC205), Human-Computer Interaction (AIC401), and Multimedia Technologies & Graphics (CSE706). His research program pioneers human-centered computing across intelligent environments and immersive technologies, with emphasis on inclusive design and real-world applicability. Key thematic areas include: Interaction in Intelligent Environments Novel HCI approaches and tools User Experience Design, Methods and Tools e-Accessibility, Design for All and Universal Access Representation of tangible/intangible Cultural Heritage X-Reality continuum interaction Adaptive User Interfaces With 11 books, 49 journal articles, and 39 conference publications, his scholarly output demonstrates sustained contributions to HCI theory and practice, particularly in accessibility frameworks and XR interface innovation. The publication trajectory reveals growing emphasis on cultural heritage digitization and motion-understanding systems since 2020.
Bruno Suner is a Researcher at the AAU Laboratory within the CRENAU research team, operating under the UMR CNRS framework involving Université Grenoble Alpes, ENSA Nantes, ENSA Grenoble, and Centrale Nantes. His work bridges architectural theory, urban planning, and digital technology through immersive applications. His research focuses on architectural and urban scenography , particularly developing immersive systems for sensory urban experiences. Key projects include the HAUP participatory interface for soundscape composition and the CORAULIS VR Platform for architectural simulation. His work explores how virtual environments can transform territorial mediation, urban planning processes, and architectural education through sensory engagement. Virtual reconstruction of historical sites (Gavrinis megalithic tomb) Participatory urban soundscaping methodologies Immersive pedagogical frameworks for architectural training Cinematic representation in digital architectural design Bruno Suner's scientific contributions demonstrate consistent innovation in applying virtual reality to architectural challenges, with recent publications showing increasing focus on community participation in urban sensory design. His work through the AAU Laboratory's forthcoming 2022-2026 scientific project continues to advance interdisciplinary approaches to urban environments. His research methodology integrates practical development of immersive platforms with theoretical exploration of sensory urbanism, creating tangible tools for both academic research and community engagement in urban planning processes.
Professor Kate Howland is a Professor of Interaction Design in the Department of Informatics at the University of Sussex's School of Engineering and Informatics. Appointed as a Lecturer in 2013 after completing her PhD and MSc at Sussex, she has established herself as a leading researcher in end-user programming and child-computer interaction. As a member of the Creative Technology Group, she leads the Human-Centred Technology lab and has secured substantial research funding from EPSRC, UKRI, and other major funding bodies. Her research focuses on enabling non-experts, particularly children and older adults, to participate meaningfully in technology design and programming. Key research areas include: End-user programming for smart environments Child-computer interaction and educational technology Participatory design methodologies Interactive storytelling systems Technology for autistic children and older adults Professor Howland has supervised seven PhD students to completion between 2020-2025, with research spanning conversational programming interfaces, gesture-based learning, and motion-based sonic systems for autism support. Her recent publications (2023-2025) show increasing focus on embodied programming concepts, concreteness fading in computing education, and innovative approaches to supporting non-verbal communication through full-body interaction systems. Professor Howland currently teaches Technology Enhanced Learning Environments and Applications and Implications of Artificial Intelligence, and serves as Course Convenor for the Computer Science (Conversion) MSc. Her active grants include British Academy funding for climate transition research and UKRI support for dementia-focused storytelling projects. She maintains an active research agenda with strong community engagement components, working directly with user groups often excluded from technology design processes. Her laboratory work emphasizes real-world application and meaningful user involvement throughout the design lifecycle.
Paul McCormack is a Lecturer in Interaction Design at Ulster University's Belfast School of Art, where he serves as Course Director for the BDes Hons Interaction Design program. With three decades of professional graphic design experience, he brings real-world expertise to his academic role at the Belfast campus, located in room BA-03-013 at 2-24 York Street, Belfast. McCormack's research focuses on the intersection between digital and analogue worlds within interaction design. His current work explores the application of simple algorithms to create complex printed generative outputs, bridging computational processes with tangible design artifacts. His teaching philosophy emphasizes keeping students updated with the latest technologies while instilling best practices in research, concept development, and realization. His scholarly work examines how temporal factors affect users' memory of technology interactions, contributing to our understanding of usability assessment over time. This research connects his interests in both the technical aspects of interaction design and the cognitive dimensions of user experience. As Course Director, McCormack plays a key role in shaping the next generation of interaction designers, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to industry needs while fostering creative and technical excellence among students through his extensive professional background.
Alexander Buchelt serves as a Researcher in the Department of Computer Science and Security at University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, contributing to the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (BA) program. His industry background includes data analytics roles at Hutchison Drei Austria (2014-2018) and MindTake Research GmbH (2019-2020), followed by academic experience as a Student Assistant at FH St. Pölten (2020-2022). His research spans artificial intelligence with emphasis on natural language processing for German content moderation, fractal-based neural network architectures, and AI policy frameworks. Current work demonstrates strong focus on real-world implementation including drone applications in forest ecology, multilingual social media analysis, and regulatory compliance for emerging AI systems. Technical approaches integrate machine learning with domain-specific challenges across environmental science, media analysis, and telecommunications. Publication trends since 2022 reveal increasing emphasis on ethical AI deployment and practical system robustness, with 2024-2025 works addressing content moderation safeguards, neural network innovation, and environmental monitoring solutions. His research consistently bridges theoretical AI development with tangible societal applications, particularly in European regulatory contexts and German-language environments. As part of the Department of Computer Science and Security, Buchelt contributes to Austria's applied research ecosystem focused on practical technology solutions. His work aligns with the university's mission in developing industry-relevant AI applications while addressing emerging challenges in security, ethics, and cross-domain implementation.
University of Library Studies and Information TechnologiesBulgaria
Roumen Nikolov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is an active researcher with 19 publications generating over 10,773 reads and 81 citations, specializing in the integration of information technology across education, environmental management, and urban development. As a core member of Elena Shoikova's Lab, his work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementations of emerging technologies. His research spans Smart Education systems, Blockchain applications, Smart City ecosystems, and Forest Management solutions. Key interests include developing competence-based learning models for digital natives, creating energy-efficient smart home environments, and establishing interoperable standards for urban IoT infrastructure. His publications consistently emphasize sustainability, user-centered design, and the socio-technical implications of digital transformation in both educational and ecological contexts. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a pronounced interdisciplinary trajectory where computer science fundamentals converge with environmental science and educational theory. Dominant themes include the application of Big Data analytics in urban ecosystems, blockchain-enabled industrial innovation, and the conceptualization of smart learning environments. His work demonstrates particular strength in translating technical capabilities into tangible solutions for Bulgaria's national ICT strategy implementation and sustainable regional development. Nikolov maintains extensive collaborative networks across Bulgarian academic institutions including the Technical University of Sofia and Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. His primary research vehicle is Elena Shoikova's Lab, which focuses on advanced ICT applications in education and environmental management. Current projects emphasize cloud-based educational architectures, smart forest ecological management systems, and the development of service-oriented smart home solutions that prioritize energy efficiency and user experience.
Shree K. Nayar is the T. C. Chang Professor of Computer Science in the School of Engineering at Columbia University, where he heads the Columbia Vision Laboratory (CAVE). He served as Department Chair from 2009-2012 and was Director of Research at Snap Inc. from 2018-2024. Nayar received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and has been at Columbia since 1991, progressing from Assistant to Full Professor. His educational background includes a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (1990), an MS from North Carolina State University (1986), and a BS from Birla Institute of Technology in India (1984). He began his career as a Research Engineer at Taylor Instruments in New Delhi before pursuing graduate studies. Nayar's research spans three interconnected areas: novel computational cameras that capture new forms of visual information, physics-based models for vision and graphics, and algorithms for scene understanding. His work in computational imaging has transformed digital photography, with applications in smartphones, robotics, virtual reality, and human-computer interfaces. His research has produced over 300 publications with nearly 60,000 citations and 80 patents. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on computational imaging challenges including low-light vision, depth sensing, mobile interaction, and accessibility technologies. His work consistently bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, as evidenced by commercial implementations of his assorted pixels technology in smartphone cameras. Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2008), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2011), National Academy of Inventors (2014), and Indian National Academy of Engineering (2022) Okawa Prize (2023), IEEE PAMI Distinguished Researcher Award (2019) Two-time David Marr Prize winner (1990, 1995) - the highest honor in computer vision Multiple best paper awards at major conferences including SIGGRAPH Asia (2024) and ECCV (2024) National Young Investigator Award (1991), Packard Fellowship (1992) Nayar has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students throughout his career at Columbia. His lab has received continuous funding from NSF, industry partners, and foundations. The Columbia Vision Laboratory (CAVE) is known for its interdisciplinary approach, combining optics, hardware design, and algorithms to solve fundamental vision problems. Nayar's Bigshot Camera project demonstrates his commitment to education, providing hands-on learning experiences for students worldwide. The Columbia Vision Laboratory (CAVE) develops cutting-edge computational imaging and computer vision systems. Under Nayar's leadership, the lab has pioneered technologies including self-powered cameras, high dynamic range imaging systems, and novel computational cameras. The lab maintains strong industry connections, particularly through Nayar's role at Snap Research, and emphasizes translating research into real-world applications that benefit society.
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and ArtsGermany
Daniel Heßler serves as Professor in the Department of Design at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, specializing in the BA Serious Games & Digital Knowledge program where he provides student advisory services. He actively mentors students developing games that transcend entertainment through educational and knowledge-based applications. His research focuses on the pedagogical integration of game mechanics, emphasizing serious game design across multiple formats including digital prototypes, board games, card games, and role-playing systems. He prioritizes practical implementation of learning theories through spatial design, user interface development, and hybrid game systems that connect gameplay with knowledge acquisition. Prof. Heßler conducts structured portfolio consultations requiring digital presentations of 3D models, game prototypes, and process diagrams, maintaining accessibility through email coordination for alternative appointments. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with tangible educational outcomes in game-based learning environments.
Dr. Deepti Aggarwal is a Lecturer in Emerging Digital Health Technologies at Deakin University's School of Information Technology within the Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment. Previously, she held research positions at RMIT University's School of Media and Communications and the University of Melbourne's Department of Computing and Information Systems. She maintains honorary affiliations with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Melbourne, a Master's by Research in Computer Science from the International Institute of Information Technology in Hyderabad, and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate of Higher Education at Deakin University. She has extensive experience in interdisciplinary health technology research, collaborating with clinicians at major medical institutions. Dr. Aggarwal's research focuses on the intersection of design, health, and technology with particular emphasis on wearable and tangible interactions, IoT, Virtual Reality, and playful systems to promote healthy eating practices among children and adults. Her work explores how emerging technologies can create awareness about positive eating habits and facilitate the adoption of nutritious eating in everyday life through innovative interfaces and experiences. Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent contributions to human-computer interaction and digital health, with recent work focusing on emerging digital health technologies and smart systems. Her research shows a clear trajectory from foundational work in telehealth and physiotherapy to broader applications in nutrition and healthy behaviors, utilizing increasingly sophisticated interactive technologies. Winner of the 2017 Fresh Science Award in Victoria Finalist for the Premiers Design Award 2022 Honorable Mention Award at ACM CHI PLAY 2020 Finalist for the 2019 IxDA Interaction Awards Finalist for the 2018 Victorian Premier's Design Award Dr. Aggarwal has received significant research recognition, including extensive media coverage of her PhD work on smart socks (SoPhy) reaching over 86 million people globally, with features in BBC News, ABC News, and selection for the London Science Museum's 'From the Lab' video series. She has secured research funding including the ECR PRESS SCHEME 2023 grant. She is actively involved with multiple research groups including the Immersive Technologies Lab at Deakin University, the Hearty Adventures in Food and Play Research Lab at RMIT University, and the National Nutrition Network for Early Childhood Education and Care, demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration in health technology innovation.
Dr. Adrian Clark is an Associate Professor in the School of Product Design at the University of Canterbury's Faculty of Engineering, where he teaches and conducts research in the Applied Immersive Game Design major (Bachelor of Product Design) and Game Development (Bachelor of Digital Screen Honours). His research focuses on Augmented Reality, Computer Vision, Game Design, Computer Graphics, and Artificial Intelligence . Clark completed his PhD in Computer Science at the HIT Lab NZ, developing the OPIRA (Optical-flow Perspective Invariant Registration Augmentation) framework. He later invented 'Colourable Augmented Reality,' leading to the co-founding of QuiverVision, whose Quiver app has been downloaded over 22 million times. After seven years as Head of Research and Development at QuiverVision, he returned to academia. Clark has designed multiple degree programs including the Bachelor of Digital Screen (Honours) with specializations in Animation, Game Arts, and Game Development, as well as the Digital Product Design major. His publication record shows consistent contributions to human-computer interaction venues with emphasis on practical AR applications, particularly in educational contexts and game design. As a supervisor, Clark has mentored numerous graduate students across diverse AR/VR projects spanning dance education, rugby safety, sexuality education, neurological studies, and cultural applications. His professional activities include extensive journal reviewing for publications like IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, and Frontiers in Public Health. ORCID: 0000-0001-6009-879X Contact: +6433692458 | adrian.clark@canterbury.ac.nz | West 329
Max Planck Institute for Security and PrivacyGermany
Hongyu Zhang is a Professor and Dean of the School of Big Data and Software Engineering at Chongqing University, China, and an Honorary Professor at The University of Newcastle, Australia. Previously, he served as a Lead Researcher at Microsoft Research Asia and an Associate Professor at Tsinghua University, China. He received his PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2003. His academic journey spans prestigious institutions, combining industry research experience with academic leadership. Dr. Zhang's research interests focus on intelligent software engineering, software analytics, data-driven software engineering, software fault management, testing and debugging, and software maintenance and reuse. His work centers on improving software quality and productivity by mining and analyzing vast amounts of software data. Over the years, he has developed innovative methods that apply data mining, machine learning (including deep learning), and information retrieval techniques to extract knowledge from software data and solve complex software engineering problems. His research spans three major areas: intelligent programming (code search, code summarization, code generation), intelligent quality prediction (defect prediction, cloud failure prediction, performance prediction), and intelligent fault detection and diagnosis (log-based fault detection, crash-based fault localization, bug report analytics). His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating large language models and deep learning techniques with traditional software engineering practices. The research spans intelligent programming assistance, code security, UI automation, distributed systems optimization, and performance analysis. His work increasingly focuses on practical applications of AI in software engineering, with emphasis on real-world impact in industrial settings, particularly in microservices, cloud systems, and large-scale software development environments. 8 ACM Distinguished Paper Awards Best Paper Award: How Long Will it Take to Mitigate this Incident for Online Service Systems? David Lorge Parnis Fellowship Senior Member of IEEE Distinguished Member of ACM Distinguished Member of CCF Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) Recognized in The Australian's Top Researchers special edition as leading researcher in Software Systems World's Top 2% Scientists (career-long) Dr. Zhang has successfully advised numerous PhD and Master's students who have gone on to prominent positions at leading technology companies and academic institutions worldwide. His research has been supported by significant grants including Australian Research Council Discovery Projects (as Lead CI) and multiple National Science Foundation of China projects. His work has made tangible impacts in industry, most notably through the Microsoft Developer Assistant project which received over 450K downloads in 2016. He leads research groups focused on intelligent software engineering and software analytics, with strong collaborations between Chongqing University, The University of Newcastle, and Microsoft Research. His teams develop practical tools for code intelligence, log analysis, and fault diagnosis that are deployed in real-world online service systems.
Lonni Besançon serves as an Assistant Professor at Linköping University and Infravis Node Coordinator, specializing in human-computer interaction and scientific visualization. His work bridges novel interaction paradigms with scientific domain applications through rigorous user validation. His core research focuses on: 3D interaction techniques for scientific visualization Tactile and tangible interface design Domain-specific applications in medicine and fluid dynamics User-centered validation via controlled experiments with domain experts Methodologically, he emphasizes real-world validation with both laboratory and field participants to assess interaction efficacy. Technical execution leverages C++ and Java programming alongside desktop, VR, and AR hardware ecosystems. Primary tools include GitHub for collaboration and D3 for data-driven visualization development. Scientific Awards: No awards were referenced in the source material. Advising and Grants: The text provides no information regarding student supervision or research funding. Labs and Teams: As Infravis Node Coordinator, Besançon leads infrastructure development for visualization systems within the InfraVis project framework, supporting scientific communities through specialized resources and services.
Sven Bertel is a Professor at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences in the Faculty of Information and Communication, where he leads the CIVU – Center for Interaction, Visualization and Usability. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, particularly in usability engineering, spatial cognition, and educational technology applications. Professor Bertel's research interests span several interconnected domains. His primary focus is on spatial cognition and mental rotation, where he investigates how people solve spatial problems and how these abilities can be trained through technology. A significant portion of his work applies these principles to medical ultrasound training through the development of SonoGame, a serious game designed to improve visuospatial skills for medical professionals. He also explores digital competencies development, particularly how user-centered software development can be integrated into educational contexts to prepare students for a digital world. His publication trends reveal a consistent focus on spatial abilities and educational technology since 2017, with recent work (2021-2024) increasingly emphasizing medical applications of spatial cognition research. His collaborations span multiple disciplines, particularly with medical researchers in ultrasound imaging and educators working on digital transformation in teaching. Professor Bertel is actively involved in several research projects related to digital competencies and medical training technologies. His leadership of the CIVU center indicates his role in coordinating interdisciplinary research efforts focused on interaction design, visualization techniques, and usability engineering. His teaching responsibilities include courses in the Applied Informatics program, with a specific focus on usability engineering. Through his work, he bridges theoretical research in spatial cognition with practical applications in medical training and educational technology.
Kristian Gohlke is a lecturer and doctoral candidate at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, actively contributing to academic instruction and pioneering research at the intersection of physical materials and computational systems. His institutional affiliation centers on innovative technology development within the university's research ecosystem. His research focuses on Tangible User Interfaces and Physical Computing , specifically investigating how large air-filled structures can function as dynamic input/output devices for computers. This work explores novel human-computer interaction paradigms, including playful applications like bouncy castles integrated with gaming systems. His methodology emphasizes hands-on Digital Fabrication using self-built 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and custom electronics within the Bauhaus Apparatus Laboratory. Gohlke founded and operates the Bauhaus Apparatus Laboratory, a dedicated prototyping facility enabling experimental technology development. Holding a degree in Digital Media, he maintains a lifelong passion for electronics dating to childhood projects like homemade radios and automated systems. As an advocate for experiential learning, he actively participates in the Children's University Weimar to inspire children through fearless technological experimentation and critical examination of everyday devices.
