Univ.-Prof. Torsten Möller, PhD is a Professor at the University of Vienna and serves as Head of the Research Group Visualization and Data Analysis and Head of the Research Network Data Science. His work spans data visualization, visual analytics, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on biomedical, environmental, and societal data applications. Academic rank: Professor Research group: Visualization and Data Analysis Network: Data Science Email: torsten.moeller@univie.ac.at Research interests include: Visual data analysis for complex systems Interdisciplinary applications in climate science and medicine Human-computer interaction in data exploration Image processing and computer graphics Recent publication trends show expertise in: Visualizing climate change and pandemic data Multi-volumetric and network analysis Algorithmic transparency and user-centered design Interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., astrophysics, medical imaging) Statistical and uncertainty visualization Design frameworks for visualization recommendation Teaching includes courses in: Computer graphics and visualization Image processing and analysis Human-computer interaction Data analysis projects Doctoral research seminars
Tina Comes is a Full Professor in Decision-Making & Digitalisation at the University of Maastricht, Netherlands. She holds a part-time position (0.2 FTE) and has previously held academic roles at TU Delft (Associate Professor in Decision-Making for Resilience, 2017), University of Agder (Full Professor in ICT, 2015-2017), and Visiting Professor at Lamsade, Université Dauphine, Paris (2014). Her research focuses on Crisis Informatics , Decision Theory , Disaster Management , Humanitarian Logistics , and Resilience . Her work spans building simulation , ventilation systems , and energy-efficient design , with grants totaling €9.6 million since 2012. Key projects include Resilient Systems (NL Ministry of Defense, 2020-2026), H2020 HERoS (2020-2023), and Climate Resilient Urban Infrastructure (Amsterdam, 2020-2022). She has supervised 6 PhD students at TU Delft (2017-2022), 3 Postdocs/PhDs at University of Agder (2013-2020), and 1 PhD at Université Toulouse (2014-2018). Her scientific awards include: 2020 José Maria Sarriegi Award by the Spanish Red Cross 2019 Emerald Literati Award 2016 Delft Technology Fellowship (acceptance rate 2012 Best Paper Award at ISCRAM Conference
Edgar Weippl is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, where he serves as Vice Dean and Head of the Research Group Security and Privacy. His work spans cybersecurity, blockchain, and machine learning, with teaching roles in information security and software security courses. Current Positions: Vice Dean (Faculty of Computer Science), Head (Security and Privacy Research Group), Deputy Head (Neuroinformatics & Knowledge Engineering Groups) Research Interests: Cybersecurity, blockchain, IoT security, code obfuscation, privacy technologies, reinforcement learning, and socio-technical systems security Selected Publications: Focus on blockchain privacy, VoWiFi security, code obfuscation, and reinforcement learning applications
Philipp Haindl is a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Security at St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI integration in education and manufacturing. Software Engineering Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence DevOps Quality Assurance Research Interests: Dr. Haindl explores software metrics, inter-service security in microservices, and AI tools like ChatGPT in programming education. He investigates quality models and non-functional requirements in DevOps environments. Publications: Recent work includes studies on ChatGPT's impact in software engineering education, systematic reviews of microservice security, and frameworks for human-AI teaming in manufacturing.
Roman Franz Froschauer is a Professor of Production Informatics at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, Research Center Wels. Since 2018, he has served as Director of Studies for the Master's program in Robotic Systems Engineering and leads the Smart Automation & Robotics research group. His career spans academic and industrial roles, including senior software development and project management at AlpinaTec Technical Products GmbH (2010-2016). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2010) from Johannes Kepler University Linz; Master's in Industrial Informatics (2005) from Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences. Research Areas: Software engineering for intelligent automation systems, human-robot interaction (HRI), control systems, and applications of IEC 61499 standards. His work focuses on proactive collaboration, trajectory planning, and user-centered design for assistive robots in office and industrial settings. Scientific Activities: Active in peer-review, conference organization, and technology development. Projects include VRoboCoop (human-robot trust), MARIE (office robotics), and Autility (automated utility vehicles). Key Contributions: Frameworks for modular manufacturing (PlugBot), skill-based engineering, and intralogistics automation (ATLAS).
Peter J. Mirski is a Professor of Management and IT at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), a leading business school in Austria. He has been associated with MCI since 1998, serving as head of the Management, Communication & IT and Digital Business & Software Engineering Online programs, which he co-founded. As Chief Information Officer (CIO), he oversees the central IT services department. He also holds a visiting professorship at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, USA. His academic background includes a Doctorate (Dr. rer. soc. oec.) from the University of Innsbruck, specializing in business management and information systems. He co-founded the PDAgroup GmbH in 2008 and has led numerous EU-funded research projects, notably the OPENSKIMR initiative for skill matching in digital labor markets. Mirski's research focuses on eLearning innovations, Industry 4.0, digital transformation, and project management. His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing practical applications. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, books, and chapters, spanning topics like big data solutions, mentoring frameworks, and tourism technology. Key Awards: SAP University Alliances Visionary Member, ESCO Maintenance Committee (EU Commission) Professional Roles: Member of Academic Board (SAP DACH), Chair of ERP Summerschool, Scientific Advisor (PDAgroup) Mirski’s teaching spans design thinking, entrepreneurship, and IT governance. He has advised over 50 students in bachelor, diploma, and master theses, focusing on topics like digital twin applications, GDPR compliance, and IT governance maturity. His leadership in EU projects has driven innovations in education, tourism, and workforce development.
Eberhard Lukas is a Researcher at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing, TU Graz. His contact details include an office at Sandgasse 36/III, room DH03096 in 8010 Graz, Austria. He holds a Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.), a Doctor of Technical Sciences (Dr.techn.), and a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Consultation hours are Fridays 10:00–11:00 by email appointment. Research interests focus on human-centered computing disciplines such as user experience design, human-computer interaction, and accessibility in interactive systems. His work aligns with the institute’s mission to bridge technology and human needs. No specific publications or awards are listed in the provided text, but his profile links to a research portal (PURE) for further details. Teaching contributions are implied through his role in 'Research & Teaching' activities.
Assoc. Prof. David Ahlström is an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics Systems, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. He also teaches within the Department of Media and Communications, focusing on human-computer interaction and interface design. His research spans multiple areas in human-computer interaction (HCI), including graphical user interfaces, usability engineering, and interactive mobile systems. Department of Informatics Systems (main affiliation) Department of Media and Communications (teaching) David Ahlström's research explores both theoretical and practical aspects of interaction design: Human-computer interaction (HCI) Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) Usability engineering Mobile computing interfaces Information design Interactive systems His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on interface innovation across different device categories. Early work investigated fundamental menu interaction models and mobile screen usability (2002-2007), while recent research (2015-2025) explores advanced spatial interfaces, vibration-based input methods, and multimodal UAV control systems. Common themes include: Evaluating new interaction techniques Optimizing spatial navigation Developing intuitive gesture systems Exploring wearable interface possibilities Advancing smartphone interaction paradigms Improving visual search performance As a member of the Equal Opportunities Working Group, he contributes to institutional initiatives beyond his technical research. His work often addresses practical challenges in mobile device usability across various contexts including education, emergency response, and domestic smart home systems.
Karin Elisabeth Siebenhandl is affiliated with the University for Continuing Education Krems, holding a Researcher position in the Office for Research Services. She holds engineering and doctoral degrees (Dipl.-Ing., Dr.) and specializes in interdisciplinary research areas including human-computer interaction, accessibility technologies, and gender equality in academia. Her work focuses on improving public infrastructure usability, particularly in transportation systems, and advancing gender equity initiatives in scientific organizations. Her research projects include EU-funded GenderTime (2013-2016), which evaluated strategies to support women in science, and the FFG-supported INNOMAT (2010-2011) developing barrier-free ticket vending machines. She has also led projects on road safety signage (Infrastructure and Safety, 2006-2008) and user-centered design for public information systems. Key research interests span: 1) Inclusive technology design for diverse user groups, 2) Gender equality policies in academic institutions, 3) Human factors in transportation infrastructure, and 4) Open access publishing strategies. Recent publications (2013-2017) emphasize user-centered approaches to public service technologies and institutional change processes. She has secured funding from EU Framework Programs (FP6/FP7), Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and industry partners. Her work has been presented at conferences like CeDEM, womENcourage, and ITS World Congress, demonstrating commitment to both technical innovation and societal impact.
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.
Jürgen Cito is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering at the Faculty of Informatics, TU Wien, where he leads research in probabilistic programming, security, and configuration management. His work is supported by major grants from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and Meta Platforms, Inc., with active projects spanning 2022-2027. His research focuses on the intersection of software engineering and machine learning, particularly in static analysis of probabilistic programs, AI-driven penetration testing, and infrastructure security. Key contributions include identifying secret exposure in configuration files, grammar inference for ad hoc parsers, and performance prediction from source code, often combining empirical studies with tool development. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Security vulnerabilities in configuration management systems, especially secret leakage in dotfiles; (2) Application of large language models to offensive security testing; and (3) Machine learning techniques for performance prediction and AutoML optimization in software contexts. Cito has supervised 22 Master's students on cutting-edge topics including AI security, infrastructure as code, and program analysis. His current research portfolio includes: Types4Strings (FWF, 2024-2027): Type systems for string processing Cloud Open Source Research Mobility Network (EU, 2023-2026): Open-source cloud infrastructure Software Assistants for Probabilistic Programming (Meta, 2022-2026): AI tools for probabilistic code He is embedded in TU Wien's Institute of Software Technology and Interactive Systems (E194), collaborating on cross-institutional projects focused on software security and developer tooling, with particular emphasis on empirical validation of security practices and configuration management systems.
Silvia Miksch is a Full University Professor of Visual Analytics at TU Wien's Faculty of Informatics, leading the CVAST Center. She holds a PhD from the University of Vienna and has held roles including Head of the Department of Information and Knowledge Engineering at Danube University Krems. Her research focuses on Visual Analytics, Information Visualization, Temporal Data Analysis, and Medical Informatics. She has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, with notable advisees including Ignacio Baltazar Pérez Messina and Davide Ceneda. Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in Visual Analytics for healthcare, business intelligence, and digital humanities. Awards include the IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award (2023) and induction into the IEEE Visualization Academy (2020). She actively contributes to conferences like IEEE VIS and EuroVis as program chair and steering committee member. Her projects, such as 'VisuExplore' and 'DisCo', have received recognition for advancing visualization in medical and cultural domains. Key research areas include guidance-enriched systems, network visualization, and temporal reasoning. She explores applications in fraud detection, cultural heritage analysis, and pandemic data visualization. Her lab's tools, like 'Hermes' and 'COVIs', exemplify task-driven design for real-world data challenges.
FH-Prof. Dr. Kerstin Blumenstein is a Professor in the Department of Media and Digital Technologies at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. She has been with the institution since 2019, leading research in Interaction Design, User Experience, and Information Visualization. Her work focuses on multi-device ecologies, mobile computing, and digital media integration in cultural and educational contexts. Education includes a Bachelor's in Media Technology (2010) and a Master's in Digital Media Technologies (2012), both from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Prior roles include student assistant at the Institute of Media Informatics and work as a Media Designer in Germany. Research projects like MEETeUX and Seekoi explore user-centered design for multi-device systems and context-aware mobile applications. Key interests span Human-Computer Interaction, second-screen applications, and visualization frameworks for real-time data. Publications emphasize cross-platform visualization tools, mobile interface design, and empirical evaluations of information displays. Current work addresses challenges in BYOD environments and cultural heritage digitalization through projects like KuKoNö . No scientific awards explicitly listed. Active in teaching across multiple programs including Media Technology (BA), Digital Healthcare (MA), and Interactive Technologies (MA).
David Ribeiro Lamas is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at Tallinn University's School of Digital Technologies, where he heads the Human-Computer Interaction group. He also serves as the chair of the Estonian chapter of ACM's SIGCHI and as an expert member of IFIP's TC13. With an extensive international career spanning the USA, UK, Portugal, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Estonia, he has developed deep expertise in designing organizations, communities, and human technologies. His educational background includes a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from Portsmouth University (1998), an MSc in Computer Science from Minho University (1994), and an Honours BSc in Informatics/Applied Mathematics from Portucalense University (1989). He also completed specialized studies in Strategic Management at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya and a postdoc in Augmented and Virtual Environments at Michigan State University. Lamas' research primarily focuses on design theory and methodologies, with recent work emphasizing trust in technology, facial recognition systems, and vibrotactile interfaces. He has pioneered academic programs including the Master in Human-Computer Interaction and the Masters in Interaction Design (run online with Cyprus University of Technology). His approach combines theoretical rigor with practical application, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. His publication record shows a strong trend toward understanding human trust in technology systems, with significant work on facial recognition, vibrotactile feedback systems, and trust frameworks. His research spans both theoretical contributions to HCI methodology and practical applications addressing real-world challenges in digital accessibility and user experience. 2025 HCI Pioneer Award from IFIP TC13 2025 Tallinn Conference Ambassador 2024 IFIP Service Award 2015 Badge of Merit from Tallinn University 2011 Best Paper Award for work on Estonia's M-Government Services 2000 Best Paper Award for research on Web navigation guidance Lamas has successfully supervised forty-eight master students, seven doctoral students, and two post-doc researchers, and currently supervises twelve doctoral students. His leadership extends to numerous research projects including COST Actions on Interactive Narrative Design and Human-Computer Interaction methodologies. He founded and leads STARTS.EE, Tallinn University's initiative promoting encounters between science, technology, and the arts. He has been instrumental in building the Estonian HCI community through seasonal courses on Experimental Interaction Design, Research Methods in HCI, and the Design of Human Technologies since 2010. His World Usability Day events bring together over 600 researchers and practitioners annually from the Baltics, Nordic countries, and beyond. Lamas has chaired major international conferences including INTERACT 2019, NordiCHI 2020, AfriCHI 2021, and ICIDIS 2021.
Eduard Gröller is a Full Professor of Visualization at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), leading the Research Unit of Computer Graphics and the Visualization Group within the Institute of Visual Computing & Human-Centered Technology (VC&HCT). He holds adjunct professorships at the University of Bergen, Norway, and chairs several academic committees. His academic journey began with a PhD in 1993 from TU Wien, followed by extensive contributions to visualization research. His research focuses on visual computing, scientific visualization, and medical imaging, with applications in energy modeling, climate analysis, and molecular biology. Gröller has pioneered methods like BEMTrace for BIM-based energy models and HORA 3D for flood risk visualization. He co-authored over 300 publications, including foundational work in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and Computer Graphics Forum . Gröller's awards include the IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award (2019), Eurographics 2015 Outstanding Technical Contributions Award, and Fellow of the Eurographics Association (2009). He actively contributes to conferences like EuroVis and IEEE Visualization as program chair and reviewer. His educational efforts span courses in visual computing, graphics, and data analysis, with a focus on immersive tools like ImNDT for material data exploration. Current projects include Climate-Sensitive Adaptive Planning for Resilient Cities, Visual Analytics in Radiation Therapy, and scalable web-based visualization techniques. He leads teams in VRVis, a research center for applied visualization, and collaborates internationally on medical imaging and environmental data challenges.
