Jordan Tynes is a Lecturer in the Computer Science Department at Wellesley College, specializing in immersive learning environments and playable media. His work integrates technology-based immersion with liberal arts pedagogy through Virtual Reality applications and digital game development. He holds a B.F.A. from the University of California-Santa Cruz and an M.F.A. from Tufts University. His research focuses on developing standards for effective immersive learning via the iLRN CHEX consortium and examines games through technical and cultural lenses in his academic podcast SubjectMatter:TableTop . Tynes teaches a three-course sequence spanning Intro to Game Design (CS121/MAS121), Extended Reality (CS321), and Advanced Projects in Playable Media (CS365/MAS365), emphasizing ethical development practices and interdisciplinary collaboration. His work bridges computer science with Media Arts & Sciences through cross-listed curricula. As a dedicated maker-space advocate, he explores 3D scanning and aerial imagery production for VR/AR applications while contributing to the Liberal Technology consortium. His campus presence includes Twitch streaming (jstored) and podcast production to extend scholarly engagement beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Salman Nazir is Professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) , Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Maritime Operations. He heads the Training and Assessment Research Group (TARG) and is Scientific Leader of the national Centre of Excellence in Maritime Simulator Training and Assessment (COAST). Since 2019 he has held the rank of Professor, after serving as Associate Professor from 2015 and earlier post-doctoral and lecturer roles in Norway, Italy, South Korea and Pakistan. Education PhD in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering ( cum laude ), Politecnico di Milano, Italy, 2011–2013 MSc in Chemical Engineering (Process System Engineering), Hanyang University, South Korea, 2007–2009 BSc in Chemical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan, 2002–2006 Research Interests Prof. Nazir’s work sits at the intersection of Human Factors, Safety and Simulation Technology . He investigates how immersive virtual- and augmented-reality simulators, novel training syllabi and evidence-based performance indices can enhance operator competence and safety in complex maritime and process-industry systems. Concepts such as Distributed Situation Awareness , multi-criteria decision making , accident analysis and learning process optimisation are central to his multidisciplinary agenda, which actively involves cognitive scientists, computer scientists, maritime practitioners and industrial stakeholders. Research Trends & Article Overview Across more than 80 peer-reviewed outputs, a clear trajectory emerges: early focus on process-industry training simulators and KPI development evolved into maritime-centric studies on simulator fidelity, VR-based education, and human-automation interaction in autonomous shipping. Recent work (2019–2021) emphasises systematic reviews and comparative European studies, validating VR-headset efficacy, performance-assessment frameworks, and sociotechnical implications of increased automation. Honours & Awards COAST designated one of 12 national Centres of Excellence in Education (SFU) by DIKU, Norway Coordinator/Leader, EU Horizon 2020 project ENHANCE (multi-million NOK) 400 000 NOK MARKOM 2020 Workshop grant PhD cum laude , Politecnico di Milano Young-researcher grants, Politecnico di Milano (2011 & 2013) Merit scholarships, Hanyang University & Korean Government Advising & Grant Portfolio Prof. Nazir currently supervises 6 master students and 1 PhD candidate in “Automated Performance Assessment in Maritime Operations”, while co-supervising additional PhD students at Liverpool John Moores University. He has successfully graduated 3 master and 6 bachelor students . External funding includes EU Horizon 2020, Norwegian SFU scheme, MARKOM 2020, Maritime Technology and Innovation (MTDI) and multiple Italian national grants. Labs & Collaborative Networks He leads TARG at USN, acts as Scientific Leader of COAST , and collaborates with leading international scholars such as Prof. Zaili Yang (Liverpool John Moores), Prof. Annette Kluge (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Davide Manca (Politecnico di Milano) and Prof. Paulo Carvalho (UFRJ, Brazil). These partnerships span computer science, cognitive psychology, maritime logistics and safety engineering, ensuring a truly interdisciplinary research ecosystem.
Péter Kiszl is a Hungarian librarian , economist , and university professor at the Institute of Library and Information Science , Faculty of Humanities, Eötvös Loránd University. He serves as Institute Director , Head of Department of Information Science and Library Science , and Doctoral Program Director . His work spans information/knowledge management , financial literacy , digital humanities , and library training programs. Education: MA in Library Science (ELTE, 2001), BSc in Economics (Szolnok College, 2002), PhD summa cum laude (ELTE, 2004), Habilitation (ELTE, 2010) Research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to information disorders , financial literacy programs in libraries, and digital humanities integration. He has published 200+ works in journals like The Journal of Academic Librarianship and Reference Services Review , with recent studies analyzing AI implementation in academic libraries and global LIS trends . His 15 most recent publications (2022–2025) reveal a conceptual framework for librarian identity in infodemics, innovation strategies in Kenyan libraries, and digital preservation of circus arts. Articles frequently address information ethics , community financial education , and library transformation in crises. Scientific Awards: ELTE BTK Kariné Díj (2020, 2021, 2022) MTA Bolyai János Kutatási Ösztöndíj (2020–2023) ÚNKP Bolyai+ (2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23) As founding director of ELTE’s Digital Humanities Center (2017–2019) and organizer of the Real Library–Library Reality conference series, he drives international LIS collaborations through COST Action and Ceepus networks. He supervises Stipendium Hungaricum doctoral students and chairs multiple academic committees.
Nina Küpper is a Senior Engineer at the Institute of Mineral Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, specializing in satellite remote sensing for mining residue characterization and digital education in mining. She leads the SatMine research project, integrating satellite imaging with environmental monitoring. Research Focus: Machine learning applications in mine waste identification, VR-based technical training, and copper sediment distribution analysis. Projects: SatMine, VR-Mine, MyScore mobility initiative. Technologies: Remote sensing, geospatial AI, holographic tools, and virtual mineralogical showrooms. Her work bridges environmental sustainability with mining education, emphasizing digital innovation and international collaboration.
Jason B. Moats is a Professor of Practice at Texas A&M University and Director of the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness. With a distinguished background spanning academia, U.S. Navy service, fire service, and emergency management, he integrates practical field experience with scholarly research to advance disaster response systems and public safety training methodologies. His academic credentials include: PhD in Educational Human Resource Development, Texas A&M University (2013) MS in Educational Human Resource Development, Texas A&M University (2007) BS in Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (1997) Dr. Moats' research centers on disaster management training and technology acceptance within public safety ecosystems. He pioneers human-centered approaches to immersive technologies (AR/VR), robotics deployment in crises, and equity-focused emergency preparedness. His work critically examines barriers for underrepresented groups in fire services while developing adaptive training frameworks for emergency responders operating in resource-constrained environments. Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Immersive technology integration in triage training systems, (2) Robotics applications during pandemics and natural disasters, and (3) Socio-technical factors affecting vulnerable populations' disaster resilience. These intersect with his foundational work on scholar-practitioner development and technology adoption theory. His accolades include: Regents Fellow Award (Texas A&M University System) Distinguished Service Award (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Valor Award (Escambia County Firefighters Association) As an active scholar-practitioner, Dr. Moats serves on editorial boards for human resource development journals and contributes to national policy discussions through non-profit and governmental boards. His leadership in the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness drives innovation in rural emergency response capabilities through technology adaptation and workforce development initiatives. The USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, under his direction, develops specialized training programs addressing unique challenges in rural disaster management, including telehealth integration, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and culturally competent response strategies for underserved communities.
Weronika Paulina Mlotkowska is an Instructor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen. Her research and teaching focus on human-centred computing, interaction design, virtual reality (VR), mobile computing, and user interface technology. She contributes to both undergraduate and graduate programs, including courses on Interaction Design, Virtual Reality, and User Interface Technology. Fields of Interest: Human-Centred Computing, Interaction Design, Virtual Reality, Mobile Computing, User Interface Technology, Visualization
Dr. Can Liu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong, where she leads the ERFI Lab (Laboratory of Empirical Research for Future Interfaces). Her research focuses on designing future interfaces for ubiquitous technologies through empirical understanding of human cognition and behavior, with emphasis on multimodal interaction combining physical and digital elements. Education: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Université Paris-Sud (France), INRIA labs ex)situ and ILDA MSc in Media Informatics, RWTH Aachen University (Germany) Dr. Liu's research spans three primary domains: AI-assisted Input (using LLMs/NLP to enhance text manipulation and speech interfaces), Spatial Computing (multimodal interfaces for AR/VR and large displays), and Hybrid/Remote Collaboration (supporting intuitive remote interaction through understanding collocated collaboration). Her work integrates empirical user studies with real-world system deployments in public spaces. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends toward LLM-integrated interfaces, wearable computing applications, and novel interaction techniques for foldable devices. Her team consistently publishes at top venues including CHI, UIST, and CSCW, with increasing focus on practical AI integration for everyday tasks. Awards and Recognition: Best Paper Award at ACM CHI 2014 (top 1%) Honourable Mention at ACM CHI 2012 (top 5%) Dr. Liu actively mentors PhD students and researchers while securing substantial research funding including Google Faculty Research Awards, National Natural Science Foundation grants, and RGC Early Career Schemes. She serves on numerous program committees including ACM CHI (Associate Chair 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017) and co-organizes research initiatives like the HCIX Summer Research Program. Her laboratory ecosystem includes the ERFI Lab, affiliation with the Augmented Materiality Lab and Kowloon Interaction Center, and active participation in the Greater Bay HCI community, supporting both fundamental research and industry collaboration with partners including Google, Huawei, and Lenovo.
Vicky McArthur is an Associate Professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication, specializing in Media Production and Design with cross-appointment in Communication and Media Studies. She co-directs the MARVEL Lab, a leading facility for mixed/augmented reality and virtual environments research. Research Interests : Her work bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with game design, digital humanities, and immersive storytelling. Key areas include: Augmented and Virtual Reality systems Avatar-mediated communication Cultural analysis of digital media Visual language learning frameworks Funding & Collaboration : Currently supported by SSHRC, NSERC, and CFI grants, her research involves international partnerships like the 2024 Nara Institute collaboration in Japan. Her lab features optical tracking, MoCap suits, and HMD fleets for cutting-edge experiments. Scientific Recognition : Awards include: Young Network Investigator (2014, GRAND-NCE) Research Achievement Award (2021) Research Excellence Award (2022) Multiple ACM Best Paper honours Publication Diversity : Publishes in ACM CHI, IEEE Visualization, Frontiers in Psychology, and cultural studies venues like ISEA and Replaying Japan, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach.
Nuno N. Correia is an Associate Professor in Digital Transformation at Tallinn University , with over two decades of experience in media art and interaction design. He holds a PhD in Art and Design in New Media from Aalto University (Finland) and is a visiting lecturer at Aalto University and an associated researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute (U. Lisbon, Portugal) . Previously, he worked at design consultancy Fjord (now Accenture Song). Education: PhD in Art and Design in New Media, Aalto University His research spans human-computer interaction , sound and music computing , and multisensory user experience . Recent projects focus on ethical AI in music, interactive dance technologies, and VR environments for performance arts. His work bridges machine learning, embodiment, and audiovisual systems. Key trends in his publications include: AVUI (Audio-Visual User Interfaces) design Biosignal integration in dance Screen scores and performance ecologies Browser-based interactive installations Scientific contributions include a Marie Curie fellowship and Creative Europe projects . He has published extensively in top conferences like CHI, DIS, TEI, NIME, and ISEA.
Enea Dimitris Tseno is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University's School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering. His research focuses on Intelligent Digital Twins, integrating Physics-informed Machine Learning (PIML) into HVAC systems' digital twins to enhance predictive energy management. He utilizes VR technology as an interface for immersive exploration of DT behavior. Since 2020, he has specialized in Building Energy Simulations for compliance and Net Zero strategies, developing Python tools for HVAC system analysis. Active in academia, he serves as BERG’s Doctoral Researcher Representative and ASHRAE UK Student Activities Chair, mentoring students in Net Zero competitions. His recent research includes a study on ventilation effectiveness and CO2 concentration prediction using CFD simulations and Random Forest models. He is affiliated with the Building Energy research group and holds a BSc and MSc. Contact details include a phone number and LinkedIn profile. Research Interests: AI-driven Digital Twin methodologies for HVAC systems Physics-informed Neural Networks (PINNs) in energy systems Net Zero Carbon strategies and building energy optimization Virtual Reality applications in engineering simulation
Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for InformaticsGermany
Keng Siau is a Professor in the Department of Information Systems at City University of Hong Kong. Previously, he held roles at Missouri University of Science and Technology (2012–2021) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1996–2012). His PhD is from the University of British Columbia. Siau's research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Systems, AI ethics, and business technology integration. He has published over 260 papers and edited multiple conference proceedings. Research interests include generative AI applications in education/metaverse, digital marketing strategies, virtual collaboration, and AI governance. His work explores topics like investor engagement in online platforms, cybersecurity risk communication, and the impact of AI avatars on human interaction. Siau is actively involved in HCI conferences, co-chairing HCIBGO tracks at HCI international conferences since 2023. Recent articles highlight trends in AI-driven marketing, metaverse design frameworks, and ethical considerations in AI systems. He collaborates with institutions globally to advance research in virtual worlds and business analytics. Siau's contributions span theoretical and applied domains, emphasizing practical solutions for organizational agility and digital transformation.
Dr. Xingqiu Lou is an Assistant Professor at the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Kent State University. She holds degrees from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (B.S.), University of Delaware (M.S.), and North Carolina State University (M.S. in Statistics and Ph.D.). Her research focuses on the intersection of technology, consumer experience, and sustainability in the global textile and apparel industry. She explores AI, VR, AR, and blockchain to address industry challenges and promote sustainable practices. Dr. Lou’s work emphasizes quantitative and qualitative methods, with publications in peer-reviewed journals and active participation in international conferences. Her teaching philosophy centers on digital tools and real-world scenarios to enhance student engagement. Key research areas include consumer behavior analysis, sustainable fashion innovations, and ethical technology integration. Her recent studies span AI-generated fashion ads, blockchain in supply chain transparency, and Gen Z consumer perceptions. While no specific awards are cited, her contributions highlight emerging trends in fashion technology and sustainability.
Jodie Mills is a Researcher at the School of Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, pursuing a PhD on the use of Voice Activated Technology to support speech maintenance in People with Parkinson's. Her academic background includes a Master's in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Queen's University Belfast, 2023) and a Bachelor's in BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy (2022). Her research focuses on assistive technologies like smart speakers and Virtual Reality in healthcare contexts, particularly addressing speech disorders in Parkinson's Disease and Autism. She actively contributes to clinical guidelines through roles at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Parkinson's UK. Key achievements include winning the Best Poster award at the Ulster University PhD Festival (2025) and presenting at multiple conferences on topics like VR in autism therapy and smart speaker applications in speech therapy. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and health, emphasizing innovation in speech and language therapy practices.
Dr. Ahmed Ehab Abdelsalam is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Digital Creativity at Loughborough University, specializing in Virtual Reality (VR) applications for architecture and urban design. He holds a PhD in Architecture Design-Social Science from the University of Nottingham, where his research focused on resilient design for London’s elevated social spaces using interactive VR co-design methods. His academic journey includes roles such as Hourly Paid Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, Studio Tutor at the University of Nottingham, and Assistant Lecturer at The British University in Egypt, emphasizing design communication and urban planning education. His research interests span Virtual Reality applications in architecture, sustainable vertical urbanism, and community participation in design. Key areas include immersive co-design for public engagement, AI-integrated VR systems, and qualitative user experience studies. He advocates for sustainable design approaches in hyper-density cities and has explored post-pandemic urban green spaces and cognitive experiences in elevated public spaces. Dr. Ehab’s work integrates advanced VR workflows with generative AI and gamification techniques, aiming to enhance public participation in architectural design. He is affiliated with the Design for Future Living research group and actively contributes to the development of digital twins and empathic modeling tools. His teaching experience includes mentoring postgraduate urban design students and delivering undergraduate architecture courses. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to immersive technology and sustainable urban development reflect a commitment to innovative, community-centric design solutions.
Erik Thostenson is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware, with an affiliated appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He holds degrees from the University of Delaware (PhD/MS in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering) and Winona State University (BS in Composite Materials Engineering, Summa Cum Laude). His research focuses on advanced composite materials, nanotechnology, and multifunctional sensor integration into composites. Dr. Thostenson's expertise spans composites processing, nanomaterials characterization (particularly carbon nanotubes), and structural health monitoring. His work emphasizes developing novel fabrication techniques like electrophoretic deposition for hierarchical composites, with applications in aerospace, civil infrastructure, and biomedical wearable sensors. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award, Air Force YIP Award, Elsevier Young Composites Researcher Award, and Hayashi International Memorial Award. He has pioneered methods for in situ sensing in composites using nanomaterials, enabling real-time damage detection and smart material systems. His research portfolio includes over 100 publications on topics like carbon nanotube-based sensors, additive manufacturing of composite tooling, and VR-integrated rehabilitation systems. He has also contributed to industry-relevant solutions such as scalable roll-to-roll composite manufacturing and structural repair methodologies.
