Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology
Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology investigates the design and development of key technologies in the areas of computer vision, computer graphics, visualization, augmented/mixed/virtual reality, and human-computer interaction.

Contact
- Silvia Miksch, Coordinator
Research Topics
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
- Visualization and Visual Analytics
- Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality
- Media Analysis and Retrieval
- Human-computer Interaction, Design and Socially Embedded Computing
- Assistive Technologies and Ubiquitous Computing
About
Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology investigates the design and development of key technologies in the areas of computer vision, computer graphics, visualization, augmented/mixed/virtual reality, and human-computer interaction.
Topics include visual methods in the computational sciences (computer graphics and computer vision) including modeling, image analysis and synthesis, photorealistic rendering, real-time rendering, visualization of large data sets, processing of sensor data as well as the recognition of contained patterns and structures.
Further topics are socio-technical systems, mobile and ubiquitous technologies, people-centered design and evaluation, as well as ethics and responsible research and innovation. Application examples include: biological image analysis, visual surveillance, 3D reconstruction, bioinformatics, content-based multimodal retrieval, smart cities/IoT, assistive technologies, ambient-assisted living, games, healthcare, health and wellbeing, and collaboration. Furthermore, the research focus deals with interaction in these environments, where the emphasis is on designing “technologies for people” and using innovative, multimodal interfaces, which combine computer-based intelligence with cyber-physical settings.
Research topics in this respect include the development of interaction designs (especially for collaborative applications) together with the corresponding evaluation techniques. Central to VC+HCT’s innovative approach to digital technology is the multi-disciplinary combination of technical expertise with creative design and a people oriented perspective.
Research Units
Six of the faculty’s twenty-three research units are primarily focused on topics related to Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology. Visit their pages to learn about current projects, publications, courses, and the people involved.
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Computer Vision
E193-01 / Head: Robert Sablatnig -
Computer Graphics
E193-02 / Head: Eduard Gröller -
Virtual and Augmented Reality
E193-03 / Head: Hannes Kaufmann -
Artifact-based Computing and User Research
E193-04 / Head: Hilda Tellioglu -
Human Computer Interaction
E193-05 / Head: Astrid Weiss -
Visual Analytics
E193-07 / Head: Silvia Miksch
Below is a small selection of recent research activities related to Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology. To learn more, visit the pages of the research units listed above.
Recent Projects
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Visual Analytics and Computer Vision meet Cultural Heritage
2023 – 2027 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF) -
Instant Visualization and Interaction for Large Point Clouds
2023 – 2026 / Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF)
Publication: 189596 -
PropXX Innovationsscheck Conversational Agents
2023 – 2024 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
Circular Twin - A Digital Ecosystem for the Generation and Evaluation of Circular Digital Twins
2022 – 2025 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
Event-based and frame-based binocular visual odometry system
2022 – 2023 / Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) -
Virtual Enhanced Reality for Interoperable Training of CBRN
2022 – 2024 / Altheria Solutions SRL -
ErdProfi Smart 360
2022 – 2023 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
ArtVis: Dynamic Network Perspectives on Digital Art History
2022 – 2025 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Publications: 154302 / 152680 / 153741 / 154456 / 177464 / 187156 -
Caring Robots // Robotic Care
2022 – 2027 / Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Publications: 150320 / 101848 -
Algorithmic governance of care
2021 – 2024 / Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF) -
Multi-User Mixed Reality System for flexible First Responder Training
2021 – 2023 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publication: 189347 -
AI in prison schemas
2021 – 2023 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
MAXimizeMe - XXLMontage für alle
2021 – 2023 / Arbeiterkammer Vienna -
AI Facility Manager
2021 / Siemens AG Österreich -
Simulation of vehicle interiors for the efficient development of driver/occupant monitoring systems
2021 – 2024 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publications: 177471 / 189545 / 188254 / 58791 -
Smart Mobility Hubs as Game Changers in Transport
2021 – 2024 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) -
Multimodal sensors and data sythesis
2021 – 2022 / CogVis Software und Consulting GmbH -
Denoising for Real-Time Ray Tracing
2021 – 2022 / HUAWEI Technologies CO, Ltd. -
Green and Smart Buildings: Solar Irradiation Analysis for Early Design Phases
2021 / King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Visual Computing Center (VCC) Liliana Rivera Center Manager -
Domain-adaptive Remote sensing Image Analysis with Human-in-the-loop
2020 – 2024 / Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Publications: 136164 / 153454 / 148085 / 187702 / 188929 / 190137 / 135846
Recent Publications
- Dear Reviewers: Responses to Common Reviewer Critiques about Infant Neuroimaging Studies / Korom, M., Camacho, M. C., Filippi, C. A., Licandro, R., Moore, L. A., Dufford, A., Zöllei, L., Graham, A. M., Spann, M., Howell, B., Shultz, S., & Scheinost, D. (2022). Dear Reviewers: Responses to Common Reviewer Critiques about Infant Neuroimaging Studies. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 53, 101055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101055
- Evaluating Active and Assisted Living technologies: Critical methodological reflections based on a longitudinal randomized controlled trial / Bieg, T., Gerdenitsch, C., Schwaninger, I., Kern, B. M. J., & Frauenberger, C. (2022). Evaluating Active and Assisted Living technologies: Critical methodological reflections based on a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 133(107249), 107249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107249
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Camera Pose Estimation using Human Head Pose Estimation
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Fischer, R., Hödlmoser, M., & Gelautz, M. (2022). Camera Pose Estimation using Human Head Pose Estimation. In Proceedings of the 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications. 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, Online, International. SCITEPRESS. https://doi.org/10.5220/0010879400003124
Project: SyntheticCabin (2021–2024) - Perspectives of Visualization Onboarding and Guidance in VA / Stoiber, C., Ceneda, D., Wagner, M., Schetinger, V., Gschwandtner, T., Streit, M., Miksch, S., & Aigner, W. (2022). Perspectives of Visualization Onboarding and Guidance in VA. Visual Informatics, 6(1), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visinf.2022.02.005
- Financial and Work Process related Perspectives of Social Robots in Care Settings / Carros, F., Preussner, A., Manavi, M., & Schwaninger, I. (2022). Financial and Work Process related Perspectives of Social Robots in Care Settings. ECSCW 2022 Workshop: Robots In Heterogeneous Contexts. Negotiation Of Co-Creative Lifelong Learning Spaces Through Participatory Approaches, Coimbra, PT, EU. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/87321
- Design Considerations for Novel Self-Adapting Toilets for Semi-Public Spaces / Mayer, P., & Panek, P. (2022). Design Considerations for Novel Self-Adapting Toilets for Semi-Public Spaces. In G. Schreier (Ed.), Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics / IOS press. https://doi.org/10.3233/shti220357
- Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home / Carros, F., Schwaninger, I., Preussner, A., Randall, D., Wieching, R., Fitzpatrick, G., & Wulf, V. (2022). Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home. In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI ’22 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, New Orleans, LA, Non-EU. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517435
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Immersive training of first responder squad leaders in untethered virtual reality
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Mossel, A., Schoenauer, C., Froeschl, M., Peer, A., Goellner, J., & Kaufmann, H. (2021). Immersive training of first responder squad leaders in untethered virtual reality. Virtual Reality, 25(3), 745–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00487-x
Download: PDF (2.4 MB)
Project: VR on-site (2015–2017) -
Gestalt descriptions for deep image understanding
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Hörhan, M., & Eidenberger, H. (2021). Gestalt descriptions for deep image understanding. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 24(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10044-020-00904-6
Download: PDF (3.52 MB) - Understanding Optical Music Recognition / Calvo-Zaragoza, J., Hajič, J. jr., & Pacha, A. (2021). Understanding Optical Music Recognition. ACM Computing Surveys, 53(4), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1145/3397499
- Reconstruction of Optical Coherence Tomography Images Retrieved from Discontinuous Spectral Data using Conditional Generative Adversarial Network / Lichtenegger, A., Salas, M., Sing, A., Duelk, M., Licandro, R., Gesperger, J., Baumann, B., Drexler, W., & Leitgeb, R. A. (2021). Reconstruction of Optical Coherence Tomography Images Retrieved from Discontinuous Spectral Data using Conditional Generative Adversarial Network. Biomedical Optics Express, 12(11), 6780. https://doi.org/10.1364/boe.435124
- SHREC 2021: Retrieval of cultural heritage objects / Sipiran, I., Lazo, P., Lopez, C., Jimenez, M., Bagewadi, N., Bustos, B., Dao, H., Gangisetty, S., Hanik, M., Ho-Thi, N.-P., Holenderski, M., Jarnikov, D., Labrada, A., Lengauer, S., Licandro, R., Nguyen, D.-H., Nguyen-Ho, T.-L., Perez Rey, L. A., Pham, B.-D., & Pham, M.-K. (2021). SHREC 2021: Retrieval of cultural heritage objects. Computers and Graphics, 100, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2021.07.010
- Ten Open Challenges in Medical Visualization / Gillmann, C., Smit, N. N., Gröller, E., Preim, B., Vilanova, A., & Wischgoll, T. (2021). Ten Open Challenges in Medical Visualization. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 41(5), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1109/mcg.2021.3094858
- Guided Visibility Sampling++ / Koch, T., & Wimmer, M. (2021). Guided Visibility Sampling++. In Proceedings of the ACM on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (pp. 1–16). ACM Press. https://doi.org/10.1145/3451266
- The TOR Agent:Optimizing Driver Take-Over with Reinforcement Learning / Kuen, J., Schartmüller, C., & Wintersberger, P. (2021). The TOR Agent:Optimizing Driver Take-Over with Reinforcement Learning. In 13th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications. 13th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications 2021, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3473682.3480262
- Interactive Analysis of CNN Robustness / Sietzen, S., Lechner, M., Borowski, J., Hasani, R., & Waldner, M. (2021). Interactive Analysis of CNN Robustness. Computer Graphics Forum, 40(7), 253–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14418
- MCCNet: Multi-Color Cascade Network with Weight Transfer for Single Image Depth Prediction on Outdoor Relief Images / Frisky, A. Z. K., Putranto, A., Zambanini, S., & Sablatnig, R. (2021). MCCNet: Multi-Color Cascade Network with Weight Transfer for Single Image Depth Prediction on Outdoor Relief Images. In Pattern Recognition. ICPR International Workshops and Challenges (pp. 263–278). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68787-8_19
- Investigation of Single Image Depth Prediction Under Different Lighting Conditions: A Case Study of Ancient Roman Coins / Frisky, A. Z. K., Harjoko, A., Awaludin, L., Zambanini, S., & Sablatnig, R. (2021). Investigation of Single Image Depth Prediction Under Different Lighting Conditions: A Case Study of Ancient Roman Coins. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 14(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3465742
- Registered Relief Depth (RRD) borobudur dataset for single-frame depth prediction on one-side artifacts / Frisky, A. Z. K., Harjoko, A., Awaludin, L., Dharmawan, A., Augoestien, N. G., Candradewi, I., Hujja, R. M., Putranto, A., Hartono, T., Suhartono, Y., Zambanini, S., & Sablatnig, R. (2021). Registered Relief Depth (RRD) borobudur dataset for single-frame depth prediction on one-side artifacts. Data in Brief, 35(106853), 106853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106853
- Unaccompanied Migrant Youth and Mental Health Technologies: A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding and Designing / Tachtler, F., Talhouk, R., Michel, T., Slovak, P., & Fitzpatrick, G. (2021). Unaccompanied Migrant Youth and Mental Health Technologies: A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding and Designing. In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ACM Digital Library. https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445470
Recent Theses
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Test data for dependable computer vision applications
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Zendel, O. (2023). Test data for dependable computer vision applications [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.116751
Download: PDF (6.1 MB) -
Stereoscopic visualiation of real-time intraoperative 4D-miOCT in opthalmology
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Kapeller, F. (2023). Stereoscopic visualiation of real-time intraoperative 4D-miOCT in opthalmology [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.103220
Download: PDF (10.4 MB) -
A holistic approach for metabolic pathway visualization
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Mistelbauer, S. (2023). A holistic approach for metabolic pathway visualization [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.86461
Download: PDF (4.28 MB) -
Digital research diary
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Peneder, M. (2023). Digital research diary [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.111102
Download: PDF (2.39 MB) -
Die Funktion von Spielregeln in Computerspielen am Beispiel von virtuellen Welten
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Eghdamian, A. (2023). Die Funktion von Spielregeln in Computerspielen am Beispiel von virtuellen Welten [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.81082
Download: PDF (4.18 MB) -
Classification of tumor cells in childhood cancer using automated microscopy and deep learning
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Temme, J. (2023). Classification of tumor cells in childhood cancer using automated microscopy and deep learning [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.93784
Download: PDF (2.92 MB) -
Quantitative evaluation of reading times and error rates when interpreting visual content
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Tuscher, M. (2023). Quantitative evaluation of reading times and error rates when interpreting visual content [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.95045
Download: PDF (4.6 MB) -
Employing social robots in a privacy sensitive context: A case study on an open-source diary assistant
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Sabie, A.-C. (2023). Employing social robots in a privacy sensitive context: A case study on an open-source diary assistant [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.108026
Downloads: PDF (1.04 MB) / ZIP (7.59 KB) / ZIP (597 KB) -
Cognitive load of pervasive technology: How can it be determined?
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Wedral, A. (2023). Cognitive load of pervasive technology: How can it be determined? [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.107253
Download: PDF (1.61 MB) -
Informing users of corrections and alterations in online news while safeguarding privacy
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Hametner, M. (2023). Informing users of corrections and alterations in online news while safeguarding privacy [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.110742
Download: PDF (1.81 MB) -
Behavior change techniques and persuasive technology to support the self-care management with mHealth for people with multiple sclerosis
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Tüner, Ö. (2023). Behavior change techniques and persuasive technology to support the self-care management with mHealth for people with multiple sclerosis [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.103424
Download: PDF (3.28 MB) -
Accessibility of web-based data visualizations for people who are blind or visually impaired
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Meyer, A.-V. (2023). Accessibility of web-based data visualizations for people who are blind or visually impaired [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.104425
Download: PDF (1.51 MB) -
Real-time avalanche risk visualization on a large-scale geospatial dataset
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Eschner, J. (2023). Real-time avalanche risk visualization on a large-scale geospatial dataset [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.102961
Download: PDF (4.53 MB) -
Sketch based L-systems for tree modeling in virtual reality
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Steiner, M. (2023). Sketch based L-systems for tree modeling in virtual reality [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.94903
Download: PDF (2.25 MB) -
Self-explaining transformers for cell population detection in flow cytometry data
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Kowarsch, F. (2023). Self-explaining transformers for cell population detection in flow cytometry data [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.102742
Download: PDF (3.51 MB) -
Visual analytics to support correlative exploration and sensemaking in radiogenomics analysis
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El-Sherbiny, S. (2023). Visual analytics to support correlative exploration and sensemaking in radiogenomics analysis [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.102442
Download: PDF (5.31 MB) -
What do wind farms look like? Visualizing global wind farms
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Haller, M. (2023). What do wind farms look like? Visualizing global wind farms [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.102920
Download: PDF (3.65 MB) -
Learning navigation priors based on adaptive data aggregation
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Widhalm, V. (2023). Learning navigation priors based on adaptive data aggregation [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.70301
Download: PDF (4.68 MB) -
On the need of new roles: Using design fictions to develop novel use cases for care robots
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Brunnmayr, K. (2023). On the need of new roles: Using design fictions to develop novel use cases for care robots [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.108880
Download: PDF (2.99 MB) -
Reactions to and interactions with a non-verbal robot A case study on people’s interpretation of and perception of interacting with a non-humanoid and non-verbal robot
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Munteanu-Calen, A. (2023). Reactions to and interactions with a non-verbal robot A case study on people’s interpretation of and perception of interacting with a non-humanoid and non-verbal robot [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2023.107249
Download: PDF (2.93 MB)
Recent Awards
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Katta Spiel:
Best Poster Award
2023 / CSCW 2023 / USA -
Michael Wimmer:
Outstanding Technical Contributions Award
2023 / Eurographics / Germany / Website -
Margrit Gelautz:
Best Poster Nominee at HAI 2022 - "The effect of exaggerated nonverbal cues on the perception of the robot Pepper", S. Fischer, D. Stoeva, and M. Gelautz
2022 / International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (HAI) 2022 / New Zealand / Project -
Katta Spiel:
Pride Biz Award 2022
2022 / Pride Biz / Austria -
Peter Purgathofer:
Best Lecture Award, Sonderpreis Digitale Lehre
2022 -
Katta Spiel:
Förderungspreis der Stadt Wien in der Sparte Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaft, Technik
2022 / Stadt Wien / Austria -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Award
2022 / Mensch und Computer 2022 / Germany -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Honourable Mention Award
2022 / Mensch und Computer 2022 / Germany -
Michael Wimmer:
Wolfgang Straßer Award (Best Paper)
2022 / ACM/Eurographics / USA / Website -
Renata Georgia Raidou:
EuroVis Young Researcher Award
2022 / EuroGraphics European Association for Computer Graphics / Italy -
Geraldine Fitzpatrick:
SIGCHI Lifetime Service Award
2022 / ACM / USA / Website -
Margrit Gelautz:
Shortlisted for VISAPP 2022 Best Student Paper Award (4 shortlisted papers out of 154 registered student papers) - "Camera pose estimation using human head pose estimation", R. Fischer, M. Hödlmoser, and M. Gelautz
2022 / International Conference on Computer Vision Theory and Applications (VISAPP) 2022 / Portugal / Project -
Peter Purgathofer:
Anerkennungspreis beim »Ars Docendi«, Staatspreis für gute Lehre
2021 / Austria / Website -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper 2020
2021 / International Journal of Human-Computer Studies / USA -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Award & Diversity and Inclusion Award
2021 / SIGCHI Designing Interactive Systems / USA -
Katta Spiel:
Best Pictorial Award
2021 / SIGCHI Creativity & Cognition / USA -
Katta Spiel:
Diversity and Inclusion Award
2021 / SIGCHI Conference on Tangible Embodied and Embedded Interaction / USA -
Geraldine Fitzpatrick:
IFIP Fellow Award
2020 / IFIP Fellow / Austria / Website -
Katta Spiel:
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award
2020 / Mensch und Computer / Germany -
Katta Spiel:
Exceptional Norms
2020 / Firnberg-Programm / Austria