International prize: Siegen computer scientist is the first German to be honored
Prof. Dr. Volker Wulf from the University of Siegen is the first German scientist to receive the "Societal Impact Award" from the US research association ACM SIGCHI (Association for Computing Machinery). This is one of the world's most important awards in the field of human-computer interaction. The award has a history of more than 20 years and has now been presented to him at the world's largest HCI congress in Barcelona.
ACM SIGCHI is the world's largest association of experts in the field of human-computer interaction. The award recognizes Wulf's work as a socio-computer scientist and his ability to consistently combine technology development with social issues and to put participation, inclusion and social innovation into practice.
"This award is a strong recognition - for Volker Wulf personally and for the University of Siegen as a research location. The fact that he is the first German ever to receive the Societal Impact Award clearly demonstrates the international standing of our HCI research," says University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese.
"For me, this award is confirmation that it is worthwhile to consistently think about computer science from a human perspective," says Prof. Wulf. "Technology only unfolds its value where it solves real social problems - that is the core of our work in Siegen, and I am very pleased that the international professional community recognizes this in this way."
The prize honors researchers whose work creates real added value for society. This is precisely where the research field of socio-informatics at the University of Siegen comes in, in which computer science and people are thought together. One concrete example is Siegen's research into technology in an ageing society: how can technologies help to improve and relieve the care situation in rural regions such as South Westphalia? The researchers are focusing specifically on the actual target groups - older people as well as care workers - and incorporating their needs into their work.
Volker Wulf's professorship also cooperates closely with the regional economy in order to develop solutions for the future of rural industrialized areas, for example in the "FUSION" project. In addition, he regularly addresses the question of how disadvantaged population groups in crisis areas such as the Gaza Strip can communicate. In total, Prof. Wulf has published more than 500 scientific articles in books and journals.
Background
Prof. Dr. Volker Wulf is Prorector for Science, Technology and Society at the University of Siegen and holds the Chair of Business Information Systems and New Media. He was accepted into the CHI Academy eight years ago - at the time as the fourth German. With the Societal Impact Award, he is also strengthening the position of the University of Siegen, which is one of the six leading research institutions in Germany in the international computer science ranking in the field of human-computer interaction and is also one of the top addresses in Europe.
