Siegen as a top location for Human-Computer-Interaction Research
Siegen researchers explore how people use technology and how that technology can be designed not merely to function but to genuinely help. Their work extends well beyond the computer screen. “We develop methods and principles that ensure new technologies are not only accepted; they also have a lasting positive impact on individuals, society, our well being and the environment—including plants and animals,” explains Professor Marc Hassenzahl, Professor of Ubiquitous Design at the University of Siegen.
Scientific community meets in Siegen and Japan
One sign of Siegen’s standing in HCI is the German Pre CHI Conference, held on 2–3 April in Siegen. The event brings together leading German language HCI researchers to present and discuss their work ahead of the flagship global HCI conference, the ACM CHI, which takes place each May in Yokohama, Japan. “Hosting this conference demonstrates the respect our work enjoys,” says Professor Volker Wulf, Professor of Business Information Systems at the University of Siegen and a driving force in the local HCI community. He co chairs the event alongside another Siegen HCI professor. This year’s Pre CHI received 36 submissions—five from Siegen—and is expected to attract about 100 participants from across the German speaking world.
Research with true meaning in everyday life
Research topics at the University of Siegen span virtual reality, social robotics and artificial intelligence, always keeping human needs in focus and exploring how new technologies can enrich daily life. One project investigates how technology can support emotional closeness at a distance—particularly for older adults or families living apart. Another examines how digital tools can increase autonomy for people with health limitations. There is also a large scale project exploring the positive roles robots can play in group dynamics.
Many HCI projects are conducted with industry partners such as Siemens and Sanofi, enabling rapid transfer of solutions into everyday use. The Siegen team also collaborates with open source and grassroots initiatives; one study explored how Germany’s food sharing community can better coordinate with the open source developers who maintain its distribution platform. Several projects are funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The group’s perspective is global as well: a recent article provided long term insights into how computer clubs improved life in a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank.
World class international research — at home in Siegen
Two Siegen professors—Volker Wulf and Marc Hassenzahl—are members of the SIGCHI Academy, the most prestigious circle of HCI scholars worldwide. The University of Siegen contributes regularly to leading international conferences and journals. “We are especially respected for our critical blend of psychological and sociological foundations with technical design,” notes Professor Hassenzahl. Professor Wulf adds that the program is rooted locally and addresses the design and transformation needs of rural industrialized regions.
Eight professors and numerous early career researchers currently work on HCI topics in Siegen. The Master’s program in Human Computer Interaction—the first of its kind in Germany—is taught entirely in English to attract international talent. It presently enrolls 145 students, many of whom go on to join research projects or pursue doctorates at the University of Siegen.
