Marios Mouratidis, M.Sc.

Business Information Systems / It for the Ageing Society - Research Assistant

Contact

marios.mouratidis@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-4535

Office address

F-IS 109

Level 1

Sandstraße 26

57076

Siegen

Vita

Marios Mouratidis studied Literary, Cultural, and Media Studies with a minor in Language and Communication (B.A.) and Human-Computer Interaction (M.Sc.) at the University of Siegen. Since early 2020, he has been a research assistant at the Chair of CSCW and Social Media within the Center for Smart Production Design, which is funded by the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
His research interests lie in the areas of participation, maker methodologies, digital fabrication, innovation, and come_IN Computer Clubs, including those in Palestine. He employs qualitative research methods.
During his studies, he contributed to a wide variety of research projects at the Chairs of Business Information Systems and New Media and CSCW and Social Media as a student research assistant.
Starting in 2016, he focused his work on field research in Palestine and coordinated the DAAD-funded project YALLAH! You All Are Hackers, where he mentored students in small research projects centered on social innovation and taught qualitative research methods for empirically based design. Since then, he has coordinated the research projects of the Chair of Business Information Systems and New Media in Palestine and has also worked on the BMBF-funded project PiHub and the EU-funded project Fostering Entrepreneurship in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (FESTEM). In his master’s thesis, “(Un-)Sustainable ICT Interventions in Occupied Palestine,” he authored a case study in which he summarized nine years of research data on come_IN computer clubs in Palestine and examined factors contributing to sustainable ICT-centered communities. Before and during his studies, he worked as a freelancer in the fields of media design (web, print, mobile) and game design.

Projects

Skilled Workers. Training. Future, Apr. 2024 – present, Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs & European Union (ESF Plus)
ATLAS – Automotive Transformation Platform South Westphalia, 2022 – present, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
EDIH – European Digital Innovation Hub South Westphalia, 2022 – present, Digital Europe of the European Union & Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia
3D Smartbox, Jan. 2024 – Nov. 2026, Erasmus+ Program of the European Union
SME Digital Center for Rural Regions, Nov. 2022 – Oct. 2025, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
EnvironMINT, Sep. 2022 – Aug. 2025, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Digitalum Unterwegs, Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2024, [add funding source]
FAB:MAKE, Dec. 2021 – 2023, European Union (REACT-EU)
Sharing my Learning, 2021–2023, Erasmus+ Program of the European Union
Center for Smart Production Design Siegen (SmaPS), Jan. 2018 – 2021, ERDF funding from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Fostering Entrepreneurship in STEM (FESTEM), Aug. 2017 – 2020, Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education
Palestinian Innovation Hub (PiHub), Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2018, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
YALLAH – You All Are Hackers, 2017–2018, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Publications

[1] Frohn-Sörensen, Peter; Sermelwall, Mirweiß; Mouratidis, Marios; Engel, Bernd; Reinicke, Tamara; Khosravani, Mohammad Reza (2026)
Circular Use of Polylactide (PLA) in Additive Manufacturing: Real-Waste Recycling Process Chain and Mechanical Property Window
In: Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances, Volume: 30, p. 200330, DOI: 10.1016/j.rcradv.2026.200330
Keywords: Additive manufacturing; Circular economy; Fused filament fabrication; Polylactide; Recycling; Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract Links

The proliferation of plastics across diverse product sectors has underscored the urgent need for sustainable waste management, as conventional plastics persist in the environment for decades. Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, now widely adopted in both industry and private use, contribute significantly to decentralized plastic waste streams, primarily through prototyping and the accumulation of residual material. Despite recent efforts, most studies on recycling AM-derived polylactide (PLA) waste focus on clean, laboratory-origin scrap, single reprocessing cycles, or do not explicitly present a feasible recycling machinery concept. This study presents an end-to-end mechanical recycling process that uses practical machinery to convert diverse, multi-sourced PLA waste from industrial and community AM activities into new filament. Mechanical properties are systematically evaluated through designed experiments, examining the influence of the number of reprocessing cycles and the mixing ratios of recycled and virgin PLA. The results demonstrate moderate but manageable reductions in strength and stiffness as the number of reprocessing cycles increases, supporting the technical feasibility of using recycled PLA in fused deposition modeling processes. The methodology proposes a realistic pathway for decentralized recycling, helping to close material loops and promote circular economy principles in the context of AM. Broadly speaking, these insights contribute to more sustainable manufacturing strategies by reducing reliance on primary resources and supporting the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

[2] Uhing, Sophie; Smolarczyk, Kathrin; Mouratidis, Marios; Kröner, Stephan (2026)
Beliefs Related to Recreational Making Among Adolescents: Developing a Comprehensive Belief Category System
In: Education and Information Technologies, DOI: 10.1007/s10639-026-13969-3
Keywords: Gender; Elicitation study; Low SES; Making activities; Theory of planned behavior
Abstract Links

Making activities, such as creating individual artifacts via 3D printing, offer great potential for adolescents to acquire skills beneficial for their digital empowerment. To develop interventions that may increase adolescents’ engagement in making, their making-related beliefs need to be explored and systematized. Therefore, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991), this interview study elicited beliefs regarding recreational making from N = 29 adolescents. The sample included both female adolescents and those from low socioeconomic status backgrounds to ensure that beliefs specific to these groups were not overlooked. The key research output is a category system that aligns with the TPB and identifies salient beliefs that are important for recreational making. The discussion focuses on how this category system can be applied in future studies to create qualitative interview guidelines and quantitative questionnaires regarding making-related beliefs. The study also discusses how this category system can inform the development of tailored interventions and educational programs that resonate with adolescents’ beliefs.

[3] Mouratidis, Marios; Rosa Cardoso, Clara; Engelbutzeder, Philip; Tolmie, Peter; Aal, Konstantin Kosta; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Designing for Resilience: Fostering Ponds of Stability with Computer Clubs in Palestine
In: Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–18, DOI: 10.1145/3706598.3713253
Abstract Links

Addressing the complexities of conflict-affected regions remains a critical challenge for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). This paper examines the establishment of computer clubs in Palestinian refugee camps, where efforts to create sustainable interventions were weighed against the instability of prolonged conflict. To capture this dynamic, we introduce the concept of “adaptive ponds of stability,” which extends the “tech public of erosion” framework [12]. While the latter emphasizes the systemic depletion of socio-technical infrastructures, adaptive ponds of stability highlight efforts to foster temporary spaces of resilience. The clubs became hubs for learning, respite, and collaboration—offering moments of routine and empowerment amidst disruption. Reflecting on this, we advocate for a paradigm shift from sustainability to resilience as the primary design goal in unstable contexts. Our findings emphasize adaptability, local agency, and cultural sensitivity that respond dynamically to context-specific challenges, offering a nuanced approach to advancing HCI interventions in conflict-affected settings.

[4] Hochhaus, Jacob; Gerbracht, Marc; Mouratidis, Marios; Basoeki, Gloria; Rutz, Pilipp; Wulf, Volker (2025)
From Transformation to Co-Determination: Lessons Learned from a Unionized Makerspace
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025)
Links

[5] Basoeki, Gloria; Mouratidis, Marios; Mueller, Claudia (2025)
Menstrual Mindsnacks - Exploring the Social Implications of a Talking Tampon Dispenser
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1018
Abstract Links

This study explores the stigma associated with menstruation and examines methods to improve menstrual hygiene and health awareness, as well as to promote normalization through a socio-technical system. Approximately half of the world’s population requires menstrual hygiene products. Although soap and paper towel dispensers are now considered standard equipment in public restrooms all over the world, this is not the case for menstrual products such as tampons and pads. Moreover, the stigma surrounding menstruation is most prevalent during adolescence and stems from feelings of shame, disgust, and the fear of not being taken seriously. This can often be traced back to experiences of reactions from authority figures and male acquaintances in the participants’ lives and often subsides with adulthood. These emotions are reinforced by a lack of open discussion on the topic, ultimately leading to a societal taboo. Using a design case study approach, a talking tampon and pad dispenser was co-designed with affected individuals and evaluated in a public restroom. The prototype provides users with educational content via audio playback whenever it is touched, delivering useful information about the duration, effects, and management of menstruation. Because the prototype is located in a public restroom, the interaction also creates opportunities for social exchange. Preliminary user feedback on the prototype suggests that it has the potential to foster discussion and improve awareness of menstrual health. By promoting communication and providing accessible information, this dispenser can significantly influence societal attitudes toward menstruation, especially among more vulnerable groups.

[6] Smolarczyk, Kathrin; Mouratidis, Marios; Uhing, Sophie; Becker, Rolf; Kröner, Stephan (2024)
Let’s Get Them on Board: Focus Group Discussions with Adolescents on Empowering Leisure Engagement in Fab Labs and Makerspaces
In: Int. J. Child-Comp. Interact., Volume: 41 No.: C, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100669
Links

[7] Schreiber, Florian; Frohn-Sörensen, Peter; Mouratidis, Marios; Engel, Bernd; Manns, Martin (2023)
Case Study on the Additive Manufacturability of Printed Soft-Robotic Bending Actuators
In: Procedia CIRP, Volume: 120, pp. 720–725, DOI: 10.1016/j.procir.2023.09.065
Keywords: fablab; additive manufacturing; manufacturing flexibility; pneunets; production automation; soft robotics
Abstract Links

[8] Frohn-Sörensen, Peter; Mouratidis, Marios; Engel, Bernd (2023)
Design of non-assembly joints incorporating randomness generated through a publicly accessible 3D printing farm
In: Procedia CIRP, Volume: 120, pp. 129–134, DOI: 10.1016/j.procir.2023.08.024
Keywords: fablab; additive manufacturing; FFF; hinge joint; non-assembly; PLA
Abstract Links

Traditionally, technical hinge joints consist of multiple parts that must be assembled. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the possibility of eliminating these assembly steps, as movable mechanisms can be manufactured through a streamlined production process. The feasibility of such so-called “print-in-place” approaches has been demonstrated, and specific design recommendations are available within the additive manufacturing community. However, a generalized assessment of the influencing parameters is lacking because the layout of a joint’s gap depends heavily on the AM boundary conditions. This study examines the manufacturing of simple hinge joints using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method on commercially available 3D printers. To generate representative variation, the manufacturing jobs for the specimens are placed on a 3D print farm in a university fab lab. The machines are operated and maintained by a public community, which also uses different material suppliers in a randomized manner. A series of print-in-place joints is printed with statistically significant repetitions while varying the hinge joint gap, print orientation, and AM layer height. After manufacturing, the joints are tested to provide statistical information on the force required for motion. The results indicate that as the gap width decreases, the forces required to initially release and move the joints begin to increase until the bushing and hinge axis fuse completely. If the hinge axis is aligned with the Z-axis of the 3D printing process, tighter critical clearances can be manufactured than when the hinge is aligned in the XY-plane of the 3D printer. Furthermore, reduced variation in the results is observed along the Z-axis. Regarding layer height, it is observed that layer heights of 0.1 mm may lead to increased release forces, while the largest tested layer height of 0.3 mm resulted in increased forces during the hinges’ motion.

[9] Mouratidis, Marios; Rüller, Sarah; Aal, Konstantin; Lazem, Shaimaa; Peters, Anicia; Boulus-Rødje, Nina; Holdermann, Simon; Vlachokyriakos, Vasilis; Light, Ann; Randall, Dave; Wulf, Volker (2021)
Coping with Messiness in Ethnography: Authority, Bias, and Immersion in Ethnographic Fieldwork in the Non-Western World
In: Extended Abstracts of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–5, DOI: 10.1145/3411763.3441328
Abstract Links

Ethnography has firmly established its place in the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) community. Many studies have benefited from using ethnographic approaches to gain a grounded and comprehensive understanding of their respective research contexts. Applying this to the non-Western world, however, presents challenges for researchers. Aside from ethical concerns that have been addressed in the past, we aim to use this workshop to foster conversations and discussions about authority, bias, and immersion when conducting ethnographic fieldwork in the non-Western world—especially as a Western researcher. The main objective of this workshop is to exchange experiences, identify common challenges and ways to overcome, cope with, or even embrace the complexities of ethnographic work, and derive guidelines based on these discussions.

[10] Rüller, Sarah; Aal, Konstantin; Mouratidis, Marios; Wulf, Volker (2020)
Messy Fieldwork: A Natural Necessity or a Result of Western Origins and Perspectives?
In: Companion Publication of the 2020 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, pp. 185–190, DOI: 10.1145/3393914.3395864
Keywords: ethnography; participation; ethics; fieldwork; Global South; methods; non-Western; Western
Abstract Links

With this Provocation, we aim to initiate a dialogue among researchers who struggle with applying qualitative and ethnographic methods and following established approaches in non-Western settings. Following the textbook may not be an option when conducting research in politically charged or unstable regions. Local politics, social pressure, and even people’s personal safety are factors that must be taken into account. Based on our experience conducting fieldwork in Morocco, Palestine, and Botswana, we reflect on the difficulties we encountered. We argue that a certain degree of complexity is, to some extent, an inherent part of immersive fieldwork. On the other hand, in order to find “clean” ways of conducting ethnographic fieldwork in non-Western contexts, novel forms of (applying) methods are needed. By posing questions regarding three different aspects—applying methods on the ground, ethics, and participation—we encourage researchers to reflect on their own experiences.

[11] Rueller, Sarah; Aal, Konstantin; Mouratidis, Marios; Randall, Dave; Wulf, Volker; Boulus-Rødje, Nina; Semaan, Bryan (2020)
(Coping with) Messiness in Ethnography – Methods, Ethics, and Participation in Ethnographic Fieldwork in the Non-Western World
In: CHI EA '21: Extended Abstracts of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–5, DOI: 10.1145/3411763.3441328
Abstract Links

There are several frameworks and approaches that address how to conduct ethnographic and qualitative fieldwork in various settings. However, following the rules to the letter may not be an option when conducting research in politically charged, unstable, or simply non-Western regions. Politics, social pressure, and even personal safety may need to be taken into account. Another important area to consider is research ethics. Privacy policies may fulfill their purpose with regard to existing laws—which vary from country to country—and should ensure no harm to any of the parties involved, but how can this be guaranteed, and do such policies also cover all aspects of ethics? Including stakeholders as a foundation for user-centered work and design is common practice. But what does participation mean in such contexts? The questions are: What is important to consider when conducting ethnographic fieldwork in such settings? How can we foster different degrees of genuine participation? How can we ensure that the work we do is ethically sound without jeopardizing the research findings? In this workshop, we invite researchers and practitioners to rethink existing methods and approaches and begin developing guidelines that better serve the needs of these specific and, to some extent, critical circumstances.

[12] Mouratidis, Marios; Khatib, Renad (2019)
Why Ethnography Matters—The Case of a Palestinian Refugee Camp
In: With an Eye to the Future: HCI Research and Practice in the Arab World - Extended Abstracts of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 25–29, DOI: 10.1145/3290607.3299006
Links

[13] Weibert, Anne; Mouratidis, Marios; Khateb, Renad; Rüller, Sarah; Hosak, Miriam; Potka, Shpresa; Aal, Konstantin; Wulf, Volker (2017)
Creating Environmental Awareness through Upcycling Activities: A Study of Children in Germany and Palestine
In: Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 286–291, DOI: 10.1145/3078072.3079732
Keywords: yallah; children; computer club; learning; environment; intercultural; making; upcycling
Links

[14] Aal, Konstantin; Mouratidis, Marios; Weibert, Anne; Wulf, Volker (2016)
Challenges of CI Initiatives in a Politically Unstable Situation—Case Study of a Computer Club in a Refugee Camp
DOI: 10.1145/2957276.2996281
Keywords: Come_In; yallah; community informatics; computer club; refugee camp; West Bank
Abstract Links