Prof. Dr. Stefan Geisler

Applied Computer Science / Human–Computer Interaction

Prof. Dr. Stefan Geisler has been a faculty member at Hochschule Ruhr West since the winter semester 2010. He holds the professorship in Applied Computer Science / Human–Computer Interaction and serves as the Programme Director for Human–Technology Interaction. Since 2016, he has led the Positive Computing Research Institute, is a member of the associated research focus, and also participates in the Intelligent Mobility Research Focus. Within the Doctoral College of North Rhine-Westphalia, he is Director of the Department of Media and Interaction.

In his teaching and research, he focuses on how computer systems, mobile devices, and electronic in-vehicle systems, among others, can be developed to be intuitive, easily understood, and user-friendly for end users. His work spans the entire Usability Engineering process—from idea generation, prototype development, and user testing to implementation. Of particular interest are the development of new interaction methods and how these can contribute to intuitive operation and a positive user experience, as well as ways to involve future users in the development process and optimise interfaces to meet their needs and expectations. A key application area is the automotive sector, specifically the development of new interaction methods and their impact on driving quality and concepts for highly automated vehicles. This work also addresses trust and controllability of new automotive technologies by all road users, using methods such as user onboarding and continuous, tailored visualisation of relevant information.

Prof. Geisler has been involved in numerous research projects, both past and current, including:

• Golden Rules in Automotive HMI for an automobile manufacturer
• Usability of Assistive and Information Systems in Domestic Environments (UsAHome, FH Struktur)
• Natural User Interfaces on Multi-Touch Tables, including a communication system promoting dialogue between authorities and citizens via an innovation voucher
• User Interfaces for Safety-Critical Applications (BMBF Project AHA)
• Accessible Interaction Concepts

Within Positive Computing (FH Competence), he supervises doctoral work on intercultural and cross-generational innovation development. Within the Intelligent Mobility Research Focus and the CAMO Network, he supervises doctoral research on natural user interfaces in (semi-)automated vehicles. In the BMBF-funded PARCURA Project, he investigates the human-centred introduction of smart glasses in hospital care.