On July 4th, 2024, the first ACM SIGCHI Austria Meeting convened at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Campus Hagenberg. The event gathered researchers and professionals in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to share research, discuss community needs, and plan for the future. Representatives from the doc.hci-Project, including Jan-Hendrik Sünderkamp, Nathalia Campreguer Franca, Markus Tatzgern, and Alexander Meschtscherjakov, were present.
Key Activities
The meeting commenced with registration and coffee at 09:30, followed by an insightful keynote and discussion session at 10:00. Sarah Theres Völkel from Google Munich delivered the keynote, touching on topics such as data privacy, age-appropriate content, and HCI in the corporate environment. This session set the tone for the day, providing thought-provoking insights and sparking lively discussions among attendees.
The program featured paper presentations in the morning and afternoon, highlighting recent research from ACM-hosted or ACM-sponsored HCI conferences. Notable presentations included:
- Markus Tatzgern: “AirRes Mask: A Precise and Robust Virtual Reality Breathing Interface Utilizing Breathing Resistance as Output Modality”
- Nathalia Campreguer França: “Towards Lenses for Reviewing Playfulness in HCI”
A coffee break took place from 14:30 to 15:00, providing an opportunity for further discussion and networking.
Working Group Discussions and Townhall Meeting
At 15:00, participants engaged in SIGCHI Austria Working Group Discussions, focusing on identifying the major needs and goals of the HCI community in Austria. This session was inclusive of all participants, encouraging collaborative dialogue. The event concluded with the presentation of group discussion results and a townhall meeting from 16:15 to 17:00, summarizing the key points and outlining future steps for the community.
Conclusion
The ACM SIGCHI Austria Meeting successfully fostered knowledge exchange and community building. The organizers, Philipp Wintersberger, Alexander Meschtscherjakov, and Pascal Knierim, expressed their appreciation to all participants and look forward to future events aimed at advancing the HCI field in Austria.