Interactive Systems Research Group

The Interactive Systems Group at the University of Duisburg-Essen conducts research in the areas of human-computer interaction (HCI) and interactive technologies with the aim of creating highly usable, enjoyable and smart forms of interacting with digital media and products. The group follows an interdisciplinary approach in close cooperation with academic and industrial partners and is directed by Professor Jürgen Ziegler who holds the Chair for Interactive Systems and Interaction Design at the Department of Computer Science and Applied Cognitive Science.

Our research is mainly focused on the user interaction with systems that apply intelligent techniques, especially recommender and decision support systems, assistive and persuasive systems, as well as personalized user interfaces. The principal concern of our work is to make intelligent technologies more transparent, self-explanatory and user-controllable. We apply the methods and techniques developed in a wide range of application domains, including electronic business, social media, serious games, health and well-being, smart environments and automotive applications. The Interactive Systems Group also participates in the DFG Research Training Group “User-Centred Social Media”. Furthermore, we are strongly involved in the university’s educational programs in Applied Computer Science as well as Applied Cognitive and Media Science, offering courses in introductory and advanced HCI, recommender systems, electronic business, and general computer science subjects.