Michael Bonfert

• Human-computer interaction for virtual reality and XR
• Haptic interfaces and the simulation of physical properties
• Realism and aspects of interaction fidelity
• Object manipulation
• Embodiment
• Social VR
• Social aspects in voice interactions with digital assistants

After studying Media and Communication B.A. with a focus on social sciences in Augsburg, I came to the University of Bremen in 2015 for the English master's program Digital Media M.Sc. in cooperation with the University of the Arts Bremen. This joint program combines the two diverse areas of computer science and media design by connecting international teams in interdisciplinary projects. Here, I had the chance to pursue my passion for designing interactions between humans and computers. I explored the novel opportunities and challenges that virtual environments present with immersive 3D space. I'm intrigued by creating helpful ways for users to experience these worlds and act freely in them without the impression of "operating a system."

Therefore, I joined the Digital Media Lab in 2018 for pursuing my PhD on interactions in virtual reality (VR). My focus is on interaction fidelity, haptic interfaces, object manipulation, and embodiment following a user-centered approach. As member of the graduate college Empowering Digital Media, I held a scholarship by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. Now, I'm employed as researcher at Digital Media Lab for the project hyBit – Hydrogen for Bremen's Industrial Transformation and its Virtual Transformation Lab.

Please, find my full CV with all details about my internships, the student project CampusApp Uni Augsburg that I initiated, my volunteer work at the Mensa Kids & Juniors Camps, as well as awards on LinkedIn.

Projects:

• hyBit – Hydrogen for Bremen's Industrial Transformation

Latest publications:

• Best Poster Award at ACM VRST'17 for Augmented Invaders
• Bronze Nail at the ADC Junior Awards 2017 for Hell No Barbie
• Highest grade of 1.0 for my master's degree in Digital Media M.Sc.
• University Prize for Interdisciplinary Cooperation 2017 by the University of the Arts and University of Bremen
• Special Award for Student Commitment by the University of Augsburg for the CampusApp