Over the years I have had the pleasure to supervise a number of student projects. It is very rewarding to see groups of students funnel their creativity into long-term tasks with tangible results. Below you can find further information on some of these student projects.
I have been fortunate to be able to supervise some very interesting and successful student theses. Most of them are closely related to research projects I was involved in at the time of their creation, and all of them have made concrete and useful contributions.
If you are reading this out of potential interest in a thesis supervision agreement, let me use this opportunity to go over a general list of things I expect from the students I supervise as well as a list of guarantees I am willing to provide in exchange.
Awareness of formal requirements – Official requirements for your thesis, such as how many printed copies you need to submit (and when/where), how exactly the title page needs to be formatted etc., will differ depending on your degree programme and the year you started your studies. I am unable to offer firm advice on these matters and I recommend that you read the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) governing your studies to clear up any uncertainties. Based on general experience, it is time well spent.
Time management – A big part of a successful thesis project is managing your time well. Your studies up to this point will have prepared you for this, and it will be up to you to make sure you consistently put time towards your thesis. If you struggle with procrastination or feel overloaded with external time sinks, I am available to talk about strategies and resources that are available to you, but it is your task to recognize and voice these issues before they become insurmountable.
Honest communication – One of the more common mistakes I see students make is to hide problems they encounter and to pretend that they have progressed further than they actually have out of a misguided desire to “impress” their advisor. Keep in mind that your grade will be based only on the written thesis and your final presentation, not on the process leading up to it. I think of us as being on the same team when it comes to your thesis project, I really want you to succeed, and I recommend that you be transparent with me so I can give any help that I am able to. Remember that this is (by design!) a learning process for you.
In general: You are your own advocate – I provide guidance and expertise as needed, but you make all the final plans, schedules, and decisions. The process of writing a final thesis measures your ability to see a project through to the end just as much as your computer science knowledge, and its outcome is ultimately your responsibility. I will not “babysit” you through the process.
I commit to provide the following:
Help finding a mutually agreed thesis topic that is connected to a genuine open research question
Availability for regular status exchanges, as needed for your work rhythm – up to once per week maximum
Advice on questions related to your thesis topic and the research landscape that surrounds it
Advice on “soft skills” such as writing, literature research, document management, etc.
Feedback on interim results (written or conceptual)
Guaranteed e-mail responses to your questions within at most two work days (excluding illess or vacation)
Publication of your thesis on this website, assuming you give permission
Opportunities to transform your thesis result into a published research paper, provided the quality of your results is high and this is something you would like to pursue
If that sounds good to you and you’d like to write your thesis about a topic you think I might be interested in, don’t hesitate to get in touch! I am available for thesis supervision in German or English.
Integration of a Physics Engine to Improve the Usability of a Semi-public Wall Display
Gerrit Grauwinkel, June 2023
Gerrit Grauwinkel
Master thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, June 2023
In this thesis, a 2D physics engine is incorporated into the existing CommunityMirror software for the operation of information wall screens. The goal is to investigate to what extent a more physically realistic behavior of the information objects can contribute to the usability of the system. To this end, several interactions are enhanced with physical behavior, and the new version of the software is evaluated based on interaction log data for a limited period of time to see if the changes contribute to an increase in usage.
Evaluation of a Digital Shop Floor Management with a Focus on Usability
Joel Temiz, June 2023
Joel Temiz
Master thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, June 2023
This thesis evaluates a system for digital shop floor management. For this purpose, a multi-stage evaluation design is set up, which combines different usability evaluation methods. The four evaluation methods observation study, think-aloud test, cognitive walkthrough and questionnaire are conducted and aggregated to an overall result. The subsequent reflection shows that the evaluation procedure is appropriate, but several iteration loops are necessary to evaluate the system fully.
In accordance with the requirements of the cooperation partner AGCO GmbH, this thesis is not publically available. For access to the full text, please contact the author or AGCO GmbH.
Validation of a Process to Estimate Gazes based on Skeleton Data
Maximilian Römpler, June 2023
Maximilian Römpler
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, June 2023
Body position data can be considered a possible basis for automated gaze estimation. In this thesis, a method for estimating gaze directions is presented that works exclusively on the basis of body position data. The focus of the work is on developing and conducting an experiment to assess the basic applicability of the procedure. The results show that the procedure works significantly better for the horizontal component of gaze direction than for the vertical component. The thesis is associated with the research project HoPE.
User Identification for Ubiquitous User Interfaces Using Bluetooth Low Energy
Christopher Lyko, May 2023
Christopher Lyko
Bachelor thesis, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, May 2023
This bachelor thesis discusses user identification using Bluetooth Low Energy and the technical fundamentals necessary for it. To show a proof of concept, a prototype is developed which consists of an identity management system managing the digital identities of the users, an extension of the software of the CommunityMirrors to receive Bluetooth signals and an app for the user which transmits Bluetooth signals. The evaluation of the prototype confirms the practical usability of Bluetooth Low Energy in the context of user identification.
Analysis Techniques for Body Tracking Data
Fabian Schaaf, March 2023
Fabian Schaaf
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, March 2023
For the analysis of body tracking data, the existing scientific literature offers a number of approaches. However, due to the novelty of the field they are mostly still immature and only superficially documented. In this bachelor thesis a compilation of such methods is given based on a literature review. A selection of different approaches is documented, categorized and comparatively summarized. The thesis is associated with the research project HoPE.
Analysis and Implementation of MediaPipe BlazePose for 3D Body Tracking
James Daniel Beutler, February 2023
James Daniel Beutler
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, February 2023
While 3D body tracking as a research avenue into people’s behavior in front of ambient displays can be conducted using specialized sensor hardware, it would be beneficial if cheaper generic cameras could be used instead. This thesis uses the MediaPipe BlazePose library to build a proof-of-concept body tracking and recording software compatible with the PoseViz playback software. While the tracking quality is found to be not on par with more specialized sensor hardware, it is shown that an alternative hardware/software stack can in principle perform the desired tasks. The thesis is associated with the research project HoPE.
Hierarchical Clustering of Kinect Movement Data Using Dynamic Time Warping
Laurenz Fuchs, May 2022
Laurenz Fuchs
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, May 2022
When using depth sensing cameras for long-term evaluations of patterns in human motion, large amounts of data are generated, which can make manual examination impractical. In this thesis, a software tool is developed that can group such motion data through hierarchical clustering. Dynamic time warping, an algorithm that can relate similar temporal trajectories, is used as the comparison metric. The thesis is associated with the research project HoPE.
Concept and Implementation of a Data Analysis Tool for Body Tracking Cameras
Joel Temiz, January 2022
Joel Temiz
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, January 2022
Depth cameras with body tracking functionality have been a popular tool in HCI research to capture data on user behavior in specific spatial contexts. In this bachelor thesis, the author develops a software tool to provide semi-automatic assistance in visualizing and evaluating tracking data, which typically gets recorded in large amounts. The thesis is associated with the research project HoPE.
Smart-Watch-based User Interface for Personal Identification in the Urban Space
Henning Hontheim, June 2020
Henning Hontheim
Bachelor thesis (German), University of the Bundeswehr Munich, June 2020
This thesis deals with the recognition of specific users in the context of public information systems via communication with a smart watch app. Before digital devices can offer personalized support in the urban space, they need to know who is currently interacting with them. Identification via Bluetooth (with the user having the option to configure or disable it through a smart watch app) can be a privacy-preserving alternative to GPS tracking and face recognition. In this thesis, the author develops a concept for such an app and implements a prototype for the Apple Watch. The endeavour is associated with the research project UrbanLife+.
Concept and Implementation of Light and Audio Components for an Internet-of-Things Information Radiator Environment based on Raspberry Pi Mini Computers
Vitus Lehner, September 2017
Vitus Lehner
Bachelor thesis (German), Technical University of Munich, September 2017
Micro information radiators – digital devices with reduced capabilities for user input and output that are placed into the public space and provide locally relevant information – are an idea devised in the research project UrbanLife+. In this thesis, the author develops and prototypes an overarching concept for how these devices should communicate with each other and with central backend services in order to provide pedestrian navigation assistance.
Teaching Philosophy
Successful teaching, in higher education and elsewhere, is predicated first and foremost on genuine enthusiasm for the subject. This is why my strong identification with the research field of human-computer interaction (and with computer science in general) helps imbue my courses and lectures with a positive affective quality that creates fertile ground for the fruitful exchange of ideas.
Academic teaching and research are processes that are fundamentally similar, in that their goal is to gain knowledge, with the main difference being the degree of available guidance. I strongly support methods of research-based teaching and like to draw from current research for teaching opportunities. This intertwinement of research and education is rooted in the Humboldt Ideal, which provides the historical fundament for higher education in Germany.
To further clarify my understanding of the teacher’s role in the learning process, I borrow a metaphor from Steven Pinker, who states the following about good academic writing:
“The guiding metaphor (...) is seeing the world. The writer can see something that the reader has not yet noticed, and he orients the reader’s gaze so that she can see it for herself. (...) [T]he writer has worked hard to find something worth showing and the perfect vantage point from which to see it. The reader may have to work hard to discern it, but her efforts will be rewarded. (...) The writer and the reader are equals, and the process of directing the reader’s gaze takes the form of a conversation.” –Steven Pinker (2014): The Sense of Style.
While Pinker talks only about writing style, I find that this metaphor is a useful one for all forms of teaching. The difference between teacher and student is not one of intellect or credentials, but that the teacher has previously spent time examining some aspect of the world to which the student has so far paid less attention. As a teacher, I have the privilege of orienting my students’ gaze towards aspects of HCI and computer science that can serve as building blocks for their own understanding of the world – a view that complements the guided discovery principle of constructivism.
Conversely, I believe that learning is an active process that requires effort and impetus. While individual needs and preferences must be taken into account, there are things that I generally expect of my students in order for any teaching process to succeed, such as honest and straightforward communication and age-appropriate time management skills. I am eager to work with students at eye level and treat them as equals on a shared journey, which is only possible if they are capable of taking responsibility for their own progress. In this light, someone with less experience displaying a weakness in one of these competencies is not an insurmountable issue as long as they are willing to work on it and are receptive to coaching/mentoring. I share the humanist belief that even though some of us are more stifled by circumstance than others, everyone carries the potential for tremendous growth.
The way I most often think about HCI and about computer science in general is through the lens of human-centered computing. In research as well as teaching, I pursue the ideal of digital technology created and adapted for human needs, and I value a context-driven understanding of HCI over a technology-driven one. Understanding the influence and consequences of information technology on humans at an individual and societal level is a core competence for any computer scientist, and my teaching aims to foster empathy not just for the users of the systems we design, but also for other people who are impacted by them in the short and long term.
Teaching Showcases
Want to learn more about how I put my theoretical ideas for good teaching into practice? In this section you can find selected descriptions of courses and units taught by me, documented in-depth for anyone looking for inspiration.
There can be no teaching without learning. To keep my personal quality standards at a high level, I decided to pursue the ProfiLehrePlus certification, a standard for higher education teacher training organized by the Bavarian universities. Since 2019, I have completed the following courses:
Foundations of higher education didactics – prepared to teach
Planning, executing and grading competence-based examinations
Humor in teaching
Eyes on learning – actively supporting and guiding students’ learning processes
Classroom assessment techniques – using learning assessments alongside instruction
Wake up – how to activate students in presentation-centered exercises and tutorials
Skillful presentations
Supporting student writing in English
Creating good multiple choice exams
Teaching in English: methods and practice for teaching excellence
Staying on top of copyright in education
Handling difficult participants
Moderation and conversation techniques
Mindfulness exercises for educators
Grading papers and theses efficiently and fairly
Constructively handling mental blocks
Making an impression: find your voice, be heard! Vocal and body language training
Storytelling in higher education teaching
Legal aspects of higher education teaching
With the above list of courses in addition to 60 hours of guided unit planning and peer review, I have completed the Specialization level of ProfiLehrePlus and attained the corresponding certificate (PDF).
Former Courses
This is a list of prior courses where I have had a teaching role. Courses marked with an arrowhead “➤” were planned and led by me, others are where I had an assisting role in a course headed by someone else.
