what I work on with doctoral students
Jurgis Peters
Jurgis investigates how generative AI can be used to create virtual worlds and artworks that dynamically respond to a viewer’s emotional state. He blends methods from art, interactive technologies, and machine learning to create empowering bioadaptive media experiences. He also explores how generative AI reshapes the role of the artist, moving from sole creator toward collaborator or curator of the final experience, and critically examines issues like authorship, authenticity, and the ethics of machine-mediated creativity. See his portfolio here. Read more in the Tampere University release here.
Project: Convergence
Anatolii Belousov
Anatolii explores how technology could and would be used for mind-altering. His work maps this emerging terrain through, for example, an in-depth examination of imaginations of such technologies in science fiction. His interests are in human-computer interaction, design and speculative fiction, and anticipatory futures research. He triangulates on questions of what form technologies inducing altered states of consciousness might take, and whether they could expand empathy, creativity, and human experience, while considering their cultural and ethical stakes.
Project: DIAL
Terho Ojell-Järventausta
Terho utilises futures studies to explore the societal drivers and implications of emerging digital technologies. His current focus is on a phenomenon called Digitally Induced Altered States of Consciousness (DIAL). Terho’s ability to see the forest for the trees is rooted in his creativity, which has been shaped by his background in music. He has also worked in business contexts addressing the digital transformation of government institutions. Through this experience, he has developed a holistic understanding of the complex network of societal factors that influence both technology and its users.
Project: DIAL
Xinyan Zhao
Xinyan (Shelly) is interested in accessibility, sound interfaces, and XR. Her current research focuses on enhancing accessibility and user experience (UX) for visually impaired individuals through spatial audio interfaces in virtual reality (VR). She aims to transform visually immersive experiences into engaging and interactive environments, advancing the accessibility experience in HTI. With an interdisciplinary background, she has contributed to projects on disability inclusion, data visualisation, special pedagogy for children with autism, etc. She leaves comments in Kaomoji in the physical world.
Project: InterReal
Dion Deng
Dion’s research centres on the space between who we are and who we appear to be in virtual worlds. By studying self–avatar discrepancy as the gap between a user’s real identity and their immersive digital embodiment, he explores how this tension affects immersion and other experiential outcomes. His work highlights the impact small design choices can make.
Project: Postemotion
Doctoral researchers are co-supervised with Prof. Juho Hamari, Prof. Mattia Thibault, Dr. Riku Roihankorpi, and Dr. Joseph Macey.