postgraduate @ university of glasgow in hci

I very much enjoy working with research students. I have experience guiding student research and am currently available to supervise new research students at the University of Glasgow within the Glasgow Interactive Systems (GIST) section.

For an initial overview of degree options, entry requirements, fees, and funding, I recommend checking out the University of Glasgow’s pages on postgraduate research degrees in Computing Science. Each year, several studentships and scholarships are available. Have a look for details, especially the sections on School of Computing Science Studentships, Minerva Scholarships, and College Scholarships. The next application deadline for scholarships will likely be January 31, 2027

At the moment, I happily accept self-funded PhD students.

Topics

XR Collaboration

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This PhD project explores how AR and VR can enhance remote collaboration to match or surpass face-to-face communication. Focusing on verbal and non-verbal cues, particularly gaze and facial expressions, it aims to replicate and enhance social and mutual gaze, even without eye-tracking. The results could transform remote meetings, connect people across distances, and support sustainability by reducing travel. It involves AR/VR development, animation of virtual humans, and user studies, with flexibility for the student to shape the research direction and acquire necessary skills during the PhD.

XR Productivity

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This topic explores how extended reality (XR) can support comfortable and efficient digital work. By studying user ergonomics and interaction patterns, it aims to develop principles for sustainable and adaptive virtual work environments that enhance productivity and well-being. The outcomes will contribute to the future of digital work, remote collaboration, and hybrid productivity tools. Methods include AR/VR prototyping, motion and posture analysis, and mixed-methods user studies. The project is flexible and interdisciplinary, allowing the student to shape its direction and develop new skills along the way.

XR Doppelgänger

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This PhD project investigates how virtual agentic self-representations can shape the way people work, communicate, and express themselves in immersive environments. The research will explore how such representations influence perception, presence, and interaction, contributing to more natural and adaptive user experiences in XR. The project may involve AR/VR development, behavioral analysis, and mixed-methods user studies, depending on the student’s interests and expertise. Not all skills need to be present at the start, as they can be developed during the PhD. The project offers flexibility and can evolve in several directions, allowing the student to shape their own innovative and interdisciplinary research path.

Propose your own topic!

In addition to those, I welcome proposals from students interested in designing and studying novel interaction techniques in XR. You are encouraged to propose your own topic, provided it aligns with my broader interests in immersive technologies. My research focuses on interaction and communication in everyday AR/VR applications. I investigate how users perceive and engage with virtual content—such as through gaze, posture, smell, or taste—and how they express themselves via avatars. My work combines technical prototyping (e.g., Unity, Arduino) with empirical evaluation to enhance user performance, experience, and ergonomics. I take an empirical HCI approach, involving the development of interactive systems, the design and execution of user studies, and the analysis of user behaviour using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Details

Requirements

  • - Educational Background: B.Sc./M.Sc. in HCI, Game Development, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Human-centred Computing, or related fields.
  • - Technical Skills: Strong foundation in AR/VR development. Experience in machine learning a plus.
  • - Language Proficiency: Excellent written and spoken English skills.
  • - Communication Skills: Strong academic writing and presentation abilities.
  • - Curiosity, independence, and motivation are as important as specific technical expertise.

Research Environment

The University of Glasgow is ranked among the top 100 universities globally and 6th in the UK for Computer Science (Times Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). In the UK's 2021 independent research exercise, 100% of our impact was judged as world-leading. As part of GIST, you'll be in a vibrant and diverse PhD community, thriving on collaboration and innovation. Our state-of-the-art facilities and supportive academic network provide an fantastic environment to pursue your research passions and make a meaningful impact in the field of AR technology. Our team size allows for a rich diversity of interests while also fostering a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. Glasgow is a fantastic city with lots of activities and a vibrant community.

As a supervisor, I take a hands-on, collaborative approach and view PhD students as equal partners in the research process. I thrive on open dialogue, mutual respect, and shared problem-solving, and I am committed to fostering an environment where you are empowered to take intellectual ownership of their work.

Get in Touch!

If you are interested, please reach out to me at florian.weidner [at] glasgow.ac.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. Please include:

  • - Your CV (long form),
  • - your publications or latest thesis,
  • - your transcripts / grades from your current or most recent degree,
  • - a short description of how your prior experience matches my area of research (max. 200 words),
  • - an idea of your research direction (max. 200 words), and
  • No cover letter needed.
>>> Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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