Dr. David Unbehaun

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in the context of collaborative technologies
• Design and application of participatory design methods
• Design, development, and evaluation of assistive technologies in the context of health, rehabilitation, therapy, and care
• Technological support for social interactions in real and virtual environments
• Sustainable development and ethical aspects in technology design
• Conception, development, and multi-method evaluation of music-based interactive systems for people with dementia

Dr. David Unbehaun's main research interest lies in investigating how innovative technologies can support individual behaviors, social interactions, and institutional change processes. A key focus of his work is the integration of participatory design approaches to create user-centered systems that meet the needs of diverse user groups.

As part of his dissertation, Mr. Unbehaun developed and evaluated a video game-based assistive system to support people with dementia and their social environments, aiming to promote independence, communication, and mobility — and thus social contact and participation. His dissertation focused on the individual impact and social consequences of this system in various care settings. The work also examined complementary co-design activities conducted in direct dialogue with private households, day care centers, and residential care facilities, reflecting on the respective advantages and disadvantages as well as potentials and challenges.

In his current scientific work, Dr. Unbehaun pursues the overarching goal, across different research projects, of designing innovative, socially relevant, and practice-oriented systems, developing them collaboratively with users, and accompanying their sustainable and long-term implementation in real-world settings. His research agenda takes into account innovations that support various areas of care, from prevention to clinical intervention. These include R&D projects in healthcare such as: digital monitoring of health parameters, detection of complex movement patterns in immobile patients, documentation of patient positioning, effective use of intersectoral teleconsultation in real time, quick access to extensive instructional workflows with recorded videos, real-time sensor data display and interaction using modern data glasses for the care of stroke patients (AR glasses), the use of IT in supporting people in need of care and their outpatient, semi-inpatient, and inpatient support networks, assistive technologies for home living in both urban and rural contexts, assistive and application-oriented robotics to develop participatory approaches to future work environments in care, IT-supported collaboration and participation, visual immersion and communication, music modulation and stimulation in various therapeutic and rehabilitative contexts, regional support for small and medium-sized enterprises in the healthcare industry regarding digitalization issues and challenges. This also includes regional collaborations with hospitals, educational and training institutions, therapeutic facilities, and healthcare centers.

Since 2020, David Unbehaun has led a research group in the field of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Siegen. Since October 2022, he holds the position of interim professor for Human-Centered Information Systems at the Technical University of Clausthal.
Dr. Unbehaun is also a member of various interdisciplinary expert committees, working groups, and the JPND International Expert Group in Technology for Neurodegenerative Diseases. His broad academic training and professional background reflect his commitment to interdisciplinary research. He has published numerous high-level scientific papers and actively contributes to the international research community, particularly through his organization of and participation in conferences and workshops in the fields of HCI, HRI, and CSCW.