Collaborative Research Center

SFB-TRR 161

Quantitative Methods for Visual Computing

We are living in a data society in which data is generated at amazing speed; individuals, companies, organizations, and governments are on the brink of being drawn into a massive deluge of data. The great challenge is to extract the relevant information from vast amounts of data and communicate it effectively.

Typical scenarios include decision and policy making for urban and environmental planning or understanding relationships and dependencies in complex networks, e.g., social networks or networks from the field of bioinformatics. These scenarios are not only of interest to specialized experts; in fact, there is a trend toward including the broad public, which requires the information to be presented in a reliable, faithful, and easy-to-understand fashion.

Visual computing can play a key role in extracting and presenting the relevant information.

In visual computing research the aspect of quantification is often neglected. The SFB-TRR 161 seeks to close this gap.

The long-term goal is to strengthen the research field by establishing the paradigm of quantitative science in visual computing.

About the SFB-TRR 161

News

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SFB-TRR 161 Events

Oct 20th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Stuttgart

Lecture | Embedded Visualization of Urban Data: Concepts, Contexts and Perspectives

Held by:

Till Nagel, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

Abstract:

Embedded visualizations of urban data integrate digital representations directly into their physical surroundings, allowing urban phenomena to be experienced within the spatial context they refer to. We investigate how augmented reality can be used to make urban processes visible and to explore the potential of such approaches for a situated understanding of data.
Building on work in situated and immersive visualization, the talk presents theoretical concepts, design principles, and prototypical implementations that illustrate how data, space, and perception interact. We discuss opportunities and challenges, including aspects of interaction, user experience, and evaluation. The talk concludes with the Crafting Futures project, which extends these ideas in an interdisciplinary setting, using AR-based visualizations to make the effects of climate change and possible adaptation measures visible and tangible in urban environments.

Bio:

Dr. Till Nagel is a Research Professor of Visual Analytics at the Technische Hochschule Mannheim, where he leads the Human Data Interaction Lab. His research explores how interactive data representations can make complex information more understandable and engaging for diverse audiences. He co-edited the book Making with Data (2023), is a member of the Center of Applied Research (BW-CAR) of the Doctoral Association of Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg, and an associated member of the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. His work focuses on information visualization, interaction design and data literacy, with an emphasis on smart city and mobility visualizations and on making data more accessible through public exhibitions, participatory workshops, and novel visualization activities.
Dr. Nagel received his PhD at the Human Computer Interaction group at KU Leuven. He was a visiting scholar at the MIT Senseable City Lab (2011), and at the National University of Singapore (2011-2012), a postdoctoral fellow at the FHP Urban Complexity Lab (2015-2016), and a guest professor at Burg Giebichenstein University of Arts and Design Halle (2016). He served as General Chair of the IEEE VIS Arts Program (VISAP) 2018 and 2019, and on the VISAP Steering Committee from 2020-2024. His projects have been exhibited internationally, including at Venice Biennale of Architecture, the Shanghai Design Exhibition, and the National Museum of Singapore, and featured in The Guardian, Esquire, and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Location:

University of Stuttgart, Visualization Research Center (VISUS), Room: 00.012

The lecture will be transmitted to the University of Konstanz, Room: ZT1201.

The lecture will be available via WebEx.

Meeting-ID (access code): 2733 819 7047
Meeting password: 79J5SmnWFrB

For participants via WebEx: The transmission will kindly be managed by Patrick Gralka. He will be on site and monitor/manage the WebEx-Session incl. Q&A during and after the talk as well. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch with Patrick in case of questions or problems regarding the transmission/your online participation: Patrick.Gralka@visus.uni-stuttgart.de

All doctoral researchers are asked to take part in the events of the lecture series.

Oct 27th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

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Nov 10th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Stuttgart

Lecture | Human-Centred Information Visualisation for the Energy Sector (and beyond)

Held by:

Sarah Goodwin, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract:

This presentation showcases a number of energy data visualisation projects, ranging from immersive tabletop devices for casual data collaboration and knowledge sharing through to measuring cognitive load of energy control room operators. The presentation will highlight the benefits of human-centred approaches and demonstrate capabilities for improved geospatial data analysis and innovation for energy network visualisation. It will also draw on other work, such as our design and development of Gazealytics, the visual eye tracking analysis software, which has helped to identify patterns in typical energy control room operator gaze behaviour. 

Bio:

Sarah Goodwin is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Australia and a member of the Embodied Visualisation research group. She is co-Director of Monash Energy Institute’s Grid Innovation Hub and Director of Engagement for the Department of Human-Centred Computing. She completed her PhD at City University, London in 2015. Her research focuses on multi-dimensional geospatial data and co-designing with experts. In her work she seeks to improve human-centred methodologies for domain knowledge extraction for visualisation design, interaction and task analysis. She has worked over 20 years in the field of geospatial analysis and information visualisation in professional and academic roles. She was co-General Chair for IEEE VIS 2023 bringing the conference to Australia for the first time. She also co-chairs two international workshop series: Urban Data Visualisation (CityVis) and Energy Data Visualisation (EnergyVis).Prior to her PhD and moving to Australia she spent 5 years living and working in Germany. 

Location:

University of Stuttgart, Visualization Research Center (VISUS), Room: 00.012

The lecture will be transmitted to the University of Konstanz, Room: ZT1201.

The lecture will be available via WebEx.

Meeting-ID (access code): tba
Meeting password: tba

For participants via WebEx: The transmission will kindly be managed by Patrick Gralka. He will be on site and monitor/manage the WebEx-Session incl. Q&A during and after the talk as well. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch with Patrick in case of questions or problems regarding the transmission/your online participation: Patrick.Gralka@visus.uni-stuttgart.de

All doctoral researchers are asked to take part in the events of the lecture series.

Nov 17th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Konstanz

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Held by:

Mike Preuss, Leiden University 

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Nov 24th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Konstanz

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Held by:

Tony Huang, University of Sydney 

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Dec 1st, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Stuttgart

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Heike Leitte, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (tbc)

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Dec 8th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Konstanz

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Michael Wybrow, Monash University

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Dec 15th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

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Jan 12th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

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Jan 19th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

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Jan 26th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

LMU Munich

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Joanna Bergström, University of Copenhagen

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Feb 2nd, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Stuttgart

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Held by:

Michael Doggett, Lund University

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