HDR Defense - Cédric Fleury - February 14, 2024 at 2pm, Univ. Paris-Saclay

Dear colleagues,

It is a great pleasure for me to announce that I will defend my habilitation (HDR) entitled "Supporting Collaboration in Large Interactive Spaces" (abstract below). The defense will take place on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 2pm in the amphitheater of building 660 (Digitéo Moulon) at Université Paris-Saclay.

The presentation will be in English and the jury will be composed by:

• Anatole Lécuyer, Research Director, Inria Rennes
• Carman Neustaedter, Professor, Simon Fraser University
• Anthony Steed, Professor, University College London
• Laurence Nigay, Professor, Université Grenoble Alpes
• Anastasia Bezerianos, Professor, Université Paris-Saclay
• Michel Beaudouin-Lafon, Professor, Université Paris-Saclay

If you would like to participate on site, please complete the following poll before the weekend to help me plan accordingly:

https://framadate.org/TkPX4OllQH8MFUSK

For those not able to join on site, the presentation will be diffused live in YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@cedricfleury/streams

Best regards,

Cédric Fleury

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Abstract:

As the quantity and complexity of digital data produced by our society grow exponentially, the need for computer-supported collaboration has never been higher. Empowering groups of users to manipulate, analyze and understand this data, while preserving control over how artificial intelligence processes it, has become a major challenge. In this context, my research investigates how large interactive spaces, such as wall-sized displays, immersive virtual reality systems or augmented reality spaces, can foster collaboration among users.

A first part of my work investigates new interaction paradigms that provide users with the ability to master the unusual characteristics of such large interactive spaces. Beyond individual interaction, it investigates how these systems can foster co-located collaboration by providing appropriate collaborative interaction among users. A second part of my work focuses on remote collaboration across large interactive spaces. It explores technical solutions to connect heterogeneous platforms, as well as telepresence systems providing appropriate awareness and communication cues among the remote collaborators. Rather than mimicking collaboration in the physical world, it aims to push collaboration beyond “being there” by leveraging digital cues and taking advantage of the large physical space surrounding users.

My future research will concentrate on exploiting the mixed reality continuum to enable collaborators to interact across time and space by seamlessly transitioning between heterogeneous interaction modalities. The overall objective is to support the different phases of a collaboration in hybrid situations, involving both co-located and remote participants.