I am a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow (I joined in March 2025). My research focuses on interaction in AR/VR—particularly with agents and using gaze as a primary input cue. Before that, I was a postdoctoral researcher at Lancaster University (2023–2025) with Prof. Hans Gellersen. I worked on multi-sensory XR in the GEMINI ERC project, exploring AR experiences that integrate gaze behaviour and body movements.

From 2021 to 2023, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the Virtual Worlds and Digital Games Group at Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany, where I focused on multi-sensory XR and virtual humans. I completed my PhD there in 2021, investigating XR’s impact, possibilities, and limitations for future in-vehicle user interfaces.

My research focuses on how people interact in extended reality (XR), particularly in the following three areas:

• Gaze-Based Interaction in XR: I explore how eye movements can be used as an intuitive way to interact in virtual and augmented reality, from selecting objects to controlling interfaces. Particular interest is in leveraging natural coordination between gaze and other movements and behaviours.
• Social and Mutual Gaze with Virtual Humans: I study how virtual characters can use eye contact and gaze behaviour to create more natural and engaging interactions in XR environments, how this eye contact is influenced by various technical factors of the XR system, and how we can bring true social gaze in XR-mediated communication.
• Interaction with Real Objects in XR: I investigate how real-world objects can be integrated into virtual experiences to provide a more immersive and realistic sense of touch and enable new control schemes for everyday XR.

I am looking for MSCR and PhD students interested in exploring interaction in XR, particularly in gaze-based interaction, social and mutual gaze with virtual humans, and interaction with real objects (passive haptics). If you are passionate about one of these topics (or other XR-related topics) and interested in pursuing a PhD at the University of Glasgow, feel free to get in touch!

2024/2025: COMPSCI2031 User Interaction

https://florianweidner.de/