2026 ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award

25 February 2026, by HCI-UHH

Dr. Sukran Karaosmanoglu received the 2026 ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award! 

The prestigious ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award recognizes the most outstanding research contributions from recently graduated Ph.D. students within the Human-Computer Interaction community, showcasing the quality and impact of Human-Computer Interaction research. For the official announcement of the 2026 ACM SIGCHI Awards and Special Recognitions, please visit this link.

Dr. Karaosmanoglu is currently a postdoctoral researcher in our group.  In 2025, she completed her Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Hamburg under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Frank Steinicke. Her dissertation, “Immersive Virtual Reality Games for Societal Impact: Physical Activity, Active Aging, and Social Interaction”, investigated how immersive virtual reality games can address pressing societal challenges by focusing on three key issues: promoting physical activity, supporting active aging, and enhancing social interaction. As a key part of her research, she worked closely with diverse populations, including older adults with dementia. During her doctoral studies, she published over 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles, some of which received honorable mentions at ACM CHI. She plays an active role in ACM CHI, CHI PLAY, and the German HCI community, and participates in international networking programs.