DoctorSimon Hoermann
Associate Professor
School of Product Design
- Associate ProfessorSchool of Product Design
BIO
My research, Transformational Computing, integrates cutting-edge technology and health, with a strong emphasis on creating impactful solutions to improve health outcomes. It spans diverse areas including neurorehabilitation, mental health, health-focused assistive technologies, and learning and training technology. My focus is on reshaping the design, development, and deployment of technology to enhance human health and functional capacity.
Neurorehabilitation:
Early contributions included pioneering the use of Extended Reality (XR) applications to support recovery for individuals with acquired brain injuries. This work continues to inform my development of innovative rehabilitation technologies for conditions such as stroke recovery and multiple sclerosis.
Mental Health:
I have developed augmented intelligence systems to support online community moderators and virtual AI companions designed to assist individuals navigating complex life circumstances. These initiatives reflect a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance mental well-being and resilience.
Health Training and Simulation:
My projects include creating immersive virtual environments for emergency responders and healthcare professionals, enhancing their preparedness and decision-making skills through validated simulation systems.
Food Psychology and Behaviour:
Recent collaborations have focused on understanding cravings and eating behaviours using immersive virtual reality, with applications in behavioural psychology, obesity prevention and smoking cessation.
Through these interdisciplinary endeavours, I aim to advance user-centred solutions that are both innovative and evidence-based, fostering collaboration between researchers, health professionals, technologists, educators, domain experts and end-users.
TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAITAHA - UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY APPOINTMENTS
- Associate ProfessorUniversity of Canterbury, School of Product Design, Faculty of Engineering7 Mar 2017 - present
DEGREES
- PhDUniversity of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand2013
- MScFree University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy2008
- Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary TeachingUniversity of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand2022
FACULTY
- Faculty of Engineering
GRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 4 Quality Education
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 10 Reduced Inequalities
AVAILABILITY
- Collaborative research projects
- Consulting & advisory services
- Industry partnerships & innovation
- Media enquiries