Human Interface Technology Laboratory

I am the Centre Manager of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab NZ)

I hold formal research training in Plant and Soil Ecology as well as Physiological Plant Ecology, and spent over a decade working as a scientist at the University of Minnesota, contributing to research in these fields.

In addition to my scientific background, I have a strong interest in Business and Organisational Management. I earned an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, where I developed a deep appreciation for the role of effective business practices in shaping institutions. I am particularly passionate about applying strategic and organisational management principles to enhance performance and innovation within the Tertiary Education sector.

I am a multi-disciplinary researcher in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at the Human Interface Technology Lab NZ (HIT Lab NZ). My research lies on the intersection of haptic perception, digital fabrication and Virtual Reality (VR). I build and investigate physical artifacts and representations that enhance our digital experiences. Specifically, I build fabrication methods for replicating and procedurally generating objects and structures that have a desired feeling, study user-centric design processes for creating such haptic experiences, and investigate physical representations of digital content.

My personal expertise lies with investigating human factors of virtual environments and their application to interaction design. My projects involved physical prototyping, e.g., 3D-Printing (FDM, SLA, SLS), Laser Cutting, Microcontroller Programming (Arduino, ESP32, D1mini, Raspberry Pi), digital prototyping, e.g., 2D Sketching (Inkscape, Affinity, Adobe suite), and 3D Modeling and Design (Fusion360, Blender, Unity), programming (C#, C++, C, Python, Java, JavaScript), and backend and database design (NodeJS, PostgreSQL, MySQL). Furthermore, I have actively applied (research) methods such as user centered and participatory design, qualitative and quantitative research, statistical analysis, psychophysical experiment design, numerical and statistical multi-dimensional analysis, and I have experience in research proposal writing.

I am a Computer Engineer specialising in game development, simulation, and extended reality (XR). I am currently a Game Developer at HIT Lab NZ, University of Canterbury, where I develop interactive and immersive applications for research and education.

At HIT Lab NZ, I have developed educational games and simulation-based applications using Unity across virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and mobile platforms. My current work includes the VR Baby project, an immersive simulation that explores interactive learning experiences in VR, as well as Anestha, a dental anaesthesia training simulator combining XR and physical interaction. I have also contributed to the development of educational games designed to support engaging and interactive learning experiences.

My interests include game development, simulation, XR interaction, and educational technology, with a focus on using interactive and immersive technologies to create engaging learning and training experiences.

I am a professor at the HIT Lab NZ of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Before joining the HIT Lab NZ in 2019, I was an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management of the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. From 2003 to 2008, I was an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science of University of Hagen in Germany. In 2003, I received a Dr. rer. nat. in Computer Science with distinction from the University of Hagen in Germany. In 1998, I received a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Dortmund in Germany.

I am a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). I further serve on the editorial board of the IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics journal, Springer Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Augmented Reality Specialty Section of Frontiers in Virtual Reality, Journal of Universal Computer Science (J.UCS) and the International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems (IJCIS).

I have an academic background in mechanical engineering and professional background in 3D modelling and design where I worked for the US Navy and NASA.  I created my own 3D graphics company in 2007 that shifted into game development and scripting. I released 2 games on Steam in the late 2010s.  

I work at HITLab NZ as a games developer/programmer but also support IT and hardware needs within the lab.    

I am a Lecturer at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab NZ) at the University of Canterbury. My research spans the continuum between the real and virtual worlds, utilising technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality. It focuses on individual interactions between humans and these technologies, with particular emphasis on the implications of recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI). By exploring approaches that promote transparency in AI systems and encourage critical reflection on AI outcomes, the overarching aim is to design human-AI interfaces that are both valuable and safe for users.

Kris Tong is a postdoctoral fellow at HIT Lab NZ, University of Canterbury. His research focuses on immersive and interactive storytelling, particularly in cultural heritage applications.

At HIT Lab NZ, Kris contributed to the Ātea project, evaluating attention-guiding cues for cinematic virtual reality (CVR) creators and exploring viewer interaction design in VR systems. He also led a co-design project with Māori collaborators in Bluff, developing a digital storytelling experience grounded in Tikanga Māori principles. This initiative expanded into two further cultural-heritage studies: the Matariki Mixed Reality (MR) experience, designed to teach tātai arorangi (Māori astronomy), and the Virtual Tour Creator, which empowers communities to build their own virtual tours for cultural outreach.

In addition to his research, Kris has taught courses in digital product design, focusing on user experience across 2D and 3D platforms. His current research interests center on how immersive and interactive storytelling techniques can enhance cultural heritage experiences, combining expertise in CVR, interaction design, and digital narratives.

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the HIT Lab NZ of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. My research explores how immersive and interactive technologies can transform the way people experience, understand, and connect with digital and physical environments. Positioned at the intersection of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and interactive media, my work investigates how design choices in immersive systems influence user experience, behaviour, and wellbeing.

A central focus of my research is understanding how different display technologies and interaction perspectives shape user experience in virtual environments. I examine key constructs such as presence, embodiment, spatial awareness, and simulator sickness, with the aim of identifying design principles that optimise immersion while minimising discomfort. This work contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical guidelines for designing next-generation immersive systems.

In parallel, I investigate visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) in interactive and screen-based experiences, particularly in collaboration with industry partners. Through persona-driven approaches and user-centred methodologies, my research seeks to develop tailored mitigation strategies that account for diverse user profiles, including both players and spectators.

Another key strand of my research focuses on location-based and WebAR technologies. I design and evaluate interactive systems that connect people with remote places through shared, spatial experiences. This includes the development of novel AR applications and games that aim to enhance place-based engagement, storytelling, and social connection beyond traditional tourism or media consumption models.

Methodologically, my work combines controlled experiments, quantitative measures (e.g., presence and simulator sickness scales), behavioural data analysis, and qualitative approaches such as thematic analysis. By integrating these methods, I aim to produce robust, human-centred insights that inform both academia and industry.

Overall, my research seeks to advance the design of immersive technologies that are not only engaging and meaningful but also inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse ways people experience digital environments.