Research

Information visualization is a mediator between humans and machines – it makes data readable for humans and provides an interface to use the machine. In this role, in addition to own contributions, the discipline also integrates various computer science techniques and makes them available. The research group carries out basic research developing new visualization techniques and investigates interactive visual analysis systems for various applications. Usability and comprehensibility of the visualizations are always considered, as well as transparency of data processing.

Previous Projects

  • vgiReports: Accessible Reporting of Spatiotemporal Geographic Information Leveraging Generated Text and Visualization; DFG, 2019-2024
  • Comparative Analysis of Dynamic Networks Combining Statistical and Visual Methods; MERCUR, 2020-2023
  • SoftwareDynamics²: Fine-Grained Evolution of Software Behavior; DFG, 2017-2022
  • Vis-Text Interaction: Interactive Links of Information Visualizations and Texts; Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, 2015-2019

Research Areas and Selected Contributions

Expressive Visual Encodings

We explore expressive visualization of complex and dynamic processes and behaviors. In doing so, we develop basic information visualization techniques that integrate different data representations. Examples include dynamic graphs and set structures, timeline-based event visualization, and visual comparison techniques.

Explanatory Visual Reporting

We create explanatory combinations of text or language and visualization, and thereby generate interactive reporting solutions. In addition to interactive documents, narrative visualizations in virtual reality can be created. Use cases range from professional scenarios in software development to the communication of geographic data to a broad audience.

Enabling Visual Analytics

We develop visual analysis methods that enable reasoning through comparative representation and interactive editing and abstraction. The methods use advanced algorithmic solutions and consider mentioned aspects of meaningful and explanatory visual representations of information. The developed solutions help experts and professional users to explore and understand complex data.