MuC 2026 Workshop "Towards Pro-Adaptivity in Human-Computer-Interaction"
A Workshop at Mensch und Computer 2026 discussing the future of (pro-)adaptive technology and potential approaches to its implementation, both in assistive technology and beyond.
Organized by the Centre for Assistive Technology Rhine-Ruhr.
Key Dates
The full-day Workshop will be on Sunday, 30.08.2026.
Deadline for Workshop Submissions: 08.07.2026 (via Conftool)
Notification of Acceptance: 15.07.2026
Final Submissions: 22.07.2026
(All deadlines are Anywhere-on-Earth)
Abstract
The ability to adapt to users’ behavior and environment is an important feature of assistive systems. While most technologies remain primarily reactive, adapting only to current contexts or explicitly configured parameters, pro-adaptive technology represents an emerging research direction that extends this paradigm. Developed in the context of assistive technology (AT), it considers longitudinal trends, anticipating future changes in user abilities to maintain system effectiveness, usability, and user acceptance over time. We therefore propose different levels of adaptability, ranging from static (L1) to pro-adaptive AT (L5). Pro-adaptive AT adapts to meet the user's (future) needs based on anticipated conditions that are derived from past and current sensor data (e.g., changes in ageing or disease). In this workshop, we invite demonstrations, talks, and work-in-progress contributions across disciplines to discuss the future of (pro-)adaptive technology and potential approaches to its implementation, both in AT and beyond. To this end, the workshop adresses interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners to advance user-centered, adaptive technology.
Call for Participation
Our full-day in-person workshop connects researchers and practitioners to present and discuss their work in improving adaptability of systems across various fields and disciplines such as, human-computer/-robot interaction, AI, interactional studies, computer science, engineering, psychology, linguistics and sociology. We aim to provide a panel for interdisciplinary discourse about new dimensions of adaptivity and pro-adaptive systems. The workshop enables participants to present their own research on adaptive systems, reflecting on the different aspects of levels of adaptability together with the attending community.
We welcome all submissions considering new approaches to adaptivity in technology. We call for submissions of short papers (2 – 4 pages, including an abstract with 150 – 250 words and references) detailing conceptual and empirical research or demonstrations of technical systems or applications. Participants will present their submitted work, in a 15 min talk followed by a 5 min discussion. Please make sure to clarify in your submission if you want to give a (live) demonstration. We prefer submissions in LaTeX-format (ACM Template), but OpenDocument / Word files are also possible. Contributions must be submitted via the MuC Conftool. All submissions will undergo an interdisciplinary peer-review process with a focus on originality, importance, clarity and relevance to the workshop. Accepted papers will be published in the GI Digital Library. At least one author of each accepted submission must attend the workshop and must register for at least one day of the conference.
Please submit your contributions via Conftool until 08.07.2026. Accepted submissions will be notified by 15.07.2026 and camera-ready submissions are required by 22.07.2026 (all dates are AOE).
Full Program
Workshop Timeframe:
30.08.2026, 11:00 - ca. 16:15
Workshop Room: LK0051
For more information about the conference and surrounding program, please see the conference website.
| 11:00 | Opening Remarks |
| 11:05 |
Keynote: Pro-Adaptivity in Human-Computer-Interaction |
| 11:35 |
Extended Talk: Beyond Ability: A Relational Axis for (Pro-)Adaptive Technology |
| 12:05 |
Discussion: Conceptualizing (Pro-)Adaptivity in HCI |
| 12:30 | Lunch Break |
| 13:30 |
Talk 2: Identifying Dimensions for a Community-Based Systematics of Assistice Technology |
| 13:50 |
Talk 3: Technology Acceptance in Pro-Adaptice Cognitice Assistive Technology. A User-Centered Perspective |
| 14:10 |
Talk 4: ADHD by Design: Expert Co-Desing and Prototype Development Towards a Pro-Adaptive Reading Support System |
| 14:30 | Coffee Break* |
| 14:50 |
Talk 5: Toward Adaptive Human-Robot Interaction: User-Configurable Multimodal Feedback for Balancing Transparency and Simplicity |
| 15:10 |
Talk 6: KIDAG: Runtime-Guided End-User Development of Adaptive AI Pipelines for Assistive Human-Computer Interaction |
| 15:30 |
Talk 7: Gesture Recognition for Vending Machines: Adapting from Basic Interactions to User-Centric Personalization |
| 15:50 | Discussion & Closing Remarks |
* Since our own coffee break sits outside the conference's scheduled breaks, we'll provide some refreshments (coffee, tea and biscuits) in the workshop room. Additionally, the coffee station is close to the workshop and we can take a spontaneous short break between talks if needed.
Organised by members of the Centre for Assistive Technology Rhine-Ruhr
Dr. André Frank Krause
Dr. Kyra Kannen
Prof. Dr. Christian Ressel
Felix Bergmann
Prof. Dr. Karola Pitsch
Robin Grashof
Prof. Dr. Thomas Nitsche
