Rate Professor Vassilis Kostakos

Professional Summary: Professor Vassilis Kostakos

Professor Vassilis Kostakos is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where he holds a key position in the School of Computing and Information Systems. With a focus on human-computer interaction (HCI) and ubiquitous computing, his work bridges technology and societal impact, contributing significantly to the field of interactive systems and urban informatics.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Kostakos has a robust educational foundation in computer science and related disciplines:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Bath, UK (2005)
• M.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Bath, UK
• B.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Crete, Greece

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Kostakos specializes in:

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Ubiquitous Computing and Pervasive Systems
• Urban Informatics and Smart Cities
• Social Computing and Behavioral Analysis

His research often explores how technology integrates into everyday life, focusing on user behavior, privacy, and the design of intelligent systems in urban environments.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Kostakos has held several prestigious academic positions across multiple institutions:

• Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Australia (2019–present)
• Professor, Center for Ubiquitous Computing, University of Oulu, Finland (2012–2019)
• Research Fellow, Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Portugal (2008–2012)
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Carnegie Mellon University, USA (2005–2008)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Kostakos has been recognized for his contributions to HCI and computing research:

• Recipient of multiple Best Paper Awards at leading HCI and ubiquitous computing conferences, including CHI and UbiComp
• European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant for innovative research in pervasive computing

Key Publications

Professor Kostakos has authored numerous influential papers and articles in top-tier journals and conferences. A selection of notable works includes:

• Kostakos, V., & Ojala, T. (2013). 'Public Displays as Social Catalysts.' IEEE Pervasive Computing.
• Kostakos, V., et al. (2009). 'Urban Encounters: Modeling Social Interaction in Urban Spaces.' Proceedings of UbiComp.
• Kostakos, V., et al. (2010). 'Designing Urban Pervasive Systems.' Computer, IEEE.
• Camacho, T., Kostakos, V., et al. (2017). 'Privacy in Urban Sensing with Federated Learning.' Proceedings of CHI Conference.

His publications frequently appear in high-impact venues, reflecting his thought leadership in HCI and urban computing.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Kostakos is widely regarded as a pioneer in the intersection of HCI and urban informatics. His research on pervasive systems has informed the design of smart city technologies, influencing how cities integrate digital tools for improved livability and efficiency. With a high citation count and numerous collaborations, his work has shaped discourse on privacy, user experience, and social computing. He has also mentored a generation of researchers in ubiquitous computing.

Public Lectures, Committee Roles, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Kostakos is actively involved in the academic community:

• Regular keynote speaker at international conferences such as CHI, UbiComp, and Pervasive
• Program Committee Member for top-tier conferences in HCI and ubiquitous computing
• Editorial Board Member for journals like IEEE Pervasive Computing and International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
• Organizer of workshops on urban computing and social interaction technologies