The Nordic Pre-CHI Event
The Nordic Pre-CHI event provides an opportunity for researchers from the Nordics to present their accepted CHI 2026 papers and discuss them in a smaller circle. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for younger researchers to get a taste of the quality of work presented at CHI and network with other peers, as well as senior researchers. Therefore, everyone from students to professors interested in HCI is welcome.
Check the programme below!
Date and Location
Dates
18, 19 March, 2026
Location
Lumituuli auditorium, Dipoli, Otakaari 24, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
Programme
> Jump to March 19th programme
| March 18th | |
|---|---|
| 09:00 10:00 | Opening and social activity |
| 10:00 11:00 | Social activity continues |
| 11:00 13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 14:00 | Cleo Xiao University of Copenhagen From Movement Adaptation to De Novo Learning: A Design Space of VR Interaction Techniques Mila Bujić Tampere University SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media Henrik Lassila Aalto University Stop Fiddling With Your Phone and Go Offline: People Experiencing High Information Overload Have Sparse Online Sessions |
| 14:00 15:00 | Qijia Chen University of Helsinki Social, Spatial, and Self-Presence as Predictors of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction in Social VR Jaakko Väkevä Aalto University “An Experience That Could Not be Found Anywhere Else”: Resonance as an Explanatory Concept for Player Experience Research and Game Design Judith Kankam-Boateng University of Southern Denmark ‘It’s Confusing, Insecure, and Messy’ – Mapping the Gaps Between Stakeholders’ Cybersecurity Mental Models in the Danish Defence Sector |
| 15:00 16:00 | Break |
| 16:00 17:00 | Eshtiak Ahmed Tampere University Roaming with a Robot: Analyzing the Experiences and Understanding the Dimensions of Designing Human-Robot Walking Interactions Jiangnan Xu Tampere University DiaryPlay: AI-Assisted Creation of Interactive Story Vignettes for Everyday Storytelling Difeng Yu Copenhagen University A Faster VR Body to Speed Up Choices |
| 17:00 18:00 | Free time |
| 18:00 21:00 | Evening Reception*: Pizza, Games, Demos, Music, Mingling, (BYOB) Special Performance at 20:00! |
| 21:30 | Open-to-all afterparty at Restaurant Sir Oliver: Karaoke and Pub Games |
*By Invitation only
| March 19th | |
|---|---|
| 09:00 10:00 | Giulio Jacucci University of Helsinki Usage Matters: The Role of Frequency, Duration, and Experience in Presence Formation in Social Virtual Reality Irene Kaklopoulou Umeå Univeristy Design for Dis/Ability: A Crip Inquiry into Personal Energy Tracking Christian Guckelsberger Aalto University Generative AI in Game Development: A Qualitative Research Synthesis |
| 10:00 11:00 | Karolina Drobotowicz Aalto University Automate, Assist, Avoid: Caseworkers’ Perspectives on Applying Large Language Model-Based Assistance in Public Sector Decision-Making Processes Camilo Sanchez Aalto University Do Users Even Care If Reused Smart Garments Reveal Earlier Users’ Data? — Anticipating Privacy Implications in the Circular Economy Xuejing Luo Aalto University Point & Grasp: Flexible Selection of Out-of-Reach Objects Through Probabilistic Cue Integration |
| 11:00 13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 14:00 | Emily Wong University of Copenhagen Is That You or The Machine? Translating Sociocultural Norms Across Distributed Spaces in Blended Realities Rūta Šerpytytė Tampere University Scaling Care-fully: Uncovering Labours of Care When Scaling Participatory Design in the Public Sector Thomas Langerak Aalto University Cost-Aware Bayesian Optimization for Prototyping Interactive Devices |
| 14:00 15:00 | Emrecan Gulay Aalto University Relational Dissonance in Human-AI Interactions: The Case of Knowledge Work Juho Alin Aalto University Effects of Adding Friction to Attention-Capture Patterns in TikTok Gabriela Molina León Aarhus University A Multiliteracy Model for Interactive Visualization Literacy: Definitions, Literacies, and Steps for Future Research |
| 15:00 16:00 | Break |
| 16:00 17:00 | Supriya Dutta Aalto University Mining Player Experience Trends from Game Reviews using Large Language Models Antti Oulasvirta Aalto University A decision-theoretic model of assistive interfaces Sarah Song Aalto University 留白 (Liubai) at a Hushed Sanctuary: Layered Reflections on an Artist Residency |
| 17:00 | Programme ends |
Organizers
Robin Welsch
Aalto University
General Co-Chair
Verena Distler
Aalto University
General Co-Chair
Matti Nelimarkka
University of Helsinki
Program and Registration Co-Chair
Janne Lindqvist
Aalto University
Program and Registration Co-Chair
Raphael Weidhaas
Aalto University
Local Co-Chair
Agnes Kloft
Aalto University
Local Co-Chair
Jaakko Väkevä
Aalto University
Event Chair
Henrik Lassila
Aalto University
Event Chair
Antti Oulasvirta
Aalto University
Event Chair
Uttishta Varanasi
Aalto University
Communications and Web Co-Chair
Antony Joseph
Aalto University
Communications and Web Co-Chair
Camilo Sanchez
Aalto University
Communications and Web Co-Chair
Travel & Accommodation
Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus is in Espoo, just west of Helsinki. It’s 8–10 km west of Helsinki city centre, about 12–15 minutes by metro (M1/M2) to Aalto University station. From Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the journey takes roughly 25–35 minutes by taxi or 50–60 minutes by public transport. The campus is close to the neighbourhoods of Keilaniemi and Tapiola, with easy access via metro, light rail 15, and HSL bus routes.
Getting to Aalto University, Otaniemi
- From Helsinki Airport (HEL):
- Take commuter train I or P to Helsinki Central Station (about 30 min),
- Then metro westbound (lines M1 or M2) to Aalto University station. Use the exit “Otaniementie”
- Total travel time ~50–60 min
- From Helsinki city centre:
- Take metro M1 or M2 westbound to Aalto University station (12–15 min)
- By light rail:
- Line 15 (Raide-Jokeri) stops in Aalto University and connects to Leppävaara and eastern Helsinki
- By bus:
- HSL buses 52, 111, 510
- Taxi/ride-hail:
- 25–35 min from the airport, depending on traffic
- Tickets:
- Tickets can be purchased via HSL app, with credit card at the ticket machines, or at station kiosks (R-Kioski)
- Purchase HSL AB tickets if moving between Helsinki and Otaniemi or Tapiola and Otaniemi
- Airport trips require ABC tickets
Accommodation near Otaniemi
- Otaniemi:
- Radisson Blu Hotel Espoo (waterfront), Forenom Hostel Espoo Otaniemi, Heymo 1 by Sokos Hotels, Noli Otaniemi
- Nearby districts (1–2 metro stops):
- Tapiola – Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
- Keilaniemi/Hanasaari – Hanaholmen (Cultural Centre & Hotel)
- Further options:
- Hotels in Helsinki city centre are a direct 12–15 min metro ride away and offer a wide range of choices
Code of Conduct
Nordic Pre-CHI is a platform facilitating dialogue and exchange of knowledge between researchers from across and even beyond the Nordic region. The organizers of Nordic Pre-CHI 2026 want to ensure everyone will enjoy the event.
Therefore, by registering for and attending Nordic Pre-CHI 2026 we all agree to the following code of conduct:
We will respect everyone regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, health, caring responsibilities, physical appearance, disability or educational background. Furthermore, we will also avoid language and behavior that reinforces discrimination or repression based on any of these attributes.
We will refrain from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. This can include intimidating behavior or language, inappropriate jokes or comments, unwanted attention, stalking or displaying offensive images.
If you feel unhappy or uncomfortable with the conduct of others at Nordic Pre-CHI 2026, please talk or write an email to any of the organizers. Your comments will be taken seriously and acted upon in confidence. If you do not treat others with the respect and tolerance that we all deserve, you may be asked to leave.
Please contact any of the chairs if you have any further questions.
Sponsored by:
