IFIP Technical Committee 13 on Human–Computer Interaction (TC13) has announced the recipients of the prestigious 2025 IFIP TC13 Pioneer in Human–Computer Interaction Award, recognising six outstanding contributors whose work has helped shape the field of HCI over several decades.
The Pioneer Award honours individuals who have made sustained and influential contributions to the educational, theoretical, technical, professional or practical development of HCI, often alongside long-standing service to IFIP TC13, its Working Groups and the INTERACT conference series.
After a unanimous decision by the TC13 Awards Committee, the 2025 Pioneer Award recipients are:
Regina Bernhaupt (Netherlands)
Regina Bernhaupt is Full Professor of Measuring and Analysing Quality of Dynamic Real-Life Systems at Eindhoven University of Technology and User Experience Research Director at ruwido. Her work spans digital twin interaction design, evaluation methods and inclusive user experience, alongside extensive leadership and service across IFIP TC13, its Working Groups and the INTERACT conference series.
Maria Francesca Costabile (Italy)
Maria Francesca Costabile recently retired as Full Professor from the University of Bari Aldo Moro after a career spanning more than three decades. A central figure in the development of HCI in Italy, she played a key role in founding major conferences such as AVI and CHItaly and has been deeply involved in IFIP TC13 and INTERACT activities since the early 1990s.
Tom Gross (Germany)
Tom Gross is Full Professor and Chair of the Human–Computer Interaction Group at the University of Bamberg. His pioneering research in human-centred computing, CSCW and ubiquitous computing has been matched by long-standing service to IFIP TC13, including leadership roles in several INTERACT conferences and sustained contributions across multiple Working Groups.
David José Ribeiro Lamas (Estonia)
David Lamas is Professor of Human–Computer Interaction at Tallinn University and widely regarded as a pioneer of HCI in Estonia.
He has been instrumental in building HCI education and community capacity nationally and internationally, while also playing leading roles in IFIP TC13 and major conferences such as INTERACT, NordiCHI and AfriCHI.
Virpi Roto (Finland)
Virpi Roto is a recognised pioneer in user experience research, with a career spanning industry and academia, including significant work at Nokia Research Center and Aalto University. Her contributions have shaped both UX theory and practice, and she has provided strong leadership within IFIP TC13, its Working Groups and the wider HCI research community.
Jean Vanderdonckt (Belgium)
Jean Vanderdonckt is Full Professor of Computer Science at Université catholique de Louvain and a leading figure in model-based user interface engineering. Known for his work on UsiXML and HCI education, he has contributed extensively to IFIP TC13 over several decades and has played a major role in advancing international HCI curricula and standards.
The Awards Committee, chaired by Jan Gulliksen (Sweden), brought together an international panel of past TC13 Pioneers and TC13 members, reflecting the global reach and collaborative spirit of the HCI community. In congratulating the 2025 awardees, IFIP TC13 recognised not only their pioneering research and professional achievements, but also their sustained commitment to building and supporting the worldwide HCI community. The IFIP TC13 Pioneer Award was first presented in 2010 and continues to honour individuals whose work has left a lasting mark on the field