News

New Perspectives on Digital Health Ethics - 03.09.2018 Workshop Digital Health Ethics: Free places left

There are still free places for our workshop "New Perspectives on Digital Health Ethics".
 

The workshop will take place on 11.10.2018 from 10-16h at Gerhard-Mercator-Haus (Campus Duisburg). All those interested are cordially invited. For more information see the poster which can be downloaded here.

If you'd like to participate please write am Email to julia.kianzad@uni-due.de. Further information can be found here.

Publications - 30.08.2018 Ethical Guidelines for Health Monitoring published

Health Monitoring applications try to augment users' wellbeing by observing and rating of relevant health parameters. This procedure raises questions on privacy, autonomy, data protection and the concept of health.

To address this topic, our team members Nils-Frederic Wagner, Katrin Paldan and Aysegül Dogangün, together with our former team member Hanno Sauer, published ethical guidelines on health monitoring. These guidelines highlight the most important ethical problems related to health monitoring, to distinguish warranted from unwarranted concerns and to suggest solutions for real risks. Alongside, ethical principles for future interdisciplinary project work in human-technology-interaction are established.

"Ein ethischer Leitfaden zum Gesundheitsmonitoring" was published (in German) at DuePublico and can be retrieved here. See also our publications.

Interdisciplinary workshop - 02.08.2018 New Perspectives on Digital Health Ethics

On 11th October 2018 our team members Katrin Paldan and Nils-Frederic Wagner organize the workshop "New Perspectives on Digital Health Ethics" at Gerhard-Mercator-Haus (Campus Duisburg).

The aim of the workshop is to set the stage for an interdisciplinary discussion of cutting edge issues at the intersection of digital health care and ethics. In two keynote lectures, internationally leading experts will pave the way for in-depth discussions of questions such as: ‘How can the quantified self movement be reconciled with subjective experiences of well-being?’, ‘Do emerging digital health technologies promote social inequality?’.

In two afternoon sessions, young researches will present and discuss their work in progress with the objective of setting new impulses for ongoing research projects.

The keynotes will be held in English.

More information as well as a preliminary time table can be found here.

If you would like to participate, please write an email to julia.kianzad@uni-due.de until 11th September 2018.

Call for participation - 26.07.2018 Study: App to help patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Personal Analytics and the Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum are looking for patients fo the peripheral arterial occlusive disease for a study. Participants will test a smartphone app that aims to increase motivation and activity, thus preventing an operation.

The study, which is conducted in German language, will be carried out during 3 months (begin: 01.09.2018). Interested persons can get further information via email (trackpad@uk-essen.de) or phone (0201/7232234).

The full article on the study from WAZ can be found here.

Download area - 09.07.2018 App Privacy Game available for Download

The "App Privacy Game", developed during the bachelor thesis of our former student assistant Alexandra Bergen, is now available for download. This card game aims to inform playfully about which data has to be accessed for which functions in smartphone apps. Furthermore it is supposed to encourage ethical discussions on data security aspects during the use of health apps.

You can find the game in our download area (so far, only a German version is available).

Publications - 09.04.2018 Do self-monitoring applications promote social inequality?

When it comes to improving the health of the genereal population, mHealth technologies with self-monitoring and intervention components hold a lot of promise. However, due to various factors such as access, targeting, personal resources or incentives, self-monitoring applications run the risk of favouring certain populations. Thus, can self-monitoring applications increase health inequalities, thereby creating a problem of social justice? The new article "Promoting inequality? Self-monitoring applications and the problem of social justice" by Katrin Paldan, Hanno Sauer and Nils-Frederic Wagner deals with that question. It has been published in the journal "AI & Society" and can be found here.

Press Review - 21.10.2017 Research Team at University Duisburg-Essen is looking for "Better Eaters"

On the occasion of the start of the evaluation our app "Besser Esser" ("Better Eater") our team members Katja Herrmanny and Katrin Paldán were interviewed by the local newspaper "Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" (WAZ). The main topic was the status quo of the research project, notably of the apps developed for this purpose. The link to the full article can be found here (German language).

The "Besser Esser" study is currently carried out. If you are interested in participating, feel free to write a message to the organisator sarah.lueckmann@gmx.de. The study is conducted in German. For further information please consult the correspondent page on our website (Becoming research assistant).

Informatik 2017 - 10.10.2017 Participatory Development of Socio-Technical Systems

This year's meet-up of the junior research groups "development of interdisciplinary competences" funded by BMBF took place during the Informatik 2017 (47th Annual Conference of the Society for Computer Science/Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI)) from 25.09. - 29.09.2017 in Chemnitz. It was arranged during the Workshop "Participatory Development of Socio-Technical Systems". As representative of Personal Analytics our team member Michael Schwarz (4th person from right on the photo) attended the workshop. The focus this year concentrated on the interdisciplinary aspects of the participatory development of socio-technical systems with elderly people. Thus, it was a question of how to integrate elderly people in the development process to meet the needs of this target group. Apart from that, the workshop aimed to encourage interdisciplinary discussion and networking between the junior research groups.

UMAP - 12.07.2017 Promoting activity with Implementation Intentions

From 9th to 12th July 2017 the 25th Conference on User Modeling, Adaption and Personalization, short UMAP, took place in Bratislava (Slovakia). Within the scope of the workshop "Temporal and Holistic User Modeling", our team member Michael Schwarz presented a project work on the topic of supporting active behaviour with the help of User Modelling. This work with the title "An Approach to Improve Physical Activity by Generating Individual Implementation Intentions" deals with the support of users in building healthy habits. Over a certain period, the app "DayActivizer" collects activity data which is used to derive a user model. If a lack of activity is detected, the app suggests time slots and activities that match the users interests and routines - based on the user model. Then the users can create so-called Implementation Intentions that aim to help them with the formation of their new habits. To reach this goal, Implementation Intentions have to be viable and to be formulated precisely. As an example: "If I have finished work on Thursdays, I will go running for 30 min."

Zukunftskongress - 04.07.2017 PAnalytics at Zukunftskongress

On 26th and 27th June the 3rd "Zukunftskongress" on the topic of "Bringing technology to the people" took place in Bonn. PAnalytics presented the card game "App Privacy Game" that was developed by our student assistant Alexandra Bergen as part of her Bachelor thesis. The game serves to explain playfully which permissions need to be granted to a health app in order to access which functions. In the course of that, an ethical discussion on data security aspects was encouraged.

Workshops - 23.05.2017 A playful approach to science

In the context of their Bachelor theses our student assistants Alexandra Bergen and Simone Löppenberg organized creative workshops with game experts from the respective domains:

Alexandra started with a workshop on the development of a game to increase the awareness for data security aspects in health monitoring apps and to encourage ethical discussions on this topic. The workshop was attended by the PAnalytics project members and Boris Roskothen, owner of the toy shop Roskothen in Duisburg, who contributed not only his knowledge, but also the rooms for the workshop.

For her Bachelor thesis our student assistant Simone develops an Escape Game to encourage the ethical reflection on the topic autonomy. To her workshop expert Nicolas Ehring from Geschlossene Gesellschaft Duisburg was invited. Together with the PAnalytics staff he worked on the creation of ideas for the game concept.

Research Project - 28.03.2017 Applications open

Master-Students of the subjects Applied Computer Science and Applied Cognitive and Media Science can apply now for the research project of PAnalytics in the coming summer term 2017.

Study - 04.01.2017 Wanted: Participants for online-study

Currently we are looking for more participants for a study on the topic of motivation and goal-setting. The participation will take about 30 min and can be rewarded with 1/2 "Versuchspersonenstunde" (relevant for students of certain subjects). To participate or to get more information, please follow this link. (THE STUDY IS IN GERMAN LANGUAGE ONLY)

Transdisciplinary conference - 04.01.2017 Do people know what they really want?

From 12th to 13th December 2016 the 2. transdisciplinary conference "Technische Unterstützungssysteme, die die Menschen wirklich wollen" [Technical support systems that people really want] took place at the Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg. It was organised by the junior research group SmartAssist. Personal Analytics attended the conference with to contributions: Katja Hermanny gave an introduction in cognitive science and presented the article "Wissen die Menschen, was sie wirklich wollen? Widersprüche in der Anforderungsanalyse und methodische Vorgehensweise am Beispiel von Gesundheitsmonitoring für ältere Menschen" [Do people know what they really want? Contradictions in the requirement analysis and methodical approach on the example of health monitoring for the elderly]. The opportunity was also used to communitate with the fellow junior research groups smartAssist, mitei and MTI-engAge.

The conference proceedings can be downloaded here.

Status-meeting - 04.01.2017 2. status-meeting took place

On 8th November the second status-meeting of the research project PAnalytics took place. In the course of this, the current status of the project was presented. This was illustrated by demonstrations of the results of 2016. Furthermore an ethics workshop on the topics ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of health monitoring was held. Amongst others, Alexander Dix, research supervisor of PAnalytics attended the status meeting.

Research project - 12.10.2016 Development of a modular Health-App

In this winter term PAnalytics offers a research project under the topic "Development of a modular Health-App". Target audiences are Master students of the subjects Applied Computer Science and Applied Cognitive and Media Science.

The aim of this research project is the development of a modular mobile health app, which can be extended by different plugins. Via these plugins the user should be enabled to integrate different life style ares (i.e. Sleep-, Activity- and Eating-Behavior), as well as other modules individually.

Interested students are invited to attend the kickoff-event at 19.10.2016 from 14:00 to 16:00 in LF122. For more information please follow this link.

Mensch und Computer 2016 - 28.09.2016 "Besser-Esser" at MuC

At the conference Mensch und Computer 2016 in Aachen Jennifer Sell presented the concept of the application "Besser-Esser". The related article was published in the conference proceedings and can be downloaded  here. The presentation was part of the workshop "Motivationale Aspekte im Health Design - Gestaltung und Evaluation adhärenzfördernder therapeutischer Unterstützungssysteme".

Innovation Screening - 06.09.2016 Second Innovation Screening

On 31.08. PAnalytic's second innovation screening took place at the Innovationsfabrik of UDE. Under the direction of Tobias Schenck (2. person from left) and Simon Hombücher the team spend the day working on the identification of innovations and market potentials concerning Panalyitcs. This time, there was a focus on the individual disciplines that are united in the research group.

Practical Project - 26.07.2016 Second Round of Practical Project 'Health Tracking'

PAnalytics lead the second part of the practical project 'Health Tracking' in summer semester 2016.

Bachelor students of Applied Computer Science and Applied Cognitive and Media Science worked on the further development of the results of the first practical project from last winter semester (more information here).

In the course of this, they improved the hardware and data analysis, worked on the technical validation and the calculation of an activity index. Furthermore, usability testings were conducted and a concept for a web-based user interface was developed.

TVX 2016 - 28.06.2016 Virtual tour through the supermarket - PAnalytics at TVX

In the name of PAnalytics Melanie Lausen presented a virtual shopping system for the elderly at TVX 2016. The system is thought to promote health and to help people who aren't physically able to go shopping alone anymore. To maintain their independence, the system simulates the shopping experience in the home environment. A mimimum amount of physical movement is guaranteed by arm and hand gestures. With regard to an individual healthy nutrition the users are supported by tips and warnings based on their own pre-existing conditions or dietary restrictions. The related article is available online.

52. annual meeting of DGSMP - 15.06.2016 Workshop "Urban Health mAPPing"

Personal Analytics will be represented at the 52. annual meeting of the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) with their workshop "Urban Health mAPPing".

Under the slogan "chances and risks of digital networks for healthy cities and metropol regions" project and research ideas in the interface of health, city planning and computer science can be presented, deepened, generated and discussed.

The workshop is free of charge and will be held on 16th September 2016 at "Haus der Technik" in Essen. The workhop will be held in German language. For more information please visit the workshop's website.

ACM CHI 2016 #chi4good - 17.05.2016 Go For It! - PAnalytics represented at CHI with contribution

Nils Beckmann from Personal Analytics participated in this year's CHI in San Jose, California, from 7th to 12th May. Under the title "Using Psychophysiological Parameters to Support Users in Setting Effective Activity Goals" he presented the approaches in terms of possible applications of the heart rate variability (HRV) in the context of goal-setting. Aim is to support users of activity-tracking applications in setting motivating activity-goals. The heart rate variability as a promising surrogate parameter of self-regulation can help, for example, with determining a good moment for realistic goal setting, with adapting the anchor point for goals or with informing the user about his/her personal limits.

11th International Conference on Persuasive Technology - 19.04.2016 PAnalytics presents support mechanisms for goal setting

Katja Herrmanny participated in this year's PERSUASIVE in Salzburg with an own contribution on behalf of PAnalytics. The approaches about supporting users of activity-tracking applications in setting motivating goals as well as the results of the according field study were presented. The paper with the title  „Supporting Users in Setting Effective Activity Goals“ is published in the conference proceedings. The contribution was nominated for "Best Paper".

Source of the photos: Facebook-Page of the Center for HCI, University of Salzburg

Practical project - 26.01.2016 News from practical project "health tracking"

During the practical project "health tracking" bachelor students of the subjects computer science and applied cognitive and media science developed a first prototype of a wearable sensor environment which can track everyday-activities (like walking, jogging, sitting, standing, cycling etc.), their duration and intensity. The practical project still runs until the end of the semsester.

Status Meeting - 05.11.2015 First Status Meeting

On 3rd November 2015 the first status meeting for the research group Panalytics took place. As guests attended the meeting Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies of VDI|VDE|IT, project mentor and Berlin's commissioner for data and information Dr. Alexander Dix, as well as from University Duisburg-Essen Prof. Dr. Jürgen Ziegler (Interactive Systems), Dr. Reinhard Viga (EBS) and Prof. Dr. Susanne Moebus (Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry und Epidemiology).

Job offer - 01.12.2016 We are looking for a student assistant for software development

We are looking for a student assistant for supporting us in the area of software development. For further information please read the attached document.

Ausschreibung SHK Softwareentwicklung

(English applications are welcome, too)

Persuasion and Questions of Acceptance - 21.10.2015 Practical Project "Persuasive Technology in Smart Homes" started

On Wednesday, 21st October the practical projekt "Persuasive Technology in Smart Homes" started.

Practical Project Health Tracking - 21.10.2015 Motion Detection for Healthier Everyday Life

In cooperation with the department High Performance Computing under the direction of Pr. Dr. Jens Krüger the Competence Centre Personal Analytics offers a practical project in the winter semester 2015/16 on the topic "Health Tracking".

Presentation of PAnalytics at DGSMP - 01.10.2015 Self-Monitoring for Healthy Ageing

Under the topic of self-monitoring for healthy ageing the project PAnalytics was presented in a circular letter of the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention e.V. (DGSMP) (http://www.dgsmp.de/files/rundbrief/DGSMP_RUNDBRIEF_2_15.pdf).

Interdisciplinary Exchange - 11.09.2015 AAL-Workshop "Gemeinsam Altern erleben" at "Mensch und Computer 2015"

At 8th September the AAL-Workshop "Gemeinsam Altern erleben" ("Experiencing aging together") took place during the conference "Mensch und Computer 2015".

Study finished - 25.08.2015 Influence of the Heart Rate in Activity Tracking

The research study for the investigation of the influence of the heartrate in activity tracking is finished.

Current Developments - 10.07.2015 Flipboard "Personal Analytics"

In our Flipboard-Online-Magazine „Personal Analytics“ we regularly present current developments in the application field of our research area.

Usage Behaviour of Activity Trackers - 06.07.2015 50+ is strongest User Group of Step Counting App Move My Day

An Evaluation of the user structure of the step counting app "Move My Day" shows an average age of 49 years. The strongest user group are, with 55,5%, people of over 50 years compared to 44,5% younger users

Ethical Questions of Human-Machine-Interaction - 08.05.2015 European Workshop on Ethical Issues in Human-Machine-Interaction and Service Robotics in Brussels

On May 6th 2015 a workshop about ethical questions of Human-Machine-Interaction organised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research was held at the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the European Union in Brussels.

Study participants wanted Study: "Influence of the Heart Rate in Activity Tracking"

Counting steps for science MoveMyDay

Young engineer leads project subsidised by BMBF Healthy ageing with modern technology