UX Research

I’m excited about the potential of technological innovations and novel interaction paradigms. I thrive in conceptual and strategic UX projects that consider interactions beyond a graphical interface. There is more to outstanding user interfaces than pixel-perfect aesthetics. My data-driven approach considers the user’s context, goals, perceptions, emotions, and expectations. Humans and computers function so differently that the translation between them needs a deep understanding of both.
A new generation of devices and tools will soon redefine how we engage with virtuality, data, and computing systems. I’m thinking of AI in all kinds of flavors, virtual and mixed reality (XR), embedded systems, ambient computing, proactive agents, and biometrics. As users, we can look forward to more natural interactions, such as conversational interfaces with natural language, eye tracking, 3D and gestural interactions, haptic feedback, neural interfaces, and multimodal systems.
Virtual space will soon be seamlessly integrated into our personal and professional lives, just as laptops and smartphones are today. It doesn’t have to be a spooky dystopia – it’s an opportunity! This tech landscape on the horizon needs UX experts who see the whole picture, introduce original interaction techniques, and offer creative and ethical solutions based on user research and tech literacy, building trust and value.
In my work, I design the interactions between people and this new generation of technology to empower users. Let’s create ubiquitous availability of virtuality rather than intrusive distraction. Let’s strive to enrich the user’s world in meaningful and helpful ways instead of cluttering it with digital content. I imagine seamless integration of the virtual into the real, where interaction feels like engaging with the world naturally, not like operating a system. I want to shape this paradigm shift for the better.
My research focus
- Human-computer interaction (HCI)
and user experience (UX) - Virtual reality (VR), blended realities (XR)
3D interactions and spatial computing - Conversational interfaces and
artificial intelligence (AI) - Aspects of fidelity and realism
- Object manipulation and haptics
- Embodiment and avatars
Selected Projects
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Dissertation

In 2024, I published and defended my doctoral dissertation entitled “Unraveling the Fidelity of Virtual Reality Interactions: Effects of Realism in Object Manipulation and Embodiment.” You can read more about my thesis – in easy language or in technical terms – and get the free download of the open-access document.
Selected Publications
The Interaction Fidelity Model: A Taxonomy to Communicate the Different Aspects of Fidelity in Virtual Reality
2024. Michael Bonfert, Thomas Muender, Ryan P. McMahan, Frank Steinicke, Doug Bowman, Rainer Malaka, and Tanja Döring. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, Taylor & Francis. DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2024.2400377
Challenges of Controlling the Rotation of Virtual Objects with Variable Grip Using Force-Feedback Gloves
2023. Michael Bonfert, Maiko Hübinger, and Rainer Malaka. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 4. DOI: 10.3389/frvir.2023.1190426
“Seeing the faces is so important”—Experiences from online team meetings on commercial virtual reality platforms
2023. Michael Bonfert, Anke V. Reinschluessel, Susanne Putze, Yenchin Lai, Dmitry Alexandrovsky, Rainer Malaka, and Tanja Döring. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 3. DOI: 10.3389/frvir.2022.945791
Haptic Fidelity Framework: Defining the Factors of Realistic Haptic Feedback for Virtual Reality
2022. Thomas Muender, Michael Bonfert, Anke Reinschluessel, Rainer Malaka, and Tanja Döring. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’22), ACM. DOI: 10.1145/3491102.3501953
Understanding Circumstances for Desirable Proactive Behaviour of Voice Assistants: The Proactivity Dilemma
2022. Nima Zargham, Leon Reicherts, Michael Bonfert, Sarah Theres Voelkel, Johannes Schoening, Rainer Malaka, and Yvonne Rogers. Conference on Conversational User Interfaces (CUI ’22), ACM. DOI: 10.1145/3543829.3543834
Further XR work covers research on in-VR questionnaires for user studies, weight simulation in VR, hand and foot visibility for VR sports, a controller-based interaction technique, sensory feedback for virtual walls, and a mixed reality outdoor game.
More papers on conversational AI interfaces present research on multi-agent systems, politeness towards voice assistants, and AI agent visualization.
Awards
- Selected as Young Researcher at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum for four consecutive years (2020 – 2023) and Master of Ceremonies in 2025
- University Award for Interdisciplinary Cooperation (University of the Arts Bremen, 2017)
- Best Poster Award at the ACM VRST’17 conference on Virtual Reality Software & Technology (2017)
- Bronze Nail at the Art Directors Club Junior Award (2017)
- Germany Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium, 2014)
- University Award for Student Engagement (University of Augsburg, 2014)
Talks and Press
- Interview with magazine up2date: “What Does Virtual Reality Feel Like?” (2023)
- Interview with Klaus Tschira Stiftung: “Virtuelle Welten real gestalten – Michael Bonfert in der Alumni-Sommerserie” [German] (2023)
- Guest Lecture at the University of Bremen: “Social Design of Conversational User Interfaces” (2022)
- Talk at the MinD Academy by the Mensa University Network: “Ready Player Wann?” on current VR technology and how realistically Ready Player One portrays it (2021)
- Workshop at the MinD Academy by the Mensa University Network: “Social Virtual Reality” on the state of the art with a hands-on session (2021)
- Talk at the Mensa Juniors Herbstseminar: “Die Grenzen der Realität überwinden” on overcoming the limits of reality with VR technology (2021)
- Radio feature by Radio Cosmo about the research project “If You Ask Nicely” on polite CUI interactions [German] (2019)
- Talk and demo at the academia bremensica: “Abtauchen in Virtuelle Welten” on the state of the art of VR technology (2019)