Steeven Villa, PhD
I study how people perceive, trust, and adapt to emerging interactive systems.
Research Impact
I translate experimental HCI research into insight for teams building human-AI systems, embodied interfaces, XR experiences, and emerging interaction technologies.
Human-AI Interaction
Evaluating how AI explanations, framing, feedback, and automation shape human decisions, trust, performance, and perceived value.
Embodied & Multisensory UX
Designing and studying haptic, thermal, wearable, and XR experiences that make digital systems feel more tangible, intuitive, and trustworthy.
Research Strategy & Evaluation
Turning ambiguous questions into prototypes, behavioral studies, mixed-method evaluations, and practical recommendations decisions.
Evidence for Emerging Interfaces
Combining controlled experiments, neurophysiology, UX methods to understand what new interfaces actually do for people.
Featured Research
The Power of Expectation
High expectations alone can significantly alter user behavior in augmented systems. This finding is key for designing AI that adapts to user mental-model and belief.
in Computers in Human Behavior
in Computers in Human Behavior
Decoding Haptic Illusions
Using EEG, we can pinpoint the precise neural markers that signal a user's detection of a haptic illusion, offering a direct window into sensory processing in VR.
in IEEE Transactions on Haptics
in IEEE Transactions on Haptics
Bias vs. AI Performance
Can negative descriptions harm AI effectiveness? Our research shows that performance benefits from augmentation are surprisingly resistant to this "nocebo" effect.
in ACM CHI24
in ACM CHI24
Featured Prototypes
AR Conversational Co-pilot
This AI-powered augmented reality interface analyzes conversation context in real-time to deliver subtle, relevant cues, fostering smoother and more meaningful interactions.
Room-Scale Ultrasonic Haptics
Feel virtual objects anywhere in a room without controllers. This 6DoF robotic platform uses phased-array ultrasound to deliver tactile sensations in mid-air.
Virtual Temperature Rendering
This robotic end-effector renders realistic temperature changes, allowing users to feel the warmth of a virtual fire or the chill of ice in VR applications.
AI and Me, An Interactive Art Exhibition
An interactive art installation exploring human-AI collaboration. Visitors' inputs dynamically shaped the evolving artwork, presented at the Alte Pinakothek Munich.
Thermal Haptic Illusions
Can the color of a virtual object change how hot or cold it feels? This VR experience uses visual cues to create powerful thermal illusions with ultrasound haptics.
Sensory Augmentation Vest
A wearable haptic system that translates complex data into distinct tactile patterns on the torso. A flexible platform for sensory substitution and human augmentation research.
Conference Chairing & Leadership
Augmented
Humans
Conference (AHs)
2026 Proceedings Chair, 2025 ad hoc Proceedings Chair, 2024 Proceedings Chair, 2023 Poster Chair, 2022 Web Chair
ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST)
2023 Video Chair, 2022 Video Chair
Symposium
on Virtual and
Augmented Reality (SVR)
2021 Publicity Chair
Mensch und Computer (MuC)
2022 Video Chair
Neuroergonomics Conference
2021 Public Relations
Have Reviewed for
Conferences
CHI 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 UIST 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 TEI 2023 DIS 2023 AHs 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 MuC 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 WHC 2021 ISMAR 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026 IEEE VR 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026 CSCW 2022 EICS 2023 MobileHCI 2024 SIGGRAPH 2023
Journals
Computers in Human Behavior Transactions on CHI 2022, 2024 Transactions on Haptics 2023, 2024, 2025 IMWUT 2022 Frontiers in Computer Science 2022 Behaviour & Information Technology 2024, 2025 Information Technology Journal 2022 Computers & Graphics 2025
Recognition
Selected awards and community recognition
CHI 2025
Honorable Mention Award
ISWC 2021
Honorable Mention Award
Haptics Symposium 2020
Honorable Mention Award
WHC 2019
1st Place, World Haptics Competition
Petrobras 2019
Inventor Award
Steeven's Now
A snapshot of what I'm doing and working on NOW
📊 Conducting Research in HCI/UX Methods
I am currently conducting research on HCI and UX methods, with a focus on improving how we design, evaluate, and interpret studies of interactive technologies. This work includes meta-HCI topics such as questionnaire development, effect sizes, and methodological rigor in human-centered research.
🧠Transitioning to Industry UX/CX Research
I am transitioning into industry to lead UX/CX research with a focus on quantitative methods, neuroscience, and human-centered evaluation. My goal is to connect rigorous research practice with applied product, service, and customer experience decisions.