since 2022
Informatics
ÖAW DOC Fellowship 2024: “Perception vs. Reality: The Illusion of Security – Why We (Erroneously) Trust Technologies in the Age of AI Revolution”
Profile
I am an interdisciplinary HCI researcher with three years of post-master-degree experience in Human–Computer Interaction and Usable Security, as well as more than five years of practical experience in Software Engineering.
During my studies, I worked as a teaching assistant in more than ten different courses over six years, while serving as head of tutors in three of them.
Education
2020–2022
Media & Human-Centered Computing
Graduated with honors. Thesis: Increasing User Satisfaction by Detecting Emotions in German-language Human-Robot Conversations with Q.bo One.
2016–2020
Software & Information Engineering
Graduated with honors. Thesis: Conception and Implementation of a “Student Relationship Management” System.
Areas of Expertise
- Human–Computer Interaction theories and methodologies
- Usable Security
- Human–Robot Interaction
- IT Security on Apple’s platforms
Grants & Prizes
- ÖAW DOC Fellowship 2024
- Nomination for Best Student Paper at CHIRA 2025
- Nomination for Best Industrial Paper and Best Student Paper at CHIRA 2024
- Admission as TU Wien TOP Fellow, 2024
- Nomination for the TU Wien Best Poster Award, 2022
- Huawei “Seeds for the Future” scholarship, 2022
- Ars Docendi State Prize shortlist nomination, 2021
- TU Wien Bachelor with Honors, 2021
- TU Wien merit-based scholarship, 2019, 2021, and 2022
- Dr. Hans Riegel Awards, second place in Vienna, 2016
Positions
2025–2027
Project Assistant at TU Wien
ÖAW DOC Fellowship 2024.
since 2022
Research Assistant at INSO GmbH
Lecturing on security on Apple’s platforms and assisting with the organization of lectures, exercises, and related teaching activities.
2024–2025
Project Assistant at Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
Worked on Diversity Computing Spaces, implementing prototypes, developing a study concept, and conducting workshops.
2022–2023
Project Assistant at TU Wien
Projects: MAXimizeMe, TREND 2023, and AR in the Factory.
2021–2023
Student Staff & Project Assistant at TU Wien
Research, documentation, public relations, and strategy planning.
2017–2021
Student Staff at TU Wien
Assisted in more than ten courses and served as head of tutors in three.
Internships
Feb. 2021
Intern · Research Industrial Systems Engineering (RISE)
Developed wireframes and a React prototype with Material-UI for a web-based administration interface.
Aug. 2019
Intern · Research Industrial Systems Engineering (RISE)
Developed automated software tests in C++14 and integrated them into a GitLab continuous-integration platform.
Affiliations to Research Projects
Concluded projects only.
2024–2025
DivComp — Diversity Computing Spaces
- Co-conceptualized two distinct DivComp Spaces.
- Implemented both prototypes.
- Conducted on-site field observations.
- Contributed to qualitative and observational data analysis.
- Supported dissemination through publications and presentations.
2021–2023
MAXimizeMe — XXLMontage für alle
- Conceptualized and led a user study with more than 25 participants using semi-structured interviews, video and audio recordings, NASA-TLX, and the System Usability Scale.
- Analyzed, evaluated, and curated the results.
- First-authored an industrial experiences paper.
- Visited Wiener Linien and ÖBB maintenance facilities.
- Led two workshops on future and diversity.
- Communicated with project stakeholders.
2022–2023
TREND — Transparency and Trust: Yes, but how?
- Conceptualized and led a user study with more than 10 participants using semi-structured interviews and workshops.
- Analyzed, evaluated, and curated study results.
- Worked on publication of the results.
- Communicated with stakeholders.
2022
AR in the Factory
- Assisted with the conceptualization and execution of a user study with more than 15 participants.
- Used semi-structured interviews, video and audio recordings, NASA-TLX, and the System Usability Scale.
- Assisted with analysis, evaluation, and curation of results.
- Co-authored the corresponding full paper.
Publications
Peer reviewed
- Vrecar, R., Geld, B., Dobrosovestnova, A., Čolakovová, M. G., & Weiss, A. (2026). Do Cookies Taste Different? The Impact of Options and Website Type When Setting Cookie Preferences. In Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications, 56–77.
- Vrecar, R., Weiss, A., Lepuschitz, W., Wedral, A., & Čolakovová, M. G. (2025). Why Do(n’t) You Trust Us? Highlighting the Importance of Trust and Transparency for Designing B2B Platforms in Electronics Manufacturing. In Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications, 177–192. DOI
- Wedral, A., Vrecar, R., Ebenhofer, G., Pönitz, T., Wührer, P. H., Weiss, A., & Stübl, G. (2023). Spatial Augmented Reality in the Factory: Can In-Situ Projections Be Used to Communicate Dangers and Health Risks? In INTERACT 2023, 574–594. DOI
- Vrecar, R., Steinlechner, M., Rupprecht, P., Wedral, A., Negele, M., Palucki, M., Ratzer, B., & Weiss, A. (2023). How to Bring Diversity into Industry: Industrial Experiences in Public Transport Repair and Maintenance. In INTERACT 2023, 267–272. DOI
- Weiss, A., Vrecar, R., Zamiechowska, J., & Purgathofer, P. (2023). It’s Only a Bot! How Adversarial Chatbots can be a Vehicle to Teach Responsible AI. In Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Challenges for Sustainable Management, 235–250. DOI
- Weiss, A., Vrecar, R., Zamiechowska, J., & Purgathofer, P. (2021). Using the Design of Adversarial Chatbots as a Means to Expose Computer Science Students to the Importance of Ethics and Responsible Design of AI Technologies. In INTERACT 2021, 331–339. DOI
Others
- Vrecar, R., Blumenkranz, A., Kubesch, M., & Frauenberger, C. (2024). Abstract Presentation | Designing Diversity Computing Spaces: How to Foster Meaningful Interactions for Early Adolescents — Two Hands-on Examples. Repository
- Vrecar, R., Blumenkranz, A., Kubesch, M., & Frauenberger, C. (2024). Demo | Designing Diversity Computing Spaces: How to Foster Meaningful Interactions for Early Adolescents — Two Hands-on Examples. Repository
- Vrecar, R. (2023). Student Review: “Sustainability” — a Term with Various Meanings and Implications. Repository
- Vrecar, R. (2023). Dare to Care — Designing Differently, Imagining Collaboratively. Repository
- Sabie, A.-C., Brunnmayr, K., Weinberger, K., Singer, R. S., Vrecar, R., & Spiel, K. (2020). This is not the new normal: studying during a pandemic. Interactions, 27(4), 12–15. DOI
Talks
2025
Perception vs. Reality: The Illusion of Security — Why We (Erroneously) Trust Technologies in the Age of AI Revolution
Teaching
- Guest lecture on iOS Security in Mobile Applications at TU Graz.
- Lecture on Mobile Security in Fundamentals of IT Security at FH Wiener Neustadt.
- Co-supervision of a master’s thesis by Cederic Demoulin (2025): Increasing User Satisfaction, Engagement and Retention in Life-Tracking Apps for Students — A Case Study of Methods on the App Habits.Network.
- Conceptualization and teaching of the first and second iterations of Quantified Self at the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg in 2024w and 2025w as main lecturer.
- Co-supervision of a master’s thesis by Marc Kroll (2025): CommentSense — An On-Device AI Browser Extension for Real-Time YouTube Comment Understanding.
- Ongoing co-supervision of 12 bachelor’s theses at TU Wien.
- Delivery talks and exam supervision in more than ten courses.
- Head of tutors in three courses and head of student relations in three courses.
Selected lectures co-authored and taught since 2021
- macOS Security Concepts — Introduction to Security
- Usable Security & Trust — Introduction to Security
- Security Implications of Typing in Programming Languages
- Introduction to iOS Security — Mobile Security
- iOS Environment Checks
- Advanced macOS Security Concepts — Security for Systems Engineering
Academic Service
2026
Reviewing
Two posters for CHI 2026 and one full paper for RO-MAN 2026.
2025–2026
Web Chair
Conversational User Interfaces (CUI 2026).
2025–2026
Program Committee Member
Augmented Humans (AHs 2026), reviewing three papers.
2025
Associate Chair and ConfTool Chair
Mensch und Computer (MuC 2025).
2025
Reviewing
Four full papers for INTERACT 2025; one full paper for C&T 2025; five full papers as 1AC and six as 2AC for MuC 2025; and one full paper for ISS 2025.
2024
Reviewing
Three full papers and one short paper for CHI 2025; one full paper for EICS 2024; one full and one short paper for MuC 2024; one talk proposal for INCOM 2024; and one full paper for ICSR 2024.