About WISE

The Web & Information Systems Engineering (WISE) Laboratory is a research unit of the department of Computer Science of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel that is headed by Professor Dr. Beat Signer.

The activities of WISE concentrate on innovative information systems, such as next generation web applications, context-aware applications and cross-media solutions, as well as human-computer interaction aspects for those systems, including interactive paper or multimodal and multi-touch interaction. We develop new engineering methodologies, tools and software frameworks for the rapid prototyping and efficient realisation of these innovative information environments.

There is a strong emphasis on conceptual modelling and design, semantics, reasoning on designs, adaptation and personalisation, localisation and globalisation, accessibility and usability in general. Important technologies used in this context are Semantic Web technologies, Web 2.0 technologies, ontologies, graphical and visual design languages, domain-specific modelling languages and design patterns.

Important application domains are web applications, augmented reality, data physicalisation, serious games and e-learning.