| Information Field | Provided Information |
|---|---|
| Laboratory /Department /Institute /Centre Name | Visual Intelligence Lab / Department of Computer Engineering |
| Brief description of the Centre/Research Group (Please provide a brief description of your research group or organisational unit, including research infrastructure, laboratory facilities, team size and industry collaborations.) | Prof. Ekenel’s research focuses on trustworthy and human-centric artificial intelligence, with core expertise in computer vision, machine learning, and multimodal AI systems. His work addresses key challenges in robust visual understanding under real-world conditions, including biometrics, facial and human behavior analysis, document intelligence, and anomaly detection, with increasing emphasis on multimodal learning and foundation models. He develops methods that ensure reliability, generalization, and fairness of AI systems in unconstrained environments. Prof. Ekenel has a strong track record of international collaboration, actively contributing to projects funded by the European Commission and national agencies. His research is aligned with Horizon Europe priorities, particularly in AI for health, inclusive and assistive technologies, and secure and trustworthy AI systems. His group is interested in participating in collaborative projects involving: Human-centric and trustworthy AI Multimodal and foundation models AI for healthcare and assistive technologies Biometrics, identity, and security applications AI robustness, explainability, and deployment in real-world scenarios Interdisciplinary applications of AI in ecology/biodiversity, archaeology, and material science Prof. Ekenel is open to collaboration, contributing expertise in algorithm development, system integration, dataset design, and evaluation, as well as leading technical work packages. |
| Research Area (Please provide 5–10 keywords that best describe your research areas and expertise.) | Computer Vision Machine Learning & Deep Learning Multimodal AI Human-Centric AI & Human Behavior Analysis Biometrics Trustworthy & Robust AI Document Intelligence AI for Healthcare & Assistive Technologies Interdisciplinary AI Applications Anomaly Detection |
| Please list your relevant previous projects, indicating the programme, project name, year and role. | Jan. 2024 – Dec. 2027, Partner, “Meetween: My Personal AI Mediator for Virtual Meetings”, Horizon Europe Research Grant Oct. 2023 – Oct. 2027, Management Committee Member, “InsectAI – Using Image-based AI for Insect Monitoring & Conservation”, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Programme Feb. 2022 – Feb. 2025, Partner, “Deep Learning and Computer Vision Assisted Multi-UAV Search and Rescue System”, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Research Grant March 2022 – March 2024, Partner, “Online Platform Design for Remote Usability Evaluation: UXDigi”, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Research Grant Oct. 2020 – Oct. 2023, Partner, “Low Resolution Face Recognition”, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Slovenian Research Agency Research Grant Oct. 2020 – Oct. 2024, Management Committee Member, “International Interdisciplinary Network on Smart Healthy Age- friendly Environments”, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Programme Sept. 2020 – Sept. 2024, Management Committee Member, “Network on Privacy-Aware Audio- and Video-Based Applications for Active and Assisted Living”, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Programme Oct. 2017 – April 2022, Management Committee Member, “Indoor Living Space Improvement: Smart Habitat for the Elderly”, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Programme March 2017 – March 2021, Management Committee Member, “Multimodal Imaging of Forensic Science Evidence – tools for Forensic Science”, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Programme June 2013 – May 2017, Principal Investigator, “Multimodal Face Processing”, EU FP7 Marie Curie Career Integration Grant Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2016, Principal Investigator, “Artificial Vision for Assisting Visually Impaired in Social Interactions”, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Intensified Cooperation Grant. COST Action: IC1206 | De- identification for Privacy Protection in Multimedia Content Oct. 2013 – Sept. 2015, Principal Investigator, “A Unified Framework for Face Analysis”, TUBITAK Career Grant. COST Action: IC1303 | Algorithms, Architectures and Platforms for Enhanced Living Environments (AAPELE) Oct. 2012 – Sept. 2015, Partner, “Collaborative Annotation of Multi- Modal, Multi-Lingual and Multimedia Documents (CAMOMILE)”, FP7 ERA-NET CHIST-ERA Programme. COST Action: IC1307 | The European Network on Integrating Vision and Language (iV&L Net) April 2012 – March 2014, Partner, “Affective Computing for Mobile HCI: Integrating Efforts for an Industry-informed Contemporary Module”, British Council within the UK-Turkey Knowledge Partnership Programme July 2010 – Sept. 2011, Researcher, “VIPSAFE: Automated Visual monitoring for Improving Patient SAFEty”, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) April 2010 – Sept. 2011 Principal Investigator, “Facial Image Processing and Analysis”, German Research Foundation (DFG) within the framework of the German Excellence Initiative Jan. 2010 – Sept. 2011, Principal Investigator, “Robust Face Detection Using Multiple Cues”, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Jan. 2009 – Sept. 2011, Researcher, “Gesture Based Human Computer Interaction in Emergency Management Systems”, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) May 2008 – Sept. 2011, Researcher, Task Leader, “Quaero”, French State Agency for Innovation (OSEO) June 2004 – Sept. 2011, Researcher, “SFB 588 Humanoid Robots – Learning and Cooperating Multimodal Robots”, German Research Foundation (DFG) June 2004 – Dec. 2007, Researcher, “CHIL – Computers in the Human Interaction Loop”, European Union under the Sixth Framework Programme, Integrated Project |
| Proposed Project Idea or Area of Interest (If applicable, please briefly outline a concept idea, the problem you aim to address, or your specific area of interest.) | His group is interested in participating in collaborative projects involving: Human-centric and trustworthy AI Multimodal and foundation models AI for healthcare and assistive technologies Biometrics, identity, and security applications AI robustness, explainability, and deployment in real-world scenarios Interdisciplinary applications of AI in ecology/biodiversity, archaeology, and material science |
| Potential Contributions to Projects | ☑ Scientific / technical research ☑ Methodology development ☐ Modelling / simulation ☑ Data analysis / artificial intelligence ☑ Experimental studies / testing ☐ Pilot / demonstration activities ☐ Socio-economic analysis / policy contribution ☑ Education, dissemination and impact activities ☐ Other (please specify): |
| Preferred Role in Consortia | ☐ Coordinator ☑ Partner |
| Programmes and Calls of Interest (Please indicate the programme(s) you are interested in and, if possible, specify the call identifier and/or title.) | ☑ Horizon Europe Clusters ☑ Erasmus+ ☑ Digital Europe ☑ EIT (HEI / KIC, etc.) ☑ MSCA ☐ ERC ☐ Other (please specify): |
| Additional Notes (Please provide any additional information or specific remarks you would like to share with the International Projects Office.) |
