The Visualization for Information Analysis lab (vialab)

Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), Oshawa, Ontario
What the facility does

Research on data science, human-computer interaction, interface design, information visualization, and visual analytics

Areas of expertise

The Visualization for Information Analysis lab (vialab) is a research group with a focus on information visualization, with special attention on text and document analysis. Other research themes include human-computer interaction more generally, interactive pen/touch surface display interaction and applications research, and computer supported learning. The lab maintains a range of collaborations with other academic researchers both at Ontario Tech and beyond, as well as industrial collaborations.

Research services

Visualization design and implementation, usability testing, interface design, and interaction design, crowd-sourced studies, eye-tracking studies

Sectors of application
  • Arts and cultural industries
  • Education
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Management and business related services
  • Policy and governance
Equipment Function
OptiTrack – Motion Capture System Millimeter precision tracking of people and objects
MultiTaction 55” pen/touch screen Pen/touch enabled screen
Hoylu Interactive Wall Display Pen-enabled wall display for large-scale analytics applications
HTC VIVE VR Headset Virtual reality system
Tobii Eye X60 Tracker Precision eye-tracking system
Pupil Eye Tracker (2) Head-mounted eye-tracking system (mobile)
Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Pen Pen/touch interaction device
Shimmer GSR sensor Wrist worn Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor to measure stress
  • Microsoft Research
  • Quillsoft
Title URL
A world beyond passwords https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-world-beyond-passwords/
Text Visualization: Past, Present and Future with Chris Collins (podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/062-text-visualization-past-present-future-chris-collins/id502854960?i=1000355855919
The Secret Life of Passwords https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/magazine/the-secret-life-of-passwords.html
Is there ‘love’ in your online passwords? https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/02/13/is-there-love-in-your-online-passwords.html