Personal profile
Education/Academic qualification
Psychologie, Habilitation, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
… → 2022
Psychologie, PhD, Universität Koblenz-Landau
… → 2014
Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Master, University of Vienna
… → 2008
Grundkurs Printmedien, OÖ. Journalismusakademie
… → 2002
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Can VR Robots Stand in for the Real Thing? Comparing a Physical Cobot and Its Virtual Twin for User Perceptions, Experimental Effects, and Study Costs
Mara, M., Winklbauer, A., Siedl, S. M. & Leichtmann, B., 16 Mar 2026, Proceedings of the 21st ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI '26). Torre, I., Baillie, L., Smart, W. D., Graaf, M. D. & Gombolay, M. (eds.). 1 ed. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), p. 734-743 10 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceedings › peer-review
Open Access -
Faces of AI
Mara, M., Meloni, N. & Meyer, K., 26 Feb 2026, In: Interactions. 33, 2, p. 14-17 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Reintegrating Human Attitudes in the Acceptance of AI-Driven Technology in HR Across Diverse User Interactions
Schittko, M., Mara, M. & Stiglbauer, B., 2026, In: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. 42, 8, p. 6026-6038 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Blue-Collar Realities in HCI: Lessons from Exoskeleton Studies in Industry and a Practical Checklist for Worker-Centered Field Research
Siedl, S. M., Bauer, L. & Mara, M., 30 Aug 2025, MuC '25: Proceedings of the 2025 Mensch und Computer 2025. 1 ed. ACM Digital Library, p. 624-630 7 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceedings › peer-review
Open Access -
Chatbots in Banking: Key Predictors of User Acceptance Across Two Large-Scale Studies—and How Gender and Ease of Use Fall Short
Großwieser, H., Moradbakhti, L. & Mara, M., 31 Aug 2025, MuC'25: Proceedings of the Mensch und Computer 2025. Chuang, L., Eibl, M., Gaedke, M. & Niess, J. (eds.). 1 ed. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), p. 507-514 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceedings › peer-review
Open Access
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StratP A.S CONTINUING - Learning to Grasp from Multiple Semantically Valid Options Using Reinforcement Learning and Language Guidance - Embodied AI
Mutlu, B. (PI) & Mara, M. (Researcher)
01.04.2026 → 31.03.2027
Project: Funded research › FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency
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„ExplAIn Together“ Citizen Science for Human-Centered AI Explanations
Mara, M. (PI), Meyer, K. (Researcher) & Großwieser, H. (Researcher)
01.03.2026 → 29.02.2028
Project: Funded research › FWF - Austrian Science Fund
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UPLIFT_AI: Einblicke in die Wahrnehmung von KI und Förderung der KI-Kompetenz bei oberösterreichischen Arbeitnehmern
Mara, M. (PI), Prandner, D. (Co-PI), Siedl, S. M. (Co-PI), Becksteiner, M. (Researcher), Reisinger, P. (Researcher) & Zukrigl, J. (Researcher)
01.02.2026 → 31.07.2028
Project: Funded research › Other sponsors
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Future-ready: KI entschlüsseln in immersiven Welten
Mara, M. (PI) & Wagner, E. (Administration)
01.07.2025 → 31.08.2027
Project: Funded research › FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency
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Songs about AI
Meyer, K. (Researcher) & Mara, M. (PI)
01.05.2024 → 31.12.2024
Project: Funded research › Other mainly public funds
Activities
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Podiumsdiskussion "Arbeitsmarkt, Wirtschaft & Bildung"
Mara, M. (Speaker)
23 Feb 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › science-to-public
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Maschinen, die wirken wie wir: Vermenschlichung von KI und Vertrauen in Information
Mara, M. (Speaker)
13 Feb 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › science-to-public
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Simplicity trifft KI: Warum Mensch-Maschine-Psychologie entscheidet
Mara, M. (Speaker)
15 Jan 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › science-to-public
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Spricht hier jemand? Risiken und Nebenwirkungen von simulierter Menschlichkeit bei Chatbots
Mara, M. (Speaker)
21 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › science-to-public
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Comparing VR and MR Setups for Human-Robot Interaction Studies: Methodological Insights and Implications
Siedl, S. M. (Speaker), Leichtmann, B. (Contributor), Winklbauer, A. (Contributor) & Mara, M. (Contributor)
10 Sept 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Contributed talk › science-to-science
Prizes
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Best Paper Award: Best Theory Paper (HRI '26)
Mara, M. (Recipient), Winklbauer, A. (Recipient), Siedl, S. M. (Recipient) & Leichtmann, B. (Recipient), Mar 2026
Prize: Prize, award or honor
File -
Honorable mention: Short Paper Award (MuC '25)
Großwieser, H. (Recipient), Mara, M. (Recipient) & Moradbakhti, L. (Recipient), 01 Sept 2025
Prize: Prize, award or honor
File -
JKU Kepler Award in Science Communications, Category: Science Outreach/Communication Activities for the General Public
Meyer, K. (Recipient), Mara, M. (Recipient), Siedl, S. M. (Recipient), Bauer, L. (Recipient) & Meneweger, T. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize, award or honor
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Minerva Award 2025 (Kategorie "Impact Icon")
Mara, M. (Recipient), 25 May 2025
Prize: Prize, award or honor
Press/Media
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JKU bringt Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft an einen Tisch
07.07.2022
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media