Publiée 4 juillet 2026
PhD Position F/M Assisting non-expert audiences in understanding data displayed on 2D/3D geographic media
Inria
Talence, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 33400, France
CDI
Contexte et atouts du poste
This topic investigates the communication of data displayed in interactive environments such as a digital-twin of the French territory (Project "Junn", https://junn-france.fr ). Digital twins are virtual environments representing and integrating data about real-world phenomena such as the impact of climate change, population demographics, or the distribution of public services-the core idea being to make these data as widely used and understood by diverse audiences: researchers, analysts, policy advisors and policy makers, citizens and NGOs, businesses, etc. The specific digital twin, called JUNN, is a collaboration between different French research institutions and organizations with the goal of integrating data from different sources and institutions for analysis, exploration, and explanation. The data in JUNN can include, but is not limited to, geometric (e.g., geospatial GIS), environmental data (e.g., land use, weather, climate, biodiversity), socio-economic and human activity (e.g., population, transports, energy). Data comes from national institutions (e.g., IGN, Cerema, Meteo-France, INSEE ), individual organizations (e.g., Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux ) and can be both recorded as well as modeled (e.g., https://jumeaux-fleuve.naos-cluster.tech/fr/accueil ).
Mission confiée
In this associated PhD topic, we will investigate and study novel and creative approaches to explain data from the digital twin to lay audiences; i.e., people rather unfamiliar with the digital twin, with the data, and the represented phenomena, and which can involve many of the above specified stakeholder groups. In particular, we want to investigate questions related to the visualization and explanation of these data in immersive environments [1][2] beyond the desktop, such as mixed reality, virtual reality, or possibly large walls. An early book chapter describes a high-level approach to Immersive Data-stories [3] yet largely detached from the technical environments. More recently a survey describes techniques and approaches for Immersive Data-Driven Storytelling [4]. However, as outlined in these existing writings [3,4], we are missing a deliberate and structured approach to immersive data-driven storytelling. Relevant research questions for this PhD include:
[1] Segel, E., & Heer, J. (2010). Narrative visualization: Telling stories with data. IEEE transactions on visualisation and computer graphics , 16 (6), 1139-1148.
[2]Dwyer, Henry Riche, Klein, Stuerzlinger, Thomas (2016). Immersive Analytics. Report from Dagstuhl Seminar https://drops.dagstuhl.de/storage/04dagstuhl-reports/volume06/issue06/16231/DagRep.6.6.1/DagRep.6.6.1.pdf
[3] Isenberg, P., Lee, B., Qu, H. and Cordeil, M., 2018. Immersive visual data stories. In Immersive analytics (pp. 165-184). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
[4] Méndez, J., Luo, W., Rzayev, R., Büschel, W., & Dachselt, R. (2025). Immersive data-driven storytelling: Scoping an emerging field through the lenses of research, journalism, and games. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics , 31 (10), 6839-6851.
Principales activités
The topic will co-design, develop, and evaluate novel techniques for data visualization and data-driven storytelling and explanation. Where possible we will work with partners in Bordeaux, France, and beyond to i) understand usage scenarios and audiences, to ii) co-design stories and storytelling techniques, and to iii) evaluate our techniques. Design and prototyping is planned in platforms such as Godot (similar to Unity). Evaluation of techniques is planned to happen through mixed methods qualitative and quantitative user-centered evaluations (e.g., usability studies, think-aloud, controlled experiments, longitudinal studies, workshops and focus-groups). Possible outcomes of this PhD can include: design patterns for immersive data-driven storytelling, co-creation methods, system prototypes, empirical findings, conceptual models, etc.
Avantages
Rémunération
2300€ / month before taxs
This topic investigates the communication of data displayed in interactive environments such as a digital-twin of the French territory (Project "Junn", https://junn-france.fr ). Digital twins are virtual environments representing and integrating data about real-world phenomena such as the impact of climate change, population demographics, or the distribution of public services-the core idea being to make these data as widely used and understood by diverse audiences: researchers, analysts, policy advisors and policy makers, citizens and NGOs, businesses, etc. The specific digital twin, called JUNN, is a collaboration between different French research institutions and organizations with the goal of integrating data from different sources and institutions for analysis, exploration, and explanation. The data in JUNN can include, but is not limited to, geometric (e.g., geospatial GIS), environmental data (e.g., land use, weather, climate, biodiversity), socio-economic and human activity (e.g., population, transports, energy). Data comes from national institutions (e.g., IGN, Cerema, Meteo-France, INSEE ), individual organizations (e.g., Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux ) and can be both recorded as well as modeled (e.g., https://jumeaux-fleuve.naos-cluster.tech/fr/accueil ).
Mission confiée
In this associated PhD topic, we will investigate and study novel and creative approaches to explain data from the digital twin to lay audiences; i.e., people rather unfamiliar with the digital twin, with the data, and the represented phenomena, and which can involve many of the above specified stakeholder groups. In particular, we want to investigate questions related to the visualization and explanation of these data in immersive environments [1][2] beyond the desktop, such as mixed reality, virtual reality, or possibly large walls. An early book chapter describes a high-level approach to Immersive Data-stories [3] yet largely detached from the technical environments. More recently a survey describes techniques and approaches for Immersive Data-Driven Storytelling [4]. However, as outlined in these existing writings [3,4], we are missing a deliberate and structured approach to immersive data-driven storytelling. Relevant research questions for this PhD include:
- How to visually represent, explain, and allow for exploration of data in immersive environments?
- How to onboard and familiarize people with these immersive environments?
- How to support authoring and creation of compelling stories and experiences in immersive environments, and how are these stories and experiences different from traditional screen-based storytelling?
- What is the effect of immersive environments on people's engagement, understanding, and distracting with respect to the content?
[1] Segel, E., & Heer, J. (2010). Narrative visualization: Telling stories with data. IEEE transactions on visualisation and computer graphics , 16 (6), 1139-1148.
[2]Dwyer, Henry Riche, Klein, Stuerzlinger, Thomas (2016). Immersive Analytics. Report from Dagstuhl Seminar https://drops.dagstuhl.de/storage/04dagstuhl-reports/volume06/issue06/16231/DagRep.6.6.1/DagRep.6.6.1.pdf
[3] Isenberg, P., Lee, B., Qu, H. and Cordeil, M., 2018. Immersive visual data stories. In Immersive analytics (pp. 165-184). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
[4] Méndez, J., Luo, W., Rzayev, R., Büschel, W., & Dachselt, R. (2025). Immersive data-driven storytelling: Scoping an emerging field through the lenses of research, journalism, and games. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics , 31 (10), 6839-6851.
Principales activités
The topic will co-design, develop, and evaluate novel techniques for data visualization and data-driven storytelling and explanation. Where possible we will work with partners in Bordeaux, France, and beyond to i) understand usage scenarios and audiences, to ii) co-design stories and storytelling techniques, and to iii) evaluate our techniques. Design and prototyping is planned in platforms such as Godot (similar to Unity). Evaluation of techniques is planned to happen through mixed methods qualitative and quantitative user-centered evaluations (e.g., usability studies, think-aloud, controlled experiments, longitudinal studies, workshops and focus-groups). Possible outcomes of this PhD can include: design patterns for immersive data-driven storytelling, co-creation methods, system prototypes, empirical findings, conceptual models, etc.
Avantages
- Subsidized meals
- Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
- Possibility of teleworking and flexible organization of working hours
- Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
- Social, cultural and sports events and activities
- Access to vocational training
- Social security coverage
Rémunération
2300€ / month before taxs
