Each year, only a small number of international scholars are elected following a rigorous nomination and review process administered by ACM SIGCHI. The 2026 awardees will be celebrated at CHI 2026 in Barcelona. 

See full list of 2026 ACM SIGCHI Awards and Special Recognitions: https://medium.com/sigchi/2026-acm-sigchi-awards-and-special-recognitions-d942983d9228

Niklas and Kaj’s induction to the ACM SIGCHI Academy places them among an international group of researchers whose work has shaped HCI research, education and practice worldwide.

A strong Danish tradition in HCI

With this recognition, Aarhus University continues its long-standing presence in the SIGCHI Academy. Current and previous ACM SIGCHI Academy members with ties to Danish institutions include:

• Hans Gellersen (Aarhus University and Lancaster University) - inducted 2024
• Kasper Hornbæk (University of Copenhagen) - inducted 2020
• Susanne Bødker (Aarhus University) - inducted 2010
• Jakob Nielsen (Nielsen Norman Group, formerly Aarhus University and DTU - Technical University of Denmark) - inducted 2006
• Morten Kyng (Aarhus University/Alexandra Institute) - inducted 2001

The induction of Niklas Elmqvist and Kaj Grønbæk into the SIGCHI Academy highlights decades of impactful scholarship, leadership and community engagement in human–computer interaction at Aarhus University.

Congratulations to both on this well-deserved international recognition.

About Niklas Elmqvist

Niklas Elmqvist is a full professor of Computer Science at Aarhus University and a Villum Investigator. His research spans data visualisation, human-computer interaction and human-centred AI.

He received his PhD from Chalmers University in 2006 and previously held faculty positions at the University of Maryland and Purdue University. His work has received best paper awards at leading venues such as ACM CHI, IEEE VIS and ACM DIS.

Beyond his research contributions, Niklas has played a significant leadership role in the field. He has served as papers chair and overall papers chair for IEEE VIS, subcommittee chair for ACM CHI, and holds editorial roles in major visualisation journals. In addition to joining the SIGCHI Academy, he is an ACM and IEEE Fellow and a member of the IEEE VGTC Visualization Academy.

Reflecting on the recognition, he writes: “Proud and humbled to be joining this illustrious group of people. I’ve looked up to the members of the CHI Academy since my first CHI in 2006. It’s a good 20-year anniversary!”

About Kaj Grønbæk

Kaj Grønbæk received his PhD in Computer Science from Aarhus University in 1991 and became full professor in 1999. Since 2018, he has served as Head of the Department of Computer Science at Aarhus University.

His research spans participatory design, hypermedia, interactive spaces and augmented reality. His early work focused on methods and tools for directly involving users in the design of interactive systems. Later research explored open hypermedia systems and interaction techniques for interactive tables, walls and floors. More recently, his projects have focused on empowering industrial workers through virtual and augmented reality technologies grounded in user-centred design methods.

Kaj has secured substantial research funding and served as principal investigator on several large projects. From 2009 to 2018, he was part-time Lab Manager at the Alexandra Institute, conducting applied research and digital product development. He has also been involved in founding two spin-out companies. In 2007, he co-founded the IT Product Development programme at Aarhus University, combining computer science with physical product design.