Prof. Dr. Vanessa Cesário | Cultural Heritage | Best Researcher Award
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Cesário | Cultural Heritage – Professor at University of Madeira, Portugal
Professor Vanessa Quintal Cesário is a distinguished academic and researcher in the fields of Digital Media and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a career marked by interdisciplinary innovation and a strong commitment to bridging technology with human-centered design. Her work lies at the intersection of communication, media, and interactive systems, where she explores how digital platforms influence user behavior, interaction patterns, and accessibility. With years of academic service, she has cultivated a reputation for leadership, research excellence, and impactful collaboration across national and international projects, contributing significantly to the development of media literacy and technological engagement.
Profile:
Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar
Education:
Vanessa Quintal Cesário pursued her academic journey through a blend of communication sciences and digital technology. She earned her Doctorate in Digital Media from the University of Porto, a degree conferred in collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Lisbon under the auspices of the International Digital Media Program. Her educational background reflects a robust foundation in media studies, enriched by interdisciplinary exposure to HCI, cognitive psychology, and interactive design. This academic trajectory has equipped her with both theoretical depth and practical insights into the evolving landscape of digital communication.
Experience:
Professor Cesário is currently affiliated with the Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI), where she lectures in the Department of Communication, Philosophy, and Politics. Beyond teaching, she has held multiple roles in research and development units, including active participation in LabCom – Comunicação e Artes, a leading Portuguese research center. She has collaborated with international teams on projects funded by the European Union and national funding agencies, contributing to innovations in interactive storytelling, augmented reality, and usability testing. Her experience includes organizing academic conferences, supervising postgraduate research, and contributing to editorial boards, affirming her leadership in both academic and applied settings.
Research Interest:
Her research interests center around digital media interaction, usability, user experience (UX), accessibility, and the application of HCI principles to improve the inclusivity and effectiveness of technological systems. She is particularly passionate about exploring how media design influences cognition, emotional response, and engagement. Her recent work delves into immersive environments and augmented reality, evaluating how emerging technologies can enhance learning and communication. She also investigates the ethical dimensions of digital interface design and advocates for inclusivity and equity in digital content.
Award:
Professor Cesário has been recognized for her academic contributions through various honors and distinctions. She has participated in multiple award-winning research projects and received fellowships from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for her doctoral and post-doctoral work. Her contributions to digital media research have earned her invitations to keynote events and scientific committees. Moreover, her work on user interface evaluation has been spotlighted in collaborative European research programs, underscoring her impact on advancing media literacy and user-centered design.
Publication:
She has authored a range of scholarly articles and book chapters in renowned journals and conferences. Notable recent publications include:
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Bridging Cultural Gaps: Insights from Communication in Migrant-Inclusive Cultural Initiatives
Year: 2025
Type: Journal Article
Published in: Societies
Authors: Vanessa Cesário, Pedro Campos -
Hearing Heritage: Conveying and Preserving Cultural Expressions
Year: 2025
Type: Book Chapter
Publisher: Springer Authors: Mariana Fernandes, Pedro Campos, Vanessa Cesário -
Empowering Cultural Heritage Professionals: Designing Interactive Exhibitions with Authoring Tools
Year: 2025 Type: Journal Article Published in: Museum Management and Curatorship Authors: Vanessa Cesário, João Freitas, Pedro Campos -
The Integrated Museum Engagement Model (IMEM): Bridging Participatory Design, Immersive Storytelling, and Digital Representation
Year: 2024 Type: Journal Article Published in: The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum Authors: Vanessa Cesário, Pedro Campos -
Assessing Stress Reduction of Relaxation Gaming: Investigating the Interrelation of Gamification, Advertising Intrusion and Stress Responses in Master’s Students
Year: 2024 Type: Book Chapter Publisher: Springer Authors: Catarina Santos Faria, Vanessa Cesário, Pedro Filipe Campos, Muhammad Satar, Teresa Alvadia -
Exploring the Intersection of Storytelling, Localisation, and Immersion in Video Games – A Case Study of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
Year: 2023 Type: Book Chapter Publisher: Springer Authors: Vanessa Cesário, Mariana Ribeiro, António Coelho -
Vintage Meets Modern: A Retro-Inspired Audio Guestbook for Event Communication
Year: 2023 Type: Journal Article Published in: EUSSET – Computer Supported Cooperative Work Author: Vanessa Cesário
Conclusion:
Professor Vanessa Quintal Cesário stands out as a leading figure in Digital Media and HCI research, contributing with clarity, depth, and societal relevance. Her interdisciplinary approach, academic leadership, and devotion to improving digital systems for diverse populations make her a deserving nominee for this award. With a balanced portfolio of teaching, research, and service, she continues to shape the discourse on how technology can be made more inclusive, intuitive, and empowering. Her achievements reflect not just personal excellence but also a broader vision for advancing digital interaction in meaningful ways.