Using Eye-Tracking in Virtual Reality Experiments
Workshop at the University of Mannheim, 23–24 October 2025
The department of Psycholinguistics at the University of Mannheim invites researchers across disciplines to join a two-day workshop exploring the integration of eye-tracking technologies in virtual reality (VR) environments. Eye-tracking has long been used in controlled laboratory settings to provide insights into cognitive processes. However, traditional setups may lack ecological validity. VR opens new avenues by allowing researchers to create immersive yet controlled environments. Integrating eye-tracking in VR presents exciting opportunities but also practical challenges, which this workshop aims to address.
Hosted at the ExpLab of the University of Mannheim on 23–24 October 2025, this workshop will feature talks by experienced researchers, practical sessions (e.g., designing VR environments, collecting and analysing data) and opportunities for participants to present their own research during a poster session.
Invited speakers include:
- Eleanor Huizeling, Max Planck Insitute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen
- Benedikt Kretzmeyer, Department of Experimental Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
- Jonathan Mirault, Ampiric pilot center, Aix-Marseille University
- David Peeters, Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University
- Jella Pfeiffer, Institute for Information Systems, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Jessica Kaiser, University Library, University of Mannheim
- Omar Jubran, Center for Cognitive Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern
Call for abstracts (poster):
Participants are invited to submit an abstract (max. 200 words excluding references, one figure allowed) for one of the two poster sessions. You may present either completed or ongoing research combining eye-tracking and VR, or a study idea or methodological challenge for which feedback is sought. Abstracts will be evaluated based on content quality, clarity, thematic relevant, and (potential) contribution to the field.
Abstract submission deadline: 7 July 2025
Notification of acceptance: 15 July 2025
Abstract submission: via e-mail to eyetrackingvr_workshopuni-mannheim.de
Registration:
Registration will open on the 6th of July. Registration is free but mandatory. A maximum of 30 participants can take part in the workshop. Priority will be given to participants presenting a poster. Non-presenting participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration deadline: 15 September
Contact: eyetrackingvr_workshopuni-mannheim.de
Organiser: Pernelle Lorette
Programme Day 1
23 October
| 09:45 – 10:15 : Registration |
| 10:15 – 10:30 : Opening |
| 10:30 – 11:00 : ExpLAB introduction with Jessica Kaiser |
| 11:00 – 11:30: Coffee break |
| 11:30 – 13:00 : Decoding Consumer Choices: The Predictive Power of Eye-Tracking in Virtual Reality Environments with Jella Pfeiffer |
| 13:00 – 14:15 : Lunch break |
| 14:15 – 15:15 : Poster session |
| 14:15 – 15:15 : Poster session |
| 15:15 – 15:30 : Coffee break |
| 15:30 – 17:30 : Designing an experimental task using eye-tracking in VR with Unity with Jonathan Mirault |
Programme Day 2
24 October
| 10:15 – 11:15 : From Screens to Scenes: Perspectives and Pitfalls of Eye-tracking in VR with Benedikt Kretzmeyer |
| 11:15 – 11.45 : Coffee break |
| 11.45 – 12.45 : Eye-tracking in VR for language research: language prediction and uhh hesitation disfluencies with Eleanor Huizeling & David Peeters |
| 12.45 – 14.15 : Lunch break |
| 14.15 – 15.45 : The Visual Hand Paradigm: Design and Analysis of Eye and Hand Movements in VR using Spatiotemporal Survival Analysis (StSA) with Omar Jubran |
| 15.45 – 16:00 : Conference closing |