About Me

Hi there! I’m David Gollasch, an expert in Human-Centred Design and Digital Accessibility from Dresden.

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As an HCI researcher and trained computer scientist, I am an expert in the core topics of Human-Computer Interaction: usability and user experience, technology acceptance, accessibility, diversity sensitivity, and adaptivity. I bring a human-centred approach to these areas, but above all I provide business-oriented and software-based solutions drawing on my experience in software engineering, modelling and management.

I have engaged in long-standing academic research on these topics, focusing on user groups for whom developing technical solutions presents particular challenges due to the diversity within the group. To this end, I led the AutARK research project at TU Dresden, in which technologies for neurodivergent people, specifically autistic individuals, were developed. My doctoral research focused on developing interaction concepts for Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) to address the challenges of an ageing society.

As co-founder of W12G Digital GmbH, I want to harness the valuable insights from research and my expertise to bridge the gap between industry and academia, and to support companies in developing accessible, human-centred technologies. In doing so, I make a tangible contribution not only to greater inclusion, but also to companies’ economic success.

Handwriting: Let's discuss how I can support your goals. David Gollasch
On this page
  1. Hi there! I'm David Gollasch, an expert in Human-Centred Design and Digital Accessibility from Dresden.
  2. Expertise and Specialisation
  3. My Values and Vision
  4. Professional Background
  5. Current Focus
Accessibility is more than a contribution to inclusion and participation. It is a cornerstone in addressing urgent societal challenges such as demographic change and how we engage with neurodiversity.

Expertise and Specialisation


My work, and with it my professional expertise, brings together the disciplines of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), digital accessibility and software variability. This is an exceptionally useful and also unusual combination. But why?

For those interested, here’s a brief digression: The various sub-disciplines within computer science have grown significantly over recent decades and are becoming increasingly differentiated. This is partly due to complexity, but also to the relevance of highly specialised topics. The development is ongoing: as recently as the 1960s and 1970s, computer science was taught as part of mathematics and only later established itself as an independent academic field. Today there are numerous degree programmes that focus on a sub-discipline of computer science (e.g. applied computer science) or combine subjects (such as media computer science). Historically, an increasingly specialised research community also developed around topics within computer science. In addition to theoretical, practical and technical computer science, specialised application areas (applied computer science) emerged, applying the primarily technical perspective to other disciplines, such as business administration (= business informatics), medicine (= medical computer science) or a combination of cognitive psychology, design, ergonomics and sociology (= Human-Computer Interaction, HCI). The latter emerged especially with the rise of graphical user interfaces, which brought human users of technical systems to the forefront of development. Consequently, the topic of accessibility developed within HCI. Chronologically, we are now in the mid to late 1990s, with many socially significant milestones throughout the 2000s – such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006, followed by the EU Directive on Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services in 2019, and the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which came into force in Germany in 2025.

Back to the point: I have positioned Human-Computer Interaction and digital accessibility within applied computer science. Software variability, however, falls into a different area – software engineering, or more broadly practical computer science as a technical discipline concerned with software development methods, such as model-driven software development. The goal of software variability is to find an optimally balanced solution between user group-adapted software and efficient development – in other words, economic viability. This is precisely what addresses a fundamental challenge in HCI and accessibility: the development of adapted (or even self-adapting, i.e. adaptive) interactive systems repeatedly fails due to economic barriers and ultimately has to be enforced by legislation. The combination of my competency areas makes the difference here. Let me help you flip the script: I offer you methods and solutions that make the development of adaptable and accessible systems a competitive advantage – one that is definitely worthwhile. Win-win.

Expertise across the disciplines of human-computer interaction, digital accessibility, and software variability. I am an expert in software ergonomics for developing user group-tailored and usable interactive systems. Key topics: human-centred design, usability and user experience, technology acceptance, participatory design, Design for All and Universal Design, adaptive user interfaces.
Specialisation in designing for neurodivergent people (including autistic individuals) as well as age-related changes in the needs and preferences of older adults when interacting with technology.
Beyond typical graphical user interfaces, I have particularly focused on two technical areas: good design of voice user interfaces (VUI) and social assistive robots (SARs) – that is, user group-tailored and adaptive human-robot interaction.
I am familiar with applicable regulatory requirements such as standards (e.g. ISO 9241 as a comprehensive standard for software ergonomics), accessibility guidelines (e.g. WCAG and BITV) and relevant legislation in this area (e.g. the German Accessibility Strengthening Act, BFSG).
Beyond accessible system development, assistive technologies play a significant role for many people. They serve, for example, as a bridge to accessibility where the system being used cannot meet or may not be able to meet specific needs. These include software-based solutions such as screen readers and hardware-based solutions such as Braille displays, making computer and smartphone content accessible to blind users. Innovative assistance systems that employ generative artificial intelligence (AI) in intelligent ways hold exceptional promise. This was, among other things, a key focus of my AutARK research project at TU Dresden.
Portraitfoto von David Gollasch
Foto von David im Ratssaal des Andreas-Pfitzmann-Bau der TU Dresden
David vor einer Posterwand, in die Arbeit am Tablet vertieft. Neben ihm steht der kleine Loomo-Roboter, ein selbstbalancierender Segway-Roboter.

My Values and Vision

Greater accessibility benefits far more than just a few – ultimately, it benefits all of us. Measures to improve accessibility to technology usually also improve overall quality and make things easier for everyone. Consider well-structured information, appropriate typography and colour choices.

Participatory design and human-centred methods ensure that we talk with the people involved rather than just talking about them. It creates a voice and participation already during the development process.

While there are now laws and regulations that oblige companies and authorities to take action, I am convinced that this also presents a great opportunity: the implementation of accessibility should not be a necessary evil, but should be approached strategically. In the end, this not only pays off, but also provides the crucial competitive advantage over others. That is what I am here to contribute.

Contemporary. Innovative. Excellent.

Professional Background

I am a computer scientist and researcher in human-computer interaction with a focus on diversity-sensitive design and accessibility.

Through my academic career, I have accumulated many years of experience in project acquisition and management, including budgets in the millions, along with team leadership competencies. I have also built an extensive international network of experts through regular organisation of and participation in international academic events. Furthermore, I have substantial experience in the organisation and delivery of academic teaching and supervision of student projects.

Since my school days, I have worked self-employed on the side and have leveraged my expertise profitably for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). My online courses have reached over 30,000 learners worldwide – with outstanding feedback!

In 2026, together with my co-founder Mathias Gröbe, I launched W12G Digital GmbH – also on a part-time basis. We have created a unique offering in highly sought-after areas: the combination of our extensive expertise in GIS, cartography, human-computer interaction and accessibility enables us to provide comprehensive services in geospatial data processing, the development of accessible solutions and systems, and the intersection of these: the accessibility of map applications.

Links

W12G Digital GmbH
AutARK Research Project

Industry

since 2026

Founding of W12G Digital GmbH in Dresden

– Managing Director (part-time) and Co-Founder
– Business unit “Human-Computer Interaction and Digital Accessibility”
– Provision of services in GIS, cartography, human-computer interaction and digital accessibility. Consulting services, training, support with development projects.

since 2026
since 2017

Self-Employed Computer Scientist in Dresden with focus on professional education and web development

– initially as freelancer, later as sole proprietorship (part-time)
– Delivery of online learning courses in human-computer interaction, such as human-centred design
– Consulting and assessment services in software ergonomics
– Consultation, conception, development and operation of web services

since 2017
2008 to 2016

Self-Employed Web Developer and CAD Draughtsman in Kroppen

– Sole proprietorship (part-time)
– Digital development of technical drawings for planning and construction services
– Consultation, development and operation of web services

2008 to 2016

Research

since 2026

Guest Researcher at TU Dresden

– affiliated with the Chair of Human-Computer Interaction, Institute for Applied Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science, TUD Dresden University of Technology

since 2026
since 2023

Lecturer in Human-Computer Interaction at Duale Hochschule Sachsen (DHSN) in Dresden

– External Lecturer with teaching appointment (part-time)
– Duale Hochschule Sachsen (DHSN), formerly Berufsakademie Sachsen (BA Sachsen) at the Dresden campus
– Delivery of the course module “Human-Computer Interaction” including examination in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Media Informatics
– Supervision and assessment of student theses

since 2023
2023 to 2026

Project Lead of the Research Project “AutARK” as Research Fellow at TU Dresden

– Research Fellow (full-time) at the Chair of Human-Computer Interaction, Institute for Applied Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science, TUD Dresden University of Technology
– Project lead of the BMAS-funded research project “AutARK” – Adaptation of Overwhelming Contexts. Project objective: human-centred development of assistive technologies for autistic employees to improve employment situations in the open labour market.
– Management of all project phases: project acquisition, project planning and development of funding applications, project management, financial oversight, monitoring, reporting, team leadership, stakeholder communication, networking
– Planning and conducting research activities, including studies and interviews, concept development, software modelling
– Publishing research findings, academic discourse and organisation of presentations at international academic conferences in Europe, the USA and Brazil.

2023 to 2026
2016 to 2022

Teaching, Management and Research as Research Fellow at TU Dresden

– Research Fellow (full-time) at the Chair of Human-Computer Interaction, Institute for Applied Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science, TUD Dresden University of Technology
– Organisation and delivery of teaching, particularly in advanced courses for computer science and media informatics students at the chair
– Supervision of student work from project work through to final dissertations
– Project acquisition, organisation and conduct of projects as part of the federal and state excellence strategy, as well as funded by the Free State of Saxony
– Organisation and conduct of international academic events (e.g. multi-day workshop events, conferences and presentations with international participants)

2016 to 2022
2011 to 2015

Multiple roles as Student Research Assistant and later Research Assistant (SHK/WHK)

– Student Research Assistant (SHK), later Research Assistant (WHK) (part-time) at various chairs of the Faculty of Computer Science, TUD Dresden University of Technology
– Tutorial work and exercise leadership
– Support with research projects
– Development and preparation of teaching materials
– Accessible formatting of teaching materials

2011 to 2015

Education

2026

Doctorate in Computer Science at TU Dresden

– Successfully completed doctoral research on 9 April 2026. Formal conferral of degree pending.
– Research on human-robot interaction with older adults (development of needs-based, adaptive interaction concepts for the highly diverse user group of older adults as a particular challenge posed by demographic change and the strained care sector, particularly in the USA and Europe)
– Dissertation: “Usability and Accessibility Assurance for Variable Interactive Systems”

2026
2016

Computer Science degree at TU Dresden with Master of Science (M.Sc.)

– Specialisation in software engineering (e.g. software management, requirements engineering and testing, design patterns and frameworks)
– Final thesis: “Conceptual Variability Management in Software Families with Multiple Contributors”, Grade 1.3 (very good)

2016
2013

Computer Science degree at TU Dresden with Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

– Specialisation in software engineering
– Final thesis: “Quality Assurance by Means of Feature Models”, Grade 1.0 (excellent)

2013
2009

German Abitur (General University Entrance Qualification)

– Secondary school education with mathematics and natural sciences focus (STEM excellence “MINT-EC” school)

2009
Accessibility is still too often viewed as an expensive add-on to existing systems – more of an obligation than a conviction. Yet it is an opportunity that pays off many times over, but it requires the necessary expertise. That is precisely where my work begins.

Current Focus

My current focus is on communicating the insights and results from my long-standing research to the outside world and making them widely known. This serves two purposes: on the one hand, to make a meaningful social contribution; on the other hand, to support companies in understanding accessibility and economic success as mutually reinforcing factors rather than as antagonists. This requires raising awareness of the topic among people, providing further education and actively supporting them, as well as guiding organisations through the corresponding change management process.

Foto von David im Ratssaal des Andreas-Pfitzmann-Bau der TU Dresden am Rednerpult, vor ihm sein Laptop.
Foto von David, auf dem er im mit Menschen gefüllten Raum vorn steht und einen Vortrag hält.
Zwei Personen (David Gollasch rechterhand und Mathias Gröbe links im Bild) stehen einander zugewandt im Freien und unterhalten sich lächelnd. Sie lehnen locker an einem Geländer, im Hintergrund sind unscharf die Elbe, Bäume und Gebäude der Dresdner Stadtsilhouette zu erkennen. Das Bild vermittelt Zusammenarbeit und einen harmonischen Austausch.
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