How to Get Involved with t2i Lab (t2i.se)

t2i is a computer science and design research laboratory founded in 2004 by Morten Fjeld, who still leads the group. It has two locations: the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the Department of Information Science and Media Studies at the University of Bergen (UiB) in Bergen, Norway. The lab explicitly states that it welcomes students of all levels to take part in its research projects and activities, so the practical path to involvement runs through its Programs, Research-Projects, and Team pages, plus the open positions announced in its news feed.

Who t2i is (and why that shapes how you join)

t2i describes itself as a research laboratory developing new technologies for collaboration, entertainment, and novel experiences. Its research scope started with tangible computing and interactive tabletops and has expanded to include virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), mobile computing, data visualization, social robotics, and aerial drones. The Bergen site focuses specifically on VR/AR in maritime activities and interactivity in responsible media production and use.

Because the lab spans engineering, design, and people-oriented research, involvement is not limited to one discipline. That matters when you decide which location and which project to approach.

Ways to get involved

1. Join as a student through the Programs page

The site lists an "Our Programs" section alongside Research-Projects and Our Team. The lab's own statement is the key eligibility signal: "We welcome students of all levels to take part in our research projects and activities." If you are an undergraduate, master's, or doctoral student, the Programs page is the intended starting point for understanding what participation looks like.

2. Contribute to a current research project

The "Research X Learning" section states that research at t2i covers interaction design with emerging interactive technologies, including mobile computing, augmented reality, large displays, interactive surfaces, and robotics, and points to a "Current Projects" page. Reading current projects before contacting anyone lets you name a specific topic rather than a general interest — useful when the lab's scope is this broad.

3. Apply to announced open positions

The news feed is where openings appear. A November 10, 2022 item is titled "Two Open Positions Await You to Join t2i!" This confirms that paid or formal positions are announced publicly on the site rather than only through internal channels. Check the news section for the latest postings, since the listed items are dated and newer ones may exist.

4. Follow the lab's academic activity

News items also show the kind of academic milestones the lab participates in, including PhD thesis defences (for example, Yuchong Zhang's defence on May 30, 2023, and Tomasz Kosinski's doctoral defence on September 17, 2021) and conference presentations such as ACM Interactive Surfaces and Spaces (ACM ISS 2021) in Łódź, Poland, and a SIGCHI Paris talk titled "From Tabletops to In-Motion Interaction." If you are a prospective PhD student, these entries indicate the lab's doctoral pipeline and the venues it publishes and presents at.

Choosing between the two locations

If your interest is maritime VR/AR or responsible media, the Bergen focus is the closer match. For the lab's broader interaction-design and emerging-technology work, either site may host relevant projects — confirm with the specific project or team member.

Practical steps

1. Read the Research-Projects page to identify a project aligned with your skills.
2. Read the Programs page to see which student level and format fits you.
3. Check the news feed for open positions and recent activity.
4. Review the Team page to find the researcher whose work matches your interest.
5. Reach out with a specific reference to a project or posting rather than a general enquiry.

Common sticking points

• The site's dated news. The most recent items shown are from 2023. Open positions listed there may be filled; treat them as evidence of how the lab recruits, not as current vacancies.
• Two countries, two departments. Applying to "t2i" is not a single action — the Swedish and Norwegian sites sit in different faculties with different administrative processes.
• No published pricing or application-fee information. The page evidence does not describe costs, funding, or login requirements for programs, so confirm those details directly rather than assuming.

For anything beyond what the site states — deadlines, funding, supervision availability — contact the lab or the relevant team member directly.