Introducing Dr. sc. ing. Arnis Cīrulis
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. sc. ing. Arnis Cīrulis to the GRACE team! With over a decade of hands-on experience and academic research, Arnis brings a wealth of knowledge in developing cutting-edge VR/AR technologies. As Associate Professor and Leading Researcher at our partner institution Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), Arnis is set to strengthen the GRACE programme with practical insights, innovative thinking, and a forward-looking perspective.
From an Emerging Field to a Driving Force in XR
Arnis holds a doctoral degree in Engineering Sciences in the field of Information Technology from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Nearly 15 years ago, he began his academic journey into VR/AR—long before it became the widely recognised field it is today.
He developed ViA’s master’s programme Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies, and his early doctoral research focused on dynamic scenario generation and human–technology interaction—topics that are even more relevant now in the age of artificial intelligence and personalised learning environments.
“What I began over 15 years ago continues to evolve. These technologies are gaining form, recognition, and practical relevance across society.”
A Foundational Role in GRACE
Even before GRACE was officially launched, Arnis played a key role in establishing our cross-institutional collaboration. During a study visit to Austria, he met with Dr. Thomas Moser from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and introduced the work of ViA’s XR team. The meeting left a lasting impression and contributed to the strong foundations that now underpin our joint master’s programme.
“I’m proud that the work of our researchers has been recognised and valued. GRACE unites strong universities at the European level, and it’s an honour to be part of that.”
– Arnis Cīrulis
Strengthening the XR Expertise in GRACE
Since those early days, Arnis has helped build an experienced and committed team of XR professionals within our GRACE partner ViA. What began as a solo effort has grown into a stable, interdisciplinary group of around ten researchers, senior researchers, assistants, and lecturers—all contributing to the GRACE programme.
Their expertise spans a wide range of topics, including:
- VR/AR system architecture
- Simulation-based training
- Gamified safety scenarios
- Multi-user environments and spatial UX
- Digital twins and data visualisation
- Wearable sensor integration
- AI-supported XR platforms
“While these technologies can seem abstract at first, our work is fundamentally practical and interdisciplinary. From cultural heritage to medicine, from museums to smart industry—we’re applying immersive tools to make a real difference.”
Collaboration and Learning Go Both Ways
Arnis strongly believes that master’s students should be active collaborators in research and development. Within GRACE, he looks forward to working with students as partners in innovation—bringing fresh questions, perspectives, and energy to the learning process.
“They’re curious, motivated, and eager to grow—and that makes a big difference. GRACE challenges us as educators too. It keeps us on our toes, and I look forward to developing the curriculum side-by-side with our students.”
Looking Ahead: New Possibilities with XR
Through GRACE, Arnis hopes to see the next generation of XR professionals graduate with both strong technical knowledge and the ability to apply it meaningfully in society. From research and development to applied industry projects, the potential is enormous.
“It’s no longer about fear of change or competing in a new job market—it’s about opportunities. These tools allow us to improve processes, enhance learning, and unlock entirely new possibilities.”
– Arnis Cīrulis
Please join us in welcoming Dr. sc. ing. Arnis Cīrulis to the GRACE team!
Want to learn more about his work or explore collaboration opportunities within GRACE? Feel free to reach out or connect via LinkedIn.
Most Recent Publications by A. Cīrulis
- Zariņš, Ē., Cīrulis, A. Provision of multiuser capabilities for virtual reality environments. In: IEEE Workshop on Advances in Information, Electronic and Electrical Engineering (AIEEE), 2024. DOI: 10.1109/AIEEE62837.2024.10586644
- Mišjuns, A., Cīrulis, A. Creation of virtual reality experiences for the web: shader programming for artists. In: IEEE Workshop on Advances in Information, Electronic and Electrical Engineering (AIEEE), 2024. DOI: 10.1109/AIEEE62837.2024.10586603
- Cīrulis, A., Taube, L., Amsons, T., Sokolovs, A. Data collection and preparation of feedback in virtual reality training systems. In: HCI International 2023, 25th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 2023. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-48060-7_3
