Interactive systems engineering develops the technical foundations that enable rich, multi-device interactive experiences. This field combines systems programming, distributed computing, and interface design to create platforms where users can fluidly move between devices, share digital artifacts, and collaborate across physical and virtual spaces. ISE researchers build the infrastructure that makes seamless cross-device interaction possible.

Aarhus University leads this field through Webstrates, a revolutionary platform that treats webpages as shared, programmable documents. Webstrates enables live collaboration where multiple users can simultaneously edit not just content but the underlying code and structure of interactive applications. This technology stack supports everything from collaborative coding environments to cross-device user interfaces that adapt as users move between phones, tablets, and large displays. Our approach dissolves traditional boundaries between documents, applications, and programming environments.

Interactive systems engineering research enables new forms of collaboration and creativity that transcend device limitations. Webstrates has been adopted by research groups worldwide for prototyping interactive systems and conducting collaborative studies. The technology democratizes software development by making it easier for non-programmers to customize their digital tools. Current applications include educational platforms where students and teachers co-create interactive learning materials, and design studios where teams iterate on prototypes in real-time across multiple devices.