Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational individuals from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Jessica Bitter, Research Associate, LoGaCulture Project at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences. She speaks about following an unconventional career path, using Augmented Reality to create engaging cultural experiences, and the importance of curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking and learning from failure when building a career in technology and research. Read more about Jessica here:
Hi Jessica!  You studied media management, computer science and media technology, and you are now working as a researcher and PhD candidate in Augmented Reality and Serious Games.
Looking back, what inspired you to explore these different fields, and how have these
experiences shaped the way you approach your work today?

I’ve always been interested in how things work “under the hood.” So when I started my in media management, I wanted to learn more about the technical aspects I was learning to manage. That’s why I first studied computer science and then took media technology as my second and third majors alongside media management. I’d say I’m still very interested in technical processes, and that shapes my  approach to new projects.

Usually, I like to start by breaking a project down into its individual parts and taking a look at how it works from the inside. Knowing how all the cogs in a machine work together is very helpful for interdisciplinary work. And by “machine,” I also mean teams. Knowing what the individual tasks entail in terms of workflows helps me lead a team and understand the individual needs of team members.

I’m fortunate to be able to work in an interdisciplinary manner during my doctoral studies—both in terms of my teammates in the research group and myself. My work includes programming, game design, and audio design, as well as on-site visits to the museum to test the games with real visitors. And, of course, academic research. My interdisciplinary background definitely helps me properly assess all aspects of a new project and decide how to approach them.

Your work combines technology, creativity and social impact. Through projects like LoGaCulture, you explore how Augmented Reality and digital experiences can help people connect with cultural heritage in new ways. What inspires you about this work, and what possibilities do you see for the future of immersive technologies?

I believe that new technologies in general have the potential to enrich cultural heritage sites. Immersive technologies in particular, such as augmented reality, can complement physical exhibits with games and other interactive elements, conveying complex topics in a playful and easy-to-understand way. Technologies like these could ensure that the next generation also enjoys visiting museums because the experience feels modern.

As for the augmented reality hardware currently available, I believe we still have a long way to go. Museums often rely on visitors bringing their own smartphones and accessing digital content via QR codes. Although the augmented reality headsets currently available offer a more immersive experience in the virtual world and greater freedom when exploring an exhibition (you can walk around with your hands free and enjoy a wider field of view), virtually no one (pun intended ;)) brings their personal VR headset to the museum. I believe that the type of technology we carry with us on a daily basis will change in the future, and that museums will adapt their digital content accordingly.

Looking back on your path from student to researcher and developer, what are some of the most important lessons you have learned along the way? And what advice would you give to others who are interested in building a career in technology, games or research?

The most important lesson I’ve learned during my research is that there’s always a way. I’ve learned to be patient and to trust that problems can be solved, perhaps in unexpected ways. To others who are interested in a Ph.D. or a career in technology, especially women, I’d like to offer this advice: Don’t be afraid; instead, be curious and believe in yourselves, even if others may be skeptical. Also, be prepared to fail—often—so you can learn from it. That’s perfectly okay, and I believe a better culture of failure would help us all. The great thing about research is that failure is a positive thing: you can report on it in scientific articles and learn from it. And if you feel like your career path is unconventional,all the better! Teams thrive when their members bring interdisciplinary expertise to the table

Thanks for this interview, Jessica!

Jessica’s links: LinkedIn

 

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger