"a new beginning"
Hey there! I’m picking up blogging again, this time with a bit of a shift — new chapter, new role, new thoughts. So I figured I’d kick things off with a quick intro: who I am, what I’m up to, and what brought me here.
the lore
After finishing my master’s in communication science in October 2024, things moved fast. I started collaborating with Prof. Dr. Tobias Dienlin, and soon after, we submitted my freshly defended thesis to ICA 2025, one of the major conferences in our field. We then continued our collaboration with a follow-up study.
In spring 2025, I was offered a PhD and research & teaching position in Prof. Dienlin’s team (Media Psychology & Methods Division) at IKMZ, University of Zurich. I accepted without hesitation.
What started as a quiet idea in my master’s thesis is now shaping the next three years of research. I’m grateful to be diving deeper into questions I care about, and to do so with thoughtful mentorship and support.
why academia?
Now, it’s not like some people already in the game haven’t warned me:
Oh well.
On a more serious note: I won’t dive into topics like precarious working conditions or academia’s intense competitiveness in this post — though those are very real and important conversations. Instead, I want to focus on what draws me in. What fascinates me about research and the process of doing it. That fascination is something I want to keep at the center of everything I do.
why communication science?
Since my early school days, I’ve been fascinated by how media affects us. Back then, I didn’t know the first thing about media effects research. But, my curiosity was sparked during high school history classes. Especially when learning about propaganda in the Third Reich.
At the same time, I was (and still am) a passionate media user myself — especially when it comes to interactive media such as video games.
That fascination eventually led me, at age 17, to make a decision. I wanted to study communication science and take the leap to the big city. In my case: Vienna.
why media psychology, computer-mediated communication (CMC) and AI?
Now, I could really dive into the nitty-gritty here, but I’ll try to keep it short and simple. This field sits right at the intersection of my two biggest passions: communication science and all things tech — computers, devices, and everything in between.
My current focus? I am exploring how people form (para)social relationships with conversational AI. I am curious how these interactions shape the way we relate to the technology, to ourselves, and even to one another. It’s a topic I first explored during my master’s thesis, and it’s one I’ll continue to work on throughout my PhD and beyond. How wonderful!
why open science?
During a master’s seminar at the University of Vienna, Prof. Dienlin dropped what I can only describe as a knowledge bomb about open science. And let’s just say — it hit me like a lightning bolt.
I happily signed the Agenda for Open Science. I value truth, whatever the truth may be, and transparency in all aspects of life. It only makes sense to extend those values and related practices to my research.!
what’s next?
As I settle into this new chapter here in Zurich, I feel excited. I am also curious — and carrying a healthy dose of humility. There’s so much to learn, to question, and to figure out. I hope to keep sharing bits and pieces of that journey here.
Whether you’re here because we share similar research interests, you’re navigating your own path through academia, or you’re just curious about my projects and some methods talk — welcome. Maybe you’re even here for the occasional personal detour (yes, I’m talking about you, data sim project). Either way, I’m glad you’re here.
Here’s to new beginnings!
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