Rebecca, 29 years, born in Germany

 

I have always been fascinated by the way humans communicate with each other. I know that my family often has to stop me from analyzing too much of what they are trying to say to me. It sometimes turns them crazy (so sorry!).

Throughout the past years, my interest in the upbringing of the new generation and in the demands our society raises for (digital) child- and parenthood has grown a lot. At the same time, I am also very fascinated by how we communicate not only through but with all the technicial entities that are popping up everywhere (think smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, robots…). Sometimes, we experience the interactions with today’s tech still as something quite novel, other times we naturally do so on a daily basis as if we have never done someting else. I wonder… what do we want to teach the children of tomorrow about this?

Inspired by this question, I have seen my path as a researcher and advisor unfold over the past years.
During my master thesis (read here), in which I investigated whether customizing a chatbot (i.e., its look, persona, and interests) can improve users’ trust in it, I discovered not only my passion for the topic of conversational technology, but also for doing research in the social sciences. There, my wish to pursue my doctoral studies was born. Then, one thing led to another, and I moved to beautiful Amsterdam to be working on my PhD dissertation at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research. I wanted to find out how parents see and deal with the emerging phenomenon of smart speakers in the family home (read here).

But smart speakers are of course not the only technology that has gained momentum in the space of many families. Other technologies, such as television, smartphones, tablets have become much more deeply integrated by now. In my role as a senior adviser and researchers at the Nederlands Jeugdinstituut on growing up and raising kids online I now broaden my perspective. Ultimately my mission is to contribute to a solid knowledge base for parents, youth, policy makers, and professionals to more confidently navigate the today’s online space.

Outside this work, I relax with my knitting projects, dive into my yoga practice, upcycle old clothing, declutter our home, or visit new places with my partner.

“I may not be able to live up to your expectations
because I have set up my own milestones.”

– Debasish Mridha

  • Senior adviser & researcher growing up and raising kids online @Nederlands Jeugdinstituut, The Netherlands

    Since December 2024

    • Content-expert on growing up and raising kids online
    • Member of the team 'Opgroeien en Opvoeden' and involved in the portfolio '(online en fysieke) Leefomgeving'

  • PhD Communication Science @University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    September 2020 - November 2024

    My responsibilities:
    • Researcher in the Youth and Media Entertainment Group
    • Member of the Digital Society Initiative
    • Lecturer in Communication Science study programs (B.S. & M.Sc.)
    • Member of the sHAI lab group @Radboud University (since 2018)
    • Member of the CHAT lab group @PennState University (since 2022)
    • Member of the taskforce on Recognition & Rewards (Feb. 2024 - Nov. 2024)
    • Organizer of the CeCoR @ASCoR talk series (Jan. 2021 - Aug. 2022)
    • Member of the Young Scholar Network Steering Committee at NeFCA (Feb. 2022 - Feb. 2023)
    • Editor of the ComCom blog (Nov. 2021 - Mar. 2023)
    • PhD representative at ASCoR (Mar. 2023 - Mar. 2024)

  • Data Scientist @Y.Digital, The Netherlands

    May - July 2020

    I followed the team in their development of AI-solutions for business cases, while getting first practical training in git/GitHub and Python. The time at Y. was a fascinating experience for me, which brought me out of my (academic) comfort zone. Read about it here.

  • M.Sc. Behavioral Science (Research) @Radboud University, The Netherlands

    2018 - 2020, Cum Laude

    Minor Thesis: Custom-Made Chatbots for the User by the User. The Potential of User-Chatbot-Customization for the Development of Trust.
    Supervised by Dr. Evelien Heijselaar & Prof. Tibor Bosse

    Minor Thesis: What About Adults? Perceptions and Implementations of Social Network Roles in Organizational Settings. A Partial Replication of a Multi-Method Assessment.
    Supervised by Prof. Antonius Cillessen (Toon)

  • Speaker @University of Glasgow, Scotland

    November 2019

    As a member of the sHAI lab group at Radboud University I was invited to talk about my research master project. Together with my colleagues we visited the social robotics research lab in Glasgow to exchange insights and strengthen future collaborations.

  • Pilgrim on the Camino Portugues @Portugal & Spain

    Summer 2019

    The two weeks walking 260 km on the Camino Portugues have probably been one of the most meaningful times of my life so far. I traveled alone. I traveled only with the plan to arrive in Santiago de Compostela at some point. Everything between was open. This challenged me in a lot of ways, but the fruits of this challenge I carry with me until today. Click here to watch some of my favorite moments of this journey.

  • Student Assistant @BSI Radboud University, The Netherlands

    October 2019 - May 2020

    As the assistant at the BSI Office, I was responsible for:

    • Event Management - e.g. Organization of colloquia and network events
    • Financial administration of participant reimbursements
    • Website - CMS

  • B.A. Communication Science @WWU Muenster, Germany

    2015 - 2018

    Thesis: Nudging – the Disputed Impulsion for Optimized Behavior. A Contemplation of Choice Architecture in Respect of Positive and Negative Consequences From the Communication Science’s Point of View.
    Supervised by Prof. Volker Gehrau

    (Study program and thesis were followed in German)

  • Head of Marketing/PR @Enactus Muenster, Germany

    October 2015 - July 2018

    As the head of the Marketing/PR Ressort:

    • I was responsible for project management tasks
    • I helped developing Social-Media content for Facebook and Instagram
    • I designed recruitment campaigns and helped organizing promotion events
    • I was responsible for photo-/videography
    • I supported the team in designing and layouting annual reports for the yearly National Cup

  • Volunteer @United Through Sports, South Africa

    August - October 2014

    Together with other international volunteers, I supported township schools in Port Elizabeth as a teacher in sports, Maths, English, and life skills courses and was given the chance to help in the talent-advancement program. My time at UTS was extremely special and I am immensely grateful for this experience.

  • Federal Voluntary Service @University Hospital Bonn, Germany

    November 2014 - April 2015

    As a federal volunteer within the Media and Communication department at the University Hospital Bonn, I was trained in writing press releases, administrating merchandise products, and co-authoring for the internal company magazine.

  • Exchange Student @Avondale College, New Zealand

    July - October 2011

    During High School, I was given the chance to spend one term at the Avondale College in Auckland, New Zealand. Besides getting the chance to experience school in a different culture (including school uniform, special courses, and a new language), I formed a close bond with my hostfamily (which lasts until today), met wonderful people from all around the world, and saw the most impressive nature scenery.