Dr. Micha Cárdenas stands at a fascinating crossroads where art, technology, and dedicated activism converge. As an Assistant Professor within the Art and Design: Games and Playable Media program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, she brings a unique perspective to the academic landscape, guiding students and pushing creative boundaries.
Central to her work at UC Santa Cruz is her direction of the Critical Realities Studio. This innovative space is dedicated to exploring how multi-reality technologies can be harnessed to engage with and illuminate pressing global challenges, constantly seeking new ways to perceive and interact with the world around us.
Her research spans a wide and forward-thinking spectrum. She delves into the potential of games not just as entertainment, but as powerful vehicles for artistic expression and social activism. Her interests also extend to the intricate world of algorithmic analysis, examining the systems that shape our digital lives.
Furthermore, Dr. Cárdenas is deeply involved with the expansive possibilities offered by XR, VR, and AR technologies. Her work consistently aims to leverage the immersive power of these tools to inspire meaningful social change and thoughtfully challenge established ways of thinking and interacting. Through these technological explorations, she crafts experiences designed to provoke deep reflection and encourage active engagement.
In the classroom, Dr. Cárdenas cultivates an environment built on open dialogue, creative exploration, and collaborative effort. Her teaching philosophy is thoughtfully shaped by decolonial, queer, and transfeminist perspectives, creating a supportive and inclusive space where students feel empowered to explore complex ideas and express themselves authentically.
Her dedication is evident in her commitment to nurturing a vibrant community of learners prepared to tackle challenging issues through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches. Dr. Cárdenas's ongoing work continues to be a source of inspiration for both her students and colleagues, making significant and impactful contributions across the fields of art, design, and technology.
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The University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California. It is one of the ten campuses in the University of California system. Located on Monterey Bay, on the edge of the coastal community of Santa Cruz, the campus lies on 2,001 acres (810 ha) of rolling, forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In Fall 2022, its ten residential colleges enroll some 17,500 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students.
The University of California Santa Cruz Art and Art History Department provides a dynamic environment for exploring visual expression and critical analysis within a globally recognized university setting in Santa Cruz, California. It offers comprehensive undergraduate programs leading to Bachelor of Arts degrees in both studio art and the history of art and visual culture. The department fosters creativity, intellectual rigor, and a deep understanding of the visual world through hands-on practice, scholarly inquiry, and a strong interdisciplinary approach. With accomplished faculty bringing diverse perspectives, the programs prepare students for a wide range of paths in the arts and beyond, emphasizing critical thinking and engagement with contemporary issues.
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