معرفی
Mela Kocher is a Senior Researcher in Game Design at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she also serves as Deputy Head of E-Learning and Project Manager of Ludic Didactics. Her work focuses on the intersection of play, games, and education, particularly in the development of experimental teaching formats that integrate digital tools and spaces through gamification and playification.
- PhD in Philosophy (University of Zurich, 2004)
- Licentiate in German Language and Literature, Computational Linguistics, and General History (University of Zurich, 2000)
Her research explores the cultural and societal significance of games, emphasizing their role in fostering key skills for learning. She has led projects such as the SNSF-funded "Confederation Ludens: Swiss Game Design History 1980–2000" and developed games like "LucyZH" and "WunderKeeper" to address educational and urban engagement challenges.
Mela Kocher's publications and projects span transmedia storytelling, alternate reality games, narrative mechanics, and the aesthetics of interactive media. She has collaborated internationally, including affiliations with the University of Lausanne, University of Bern, and institutions in Sweden and the U.S., focusing on digital humanities and innovative pedagogy.
At ZHdK, she supervises PhD students in the SNSF Sinergia project and mentors game design learners. Her research has been supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and institutions like the Mobile Life Center in Stockholm and UC San Diego's Center for Research in Computing and the Arts (CRCA).
Mela Kocher is actively involved in labs such as GameLab ZHdK, which drives experimental game design projects. Her collaborative efforts extend to the Swiss Institute for Children's and Youth Media (SIKJM), where she has held leadership roles in shaping media literacy and interactive learning initiatives.
