معرفی
Pia Tikka is a Research Professor at the Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School, Tallinn University, Estonia. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary work in neurocinematics, enactive cinema, and cognitive film studies. She leads the five-year research project "Cinematic minds behind-the-scenes," funded by the Estonian Research Institute (PRG2109), exploring filmmakers' creative processes through neurophenomenology. She also directs the Enactive Virtuality Lab at the MEDIT Centre of Excellence. Previously, she managed EU-funded projects like the Mobilitas Plus Top Researcher initiative (MOBTT90) studying viewer co-presence in virtual reality. Tikka holds a Doctor's Degree from Aalto University (2008) and has over four decades of experience as a filmmaker, including feature films, documentaries, and interactive cinema installations.
Education highlights include a PhD in Arts (Aalto University, 2008), an M.A. in Cinematography (Helsinki Film School, 1996), and early training in graphic design (1980s). Awards include the 2016 Adjunct Professor title from the University of Lapland and lifetime fellowships in cognitive film studies. Her creative work integrates innovative interactive formats, such as the Enactive Avatar and installations like Obsession, recognized with Prix Möbius awards (2006).
Research focuses on neural mechanisms of narrative engagement, embodied cognition in film, and human-robot interaction. Key projects include neuroimaging studies of film comprehension and hybrid intelligence applications in asylum interviews. Supervision includes guiding postdocs, doctoral, and MA students in film and media studies. Tikka collaborates internationally, chairs editorial boards (e.g., Projections: The Journal for Movies and Mind), and presents at conferences such as ICIDS and CILECT.
