Media Technology

Prof. Bas Haring

“I believe it is important that students do ‘their own thing’. They then become inspired, which results in greater diversity.”

“Scientific research is often characterised by large scale projects which are carried out in a highly structured fashion. I consider it important to create a place for small scale projects which might be considered as rather whimsical. Where scientists work as artists. The Media Technology programme is such a place, where the Faculty of Science and the Academy for Creative and Performing Arts work together. This programme fits well in Leiden: it is very classical to combine art and science.

I want to teach students how science works, and show them that in their own way they, too, can make a contribution to science. Our students can make their own decisions about what interests them. Their research does not have to result in a paper: it may also be a product. In information technology, research often leads to a product, such as a game or an installation. I believe it is important that students do ‘their own thing’. They then become inspired, which results in greater diversity.

My personal motivation is to ensure that science is better understood; so that we all become a bit more knowledgeable. Personally, I try to achieve this by writing books, like Cheese & Theory of Evolution and Iron Will.”