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"We have to get it right"
Professor of Multimedia and Internet Technology
TU/e founded a new chair in Multimedia and Internet
Technology this year. The Mathematics and Computer Science department
chose Professor Lynda Hardman for this prestigious post. She is
one of the people on the cutting-edge of research in the field.
"This technology is really going to make a historical difference.
So we have to get it right", she comments.
Hardman will be part of the Databases
and Hypermedia research group, working on technology to fuse the
functions of PC, telephone, TV and other equipment. "This
is something that has been theoretically possible for a while
now, but the technology is not quite there yet", says Hardman.
"You will be using this new technology in five years time
whether you like it or not."
"In a nutshell: we're interested in how to make use of computer
power to bring information to users in the way they want it. Enriching
the information culture that we have. Creating a true information
environment. We want to make multimedia as accessible as HTML
has made hypermedia. We call it the XMLisation of multimedia."
"In the years ahead, the general public will see video and
audio included in the information environment in a more useful
way. Video not only for games, but to clarify certain processes.
My favourite example is how watching a cooking program can show
you certain techniques you won't learn from a book. Visualising
things can give a different perspective. Complex systems as found
in the human body or a nuclear power station can be much more
effectively understood in this way."
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Lynda Hardman (40) is one of two new female professors starting
work at TU/e this academic year. This university now has a grand
total to 6 female professors, out of professorial population of
about 200. "We actually have more women than men in our group",
says colleague Professor Paul De Bra. "Some people say I
hire more women on purpose, but I just want the best people."
Hardman also heads the Multimedia & Human Computer Interaction
group at the Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI)
in Amsterdam. "The Databases and Hypermedia research group
at TU/e is the closest to my own at CWI. Both groups think working
together will increase our effectiveness and our output."
De Bra is returning the favour by travelling to CWI one day a
week. "Some groups that work together meet only once or twice
a year. Our weekly exchange of staff should make for much more
practical co-operation", he explains.
Tuesdays will be Hardman's 'TU/e day'. She will spend them supervising
Ph.D. and Master's students. She will also organise a special
advanced seminary on modern information systems, a series of lectures,
some from guest speakers, culminating in an essay assignment on
one of the subjects.
Familiar
Originally from Scotland, Lynda Hardman has lived in the Netherlands
for the last ten years and has become fluent in Dutch.
"I really like it here. What surprised me most about the
Netherlands was how familiar it all felt. There was a language
barrier, but no cultural barrier. The Dutch are very close to
the Scots in their attitude. I feel less of a cultural barrier
here than with someone in London. For example, being careful with
money is ingrained in the Calvinist approach to life, both here
and in Scotland. I like the way decision-making in the Netherlands
is often based on consensus. I myself also prefer to run things
fairly democratically."
"As a woman with small children, working in Science, I appreciate
the fact that Dutch graduate students knock-off at around five
o' clock. That and my Dutch partner have made it possible for
me to hold down a job in an academic environment. Also, there
are more part-time jobs available at this level in the Netherlands."/.
Lynda Hardman: "Visualising thinggs
can give a different perspective". Photo: Maarten van Loosbroek
