Lecturer, a doctoral student in ethnology, interested in digital humanities, manages the Social Media Lab project at KTU Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. In her free time engages in medieval dances, historical reconstruction of costumes and other artifacts, and participates in medieval festivals.
What do you think about the young people of today?
There are a wide variety of students with a wide range of interests. The positive thing is that this is a whole new generation that has grown up with a large amount of information, with the change, and they perceive the environment differently. It sometimes scares me, and sometimes it’s the opposite: you begin to construct a different approach to most things, the processes that are going on in this world. You can look through their perspective because they grew up quite differently than we did. It makes you think completely differently, get out of your comfort zone, it’s a very positive thing.
How do you teach them then?
The needs of students as well, so it is important to be able to adjust and find the middle ground. I try to teach differently, but I think the classic teaching model should not be forgotten either. Even when talking about the Middle Ages, when the first universities were established. We live in the 21st century, but the principle of knowledge transfer is the same. Some of the classics have to remain, as this is the foundation that has been forming over the centuries. Clearly, it is necessary to adapt to.
Tell us about your special hobby. How did it come into your life?
It’s a reconstruction of history. My husband and I are the initiators of the club Saltus gladi, which unites the reconstructors of history. I have always been interested in history and experimental archeology when trying to revive, remanufacture certain archeological objects, find out their purpose. Modem person often draws conclusions about certain artifacts based on modem experience, so there can be mistakes. Experimental archeology is one way to test those tools under circumstances such as the ones that were in the past. The club focuses on the medieval period, and now more attention is paid to the renaissance as well.
We mostly concentrate on historical dances and costume restoration. How do you manage to combine such different activities?
Well, the activities are completely different. At the moment, I’m diving deeper into computer science, digital, modern things, so there are not many similarities. However, they are all intertwined. When I sit and write an article or do a research, Renaissance, Baroque or medieval music plays in the background, and during that time I can choose the right music for the dances. One activity helps to escape from another. Although information technologies are a part of my life and when I’m attending medieval festivals, I can escape from it all. In some places the use of a mobile phone is even forbidden and for example, in the Middle Ages. Women did not wear piercings, so we have to remove even them. You leave all your connection to the modern world behind.
What motivates you in life?
My mom and grandmother. Because my mom was doing something everywhere, except for staying at home. My grandmother, who is now 97 years old, is also everywhere, but not at home. They are both very active and busy women, and I just didn’t have a choice to be different. A growing child adopts habits, while the parents, environment shape the child’s future behavior. I’ve seen this model of a woman at home and it inspires me.
To meet the other faculty members please visit: fssah.ktu.edu/teachers
