Mr. Roidl, what prompted you to switch to Mainz University of Applied Sciences?
The tandem professorship is a new concept at Mainz University of Applied Sciences and offers the opportunity to work both in teaching and in the applied cultural area. For me, that means the chance to grow my experience in teaching while simultaneously being involved in the practical side of things. At Mainz University of Applied Sciences, I was particularly attracted by the work produced by students and my colleagues from the Department of Communication Design. In addition to teaching at the university, I work at NODE, Verein zur Förderung digitaler Kultur. NODE prides itself in being a cultural force in Frankfurt, with a large network and exciting, exploration-driven work in design and the arts.
What do you find most appealing about your new position?
Along with the combination of teaching, research and applied work, I find the large variety of content particularly interesting. The position allows me to work on and research contemporary topics in the field of design with students. Exchanging ideas with colleagues and various institutions results in an exciting field that is very active, interdisciplinary and open thanks to exhibitions/presentations/workshops. The position provides the freedom to experiment, collaborate, explore, test, and define new formats.
I also find it interesting to establish new links between NODE and Mainz University of Applied Sciences, to explore possibilities of exchange and to bring students in contact with the cultural, artistic arena in Frankfurt. These connections and the additional reflection on content from design make for a very exciting place to work.
What topic would you like to exchange ideas with students on in a casual setting?
That is something that the students should be able to determine first and foremost. I find it particularly exciting when topics are raised and addressed by the students themselves. Within our School, it’s mainly about the tools we’ll be using in the future, how technologies will be designed, and the role of coding in design. Alongside subject-specific topics, however, I find it particularly interesting to talk about collectivity, taking initiatives on our own, or collaborations at the university.
Under the title Three questions for, newly appointed professors are introduced in a loosely-structured series. The following articles have already appeared in the Three questions for series (only available in German):
- Three questions for... Professor Claudia Nass Bauer
Professor Claudia Nass Bauer was appointed to Mainz University of Applied Sciences in September 2021, where she teaches Design Strategy at the School of Design. - Three questions for... Professor Dr. Martin Kowalczyk
Professor Dr. Martin Kowalczyk was appointed to Mainz University of Applied Sciences in March 2021, where he teaches Information Systems at the School of Business. - Three questions for... Professor Dr. Dirk Weitzel
Professor Dr. Dirk Weitzel has been teaching Information Systems in the School of Business since the beginning of September 2020. - Three questions for... Professor David Scherr
Professor David Scherr was appointed to Mainz University of Applied Sciences at the beginning of August 2020, where he teaches 3D Computer Animation in the Time-Based Media degree program. - Three questions for... Professor Linda Kruse
Professor Linda Kruse has been teaching Applied Game Concepts and Game Design in the degree program Time-Based Media since the beginning of November 2020. - Three questions for... Professor Thomas Mrokon
Professor Thomas Mrokon was appointed to Mainz University of Applied Sciences in April 2021, where he teaches Drafting and Digital Construction in the Architecture degree program.
