Comics
Through Mind and Space
ARTIST
JEFF HEMMER
Jeff Hemmer (born 1982) is a freelance comic artist and illustrator from Wormeldange, who currently lives and works in Bremen. He loves cats and particularly enjoys working at the overlap between comics and education. When he isn’t busy drawing, he is also a passionate workshop trainer.
Location
Bremen, Germany
Artistic Focus
Social, historical and political topics, civic education
Contributions to LUX:plorations:
Through Mind and Space
Why did you participate in LUX:plorations?
“I was interested in the possibility of working together with researchers to create a science comic.”
What did you like most about LUX:plorations?
“I really enjoyed working with our team. Plus, the whole project is really well organised, so you can really concentrate on your work as an artist.”
SCIENTISTS/AUTHORS
SAHAR NIKNAM
As a member of the EU-funded project ChronoPilot, Sahar Niknam is investigating time perception modulation in mediated reality at the VR/AR Lab (Department of Computer Science) at the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine.
Research Focus
Time perception, mediated reality, AI
Affiliation
ChronoPilot, VR/AR Lab, Department of Computer Science (DCS), University of Luxembourg
Contributions to LUX:plorations:
Through Mind and Space
Why did you participate in LUX:plorations?
“My academic presentations are wordless cartoons.”
What did you like most about LUX:plorations?
“We were asked to submit some illustrations representing the rough idea of our research. While doodling for LUX:plorations, I solved a very important research problem in my project.”
What was the biggest challenge for you?
“Be passionate about your ideas, but also be open to those of others.”
ALEXIS VANDEWEERD
Alexis Vandeweerd is a research assistant at the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society and a doctoral candidate at the Institut d’Études Romanes, Médias et Arts (IRMA) at the University of Luxembourg. He is currently working on the iconology of Martin Margiela’s fashion through a visual lens, in search of a concept of profane mysticism.
Research Focus
Fashion, visual studies, profane mysticism
Affiliation
Luxembourg School of Religion & Society, in partnership with Institut d’Études Romanes, Médias et Arts (IRMA), University of Luxembourg
Contributions to LUX:plorations:
Through Mind and Space
Why did you participate in LUX:plorations?
“I participated in LUX:plorations because I wanted to explore new ways of communicating my research and satisfy my curiosity. I believe that engaging with a diverse group of people and sharing knowledge in an interactive setting can result in innovative perspectives and ideas.”
What did you like most about LUX:plorations?
“What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to work with other students and create something together. It was really inspiring to see individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines come together to produce something unique. I really liked how art and science were combined in one course.”
What was the biggest challenge for you?
“My biggest challenges were communicating my research ideas to people outside my field and simplifying complex concepts for a general audience.”
MENTOR
VERONIKA MISCHITZ
Veronika Mischitz (Véro) is a former biologist, turned freelance visual storyteller. For over a decade, she focuses on visualizing and communicating science to broad audiences from various backgrounds through the medium comics. Driven by curiosity and a sense of wonder, she loves to explore unknown territory, learn new things along the way and turn them into compelling stories. Veronika is also teaching the magic of her craft to kids and adults. She is a mentor for LUX:plorations.
Work Focus
Visual communication, storytelling, science comics
Contributions to LUX:plorations:
Modern Talking
Keeping up With the Bacteria
Was it Really About Nature?
Losing Orientation
Why Science Comics?
A Furry Tale
A Gut Feeling
The Adventures of Tuwwo the Water Molecule
Math, Magic and Maryam
Through Mind and Space
Watt’s Up? The Smart Grid Chronicles
Why did you participate in LUX:plorations?
“As a comic artist and science communicator LUX:plorations is a dream come true: A group of highly motivated experts from different fields joining forces and creating outstanding science comics as a result!”
What did you like most about LUX:plorations?
“Working with such motivated, open and mindful participants as well as team members from different fields of research was amazing. Creativity and inspiration grew from our efforts as we explored new toolkits and skills together.”
What was the biggest challenge for you?
“Ensuring ongoing attention and support for all participants was extremely important to me. But I think the whole team did a great job on that.”
SUPERVISOR
CELINE LECARPENTIER
Céline is the project manager for the third volume of LUX:plorations. She studied translation to become a literature translator, but then discovered project management and studied literature project coordination [FR: médiation littéraire]. She is interested in all kinds of science and loves learning new subjects and languages.
Work Focus
Doctoral education, project management
Contributions to LUX:plorations:
Through Mind and Space
Why did you participate in LUX:plorations?
“When I heard that the position of coordinator for this project was available, I dreamed of being part of it.”
What did you like most about LUX:plorations?
“I love this project, which shows young people what the university’s researchers are working on.”
What was the biggest challenge for you?
“The biggest challenge for me was to keep up with the schedule that was set at the beginning.”