Sophia Brueckner, assistant professor of art and design and of information, refers to herself as a cyborg. (Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)
When most people think of a cyborg, they may think of a half-human, half-machine hybrid akin to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Terminator.” Sophia Brueckner would argue a bit differently about what being a cyborg means, as she considers herself to be one. “To me, being a cyborg doesn’t just mean biohacking or body modification. There are other ways we become part human and part machine,” said the assistant professor of art and design, and of information.
As a faculty member at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, Brueckner brings her sensitivity to technology’s effects and her focus on envisioning alternative futures to her students through a class called “Sci-Fi Prototyping.” Brueckner utilizes her diverse background in art and design as well as engineering to make technology more personable. “Each of these disciplines works in a different way and uses a different vocabulary. My challenge is to apply what I’ve learned to build bridges between these disciplines through both my research and teaching.”
