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Rahel Arnold is familiar with falls, as evidenced by the bruises on her knees. “As long as you get up once more than you fall down, everything’s fine,” she says with a laugh.

It’s not her research that makes her prone to falls, but her second passion: when the computer science doctoral student is not working on her project, she is usually found on roller skates – either training in the arena or at roller figure skating competitions. “Like figure skating, but on wheels,” she explains, on this afternoon in mid-June. She’s scheduled to take part in the Swiss Championships in Basel a few days later. Last year, she was able to take home the Swiss Championship title in the figures category and was a runner-up in free skating.

She’s not afraid of falling on her face – even figuratively: this fundamental attitude also guided the 27-year-old on her journey from school to university and all the way to her doctorate. She recalls that she already had a soft spot for mathematics during her school days. “But math degrees are all about proofs. That seemed too theoretical to me.”

Just give it a try

She already had the opportunity to learn computer science as a supplementary subject in high school, which she really enjoyed. “However, I was pretty unsure about studying computer science. So, before deciding on a degree course, I spoke to a few people I knew, including people who worked in IT. Everyone advised me to just give computer science a try.”

She then got to know the subject area of computer science at informational events at the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. “I liked that it wasn’t as anonymous here as at other higher education institutions. To the lecturers, you’re not just one of hundreds of students.” She was aware that she would be one of only a few women among many men in this subject. “That didn’t put me off. And I’ve never heard anyone say anything stupid.”

The plan was actually to complete her bachelor’s degree and then find a job somewhere. But she is now in her third year of her doctoral dissertation and still approaches it with enthusiasm and joy.

Augmented reality for media companies

For her project in , she operates in worlds that mix the digital and the physical. These are known in specialist circles as “extended reality” (XR), an umbrella term that covers virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). XR glasses can film a person’s surroundings and show them to the user as a live stream on the inside of the lenses. At the same time, the glasses display additional elements. This includes a menu that can be operated with gestures.

The doctoral student’s aim is to develop concepts and technology that scans the camera feed in real time, recognizes relevant objects and complements them with digital information. “When I look at a drink in a café, for example, the glasses could show me additional information about the ingredients,” says Arnold.

Her work is embedded in the , which aims to pave the way for the production and use of XR content by media companies.

Looking calmly to the future

So, what are her plans after her doctoral dissertation? “That’s yet to be decided,” says Rahel Arnold. She enjoys working with students at the university, whom she supervises in various classes. And she appreciates being able to pursue her research interests. She would also be excited to work in a large tech company. She takes the big decisions about her future as calmly as she takes the falls while roller figure skating.

A few days later, the Swiss Championships for roller figure skating came to an end with no falls and a great deal of success for her: she once again emerged from the competition as Swiss Champion in the figures category and runner-up in free skating.