Ruth S. Contreras Espinosa, PhD
I work at the intersection of videogames, artificial intelligence, and digital culture, designing strategic bridges between academia, industry, and public institutions across Europe and Latin America.
I hold a PhD from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and I am currently a Serra Húnter Professor and researcher at the University of Barcelona. I coordinate international research projects funded by the European Union, focused on the digital transformation of communication, education, and the creative industries.
My research approaches videogames as cultural and socio-technical systems, exploring their relationship with artificial intelligence, ethical design, and strategic innovation. I integrate UX/UI methodologies, user-centered research, and interaction design to analyze and build digital experiences with social and cultural impact.
I have received positive evaluations from ANECA in both research and teaching, and I serve as an external evaluator for A3ES (Portugal), ACIE, and the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), contributing expertise in scientific evaluation, innovation, and research policy.
I am the founder of the Mexican Association for Videogame Studies and Ludic Culture and co-founder of the Digital Games Research Association Mexico Chapter (DiGRA MX), where I promote international research networks in game studies and digital culture in Latin America and strengthen their articulation with Europe. I am also involved in initiatives that promote the presence of women in the videogame industry, serving as an ambassador for Women in Games International.
Throughout my career, I have developed academic and applied projects in collaboration with universities, companies, and public institutions in Spain and Mexico. I have co-founded initiatives such as the Observatory of Communication, Videogames and Entertainment (OCVE) and the company Digital Work Force, specialized in new media, educational videogames, and digital innovation projects for both public and private sectors.
In the publishing field, I have authored and edited several works on videogames, gamification, and digital culture, including academic books with broad international dissemination.
In 2020, I received the “Mexicanos Distinguidos” recognition from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs for my professional and academic trajectory abroad.
I currently collaborate with universities, cultural institutions, public agencies, and creative organizations seeking to integrate research, strategy, and innovation into their digital transformation processes.
