Featured Researcher: Ryan Rosenblatt '25
About the Student Researcher
Major(s) and minor(s)
B.A. in Computer Science
Minors in Political Science and Digital Media Studies
Hometown - city, state, country
Pleasantville, NY
Areas of interest
Humanities and/or archival research
Types of research positions
Paid position | Summer position | During academic year | Virtual/on-site hybrid
What's your research story?
My work revolved around using Unity 3D to make an educational game. Unity is one of the two most prominent game development softwares and is free for those not trying to make money. I had previously used Unity to make small personal projects. However, working with the ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é History Department, I helped to make a video game that allowed me to explore and learn about a former Ghanaian castle, Fort Amsterdam. Working on this project was very different from anything I had done before, and I could work with people from various backgrounds.
My focus within the project was creating an information system for players to interact with and use to learn. I also developed general game development skills in Unity. The game aims to allow classrooms anywhere to teach history through a video game. I was part of the team for a year and a half and worked with other researchers to recreate a castle from photographs, in-the-field experience, and 3D scans.
My work with Professor Jarvis and the team first started in the Spring of 2022 and continued till the start of 2024. The project was on hiatus during Spring 2024, but I've since started working on the project again alongside Professor Jarvis.
How did you initially secure your research position?
Two friends had previously spoken to Professor Jarvis about the project. They independently told me I would be a good fit, and it took me a minute to realize they were talking about the same position. Once I spoke to Prof. Jarvis and learned the position was still available, I set up a meeting. Getting off the ground took some time due to departmental hiring policies.Departments/programs of research
History Department in the Digital History Lab
Has your research experience enabled you to qualify for/apply to other awards or scholarships?
My research provided something I could reference in my Fulbright application, and Professor Jarvis has been a great resource since I began working with him.
Any research presentations, awards, or publications?
Can you share some "lessons learned" as a result of your undergraduate research experience?
My research taught me much about communicating with non-technical people from different backgrounds. I also had a chance to expose myself to new software I had not used before, which was a great learning experience. The biggest takeaway was how difficult scheduling can be. Working out weekly meetings between 5-8 people with classes, teaching, other research, and life in general was extremely hectic.
The most helpful skill to me is learning how to connect with others. One of the people I worked with was part of another lab, and I could meet and speak with the professor in charge of that project, which I enjoyed.