Meet Our Team

LEADERSHIP

Dr. DB Bauer

Co-Founder & Director

DB Bauer is an assistant professor of interactive media and games in the School of Arts, Media, and Engineering in the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. DB’s research is rooted in digital humanities and media studies, focusing on the theoretical and social impact of media theory and practice, speculative design, applied critical making, and research creation with a focus on 3D and interactive media.

Dr. Jaime Lee Kirtz

Co-Founder & Director

Jaime Kirtz is an assistant professor of media studies and algorithmic culture in the School of Arts, Media, and Engineering in the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. Jaime's research lies at the intersections between new materialism, feminist theory, science and technology studies and media archaeology and focuses on making critical interventions into algorithmic technology and digital media by confronting social inequalities at the levels of code, discourse, materiality and design.

Affiliate Faculty

Katie Morrissey (ASU English)
Christine Tomlinson (GAME School)

Students

Flemming Laursen (GAME School)
Dan Jackson (GAME School)

Extended Community

HISTORY

The TML was Founded in 2023 as a shared space between Dr. DB Bauer and Dr. Jaime Kirtz. Originally envisioned as a place for playful making, the TML has evolved into a multifunctional, collaborative place that spans the physical and digital. During the early development, the TML acquired numerous creative technologies, such as an automated embroidery machine, a XY plotter and a digital sewing machine. While the TML still retains its initial interest in critical making, the TML now includes a growing collection of functional retro technologies, software and games. These technologies have led to the creation of archival collections, such as the RetroTech Archive. The TML has also hosted events and workshops, such as the Games Industry event in 2024, as well as run a volunteer curator program for undergraduate students.

As we look to the future, we envision bringing together our archival collections with creative practices and to making our archives into interactive, digital experiences. We also plan to host more events and increase public access while continuing to grow our collections. All materials in the space have been generously donated by friends and affiliates of the TML.

In addition to the existing program, the TML also serves as a research space for both Dr. DB Bauer and Dr. Jaime Kirtz. Many of their research projects and initiatives reflect the main interests and impetus behind the TML. The TML is driven by questions about the relationship between the digital, the material and the affective and challenges the divide between the physical and digital.