Maria B. Garda, PhD

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Last update: September 18, 2026

I am a Polish media studies researcher based in Helsinki, Finland, working at the intersection of creative computing, history of technology and game studies.

Earlier in my career, I focused on game cultures and questions of genre, nostalgia, and independent production. More recently, I have realigned my professional interests with a lifelong passion for the histories of computing. In my current research, I investigate the challenges of safeguarding digital cultures as living heritage. This has led me to question the sustainability of heritage practice in this area, not only from environmental (i.e. digital materiality) but also from social and cultural perspectives (e.g. inclusion of women and minorities).

Over the past four years, I have built on my international experience in research coordination as the principal proposer and co-leader of the COST Action Grassroots of Digital Europe: From Historic to Contemporary Cultures of Creative Computing (GRADE). Learn more about the project here: https://www.costgrade.eu.