| JESSICA E. TOMPKINS
curriculum vita (pdf), last updated: May 4, 2018 | LinkedIn
Web version last updated: May 4, 2018
EDUCATION
Ph. D. Candidate, Media Arts & Sciences
Indiana University (IU) | 2015 – 2019 (expected)
Chair/Advisor: Nicole Martins, Ph. D.
Dissertation Committee: Robert F. Potter, Ph.D.; Michael Sellers, B.S. (Prof. of Practice in Game Design); Youngjoo Cha, Ph.D. (Sociology Minor)
M. A., Media Arts
University of South Carolina (USC) | 2014
Thesis: Playing at history: Resurrection Man and historiographic game design.
Chair/Advisor: Heidi Rae Cooley, Ph.D.
Thesis Committee: Duncan A. Buell, Ph.D.; Evan Meaney, M.F.A.
B. A., Anthropology, magnum cum laude | Minor: Sociology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) | 2011
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Social-Psychology and Video Game Effects
- Video Game Characters and Player Identification
- Video Game Design, User Experience, and Games User Research
REFEREED PUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS
Lynch, T., Tompkins, J. E., van Driel, I., & Fritz, N. (2016) Sexy, strong, and secondary: An analysis of female videogame characters from 1983 to 2014. Journal of Communication. (Impact Factor at time of publication: 3.16).
PUBLISHED BOOK CHAPTERS
Tompkins, J. E. & Lynch, T. (forthcoming date TBD). The concerns surrounding sexist content in digital games. In C. Ferguson (Ed.), Video Game Influences on Aggression, Cognition, and Attention. New York: Springer.
Tompkins, J. E. (2017). Heart breakers and life takers: Negotiated readings of military masculinities in Modern Warfare’s fanfiction. In N. Garrelts (Ed.), Responding to Call of Duty: Critical essays on the game franchise. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company.
PAPERS UNDER REVIEW
Tompkins, J.E. [title removed to protect blind review]. Transformative Works and Cultures.
Tompkins, J.E., Lynch, T., van Driel, I. I., & Fritz, N. [title removed to protect blind review]. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
Tompkins, J.E. Women’s self-esteem, self-efficacy, and body image following gameplay with sexualized and non-sexualized female video game characters.
Tompkins, J. E. & Lynch, T. A Content Analysis of Female Characters in US and Japanese Video Games. (Joint first-authorship).
REFEREED CONFERENCE PAPERS
Tompkins, J. E. (accepted for May 2018). Playing beyond the game: Video game fandom and transformative practices. ‘Games Everywhere, Gaming Everywhere,’ Game Studies International Communication Association Pre-Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
Tompkins, J. E. (accepted for May 2018). A test of Klimmt et al.’s (2009) theory of identification with sexualized and non-sexualized female characters. Game Studies Division, International Communication Association 68th Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
Tompkins, J. E. (accepted for May 2018). Voicing creativity, working with constraints: Character design in the video game industry. Game Studies Division, International Communication Association 68th Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
Tompkins, J. E. (Mar. 2018). User experience & character design. Poster presentation at the Games User Research Summit, San Francisco, CA.
Tompkins, J. E. (Nov. 2016). Just a boy’s game? Disruption of military masculinities in the Modern Warfare fandom. Game Studies National Communication Association Pre-Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Tompkins, J. E., Lynch, T., van Driel, I. I., & Fritz, N. (Nov. 2016). Virtual Vixens and Virgins in Japanese and U.S. Video Games. Game Studies Division, 102nd National Communication Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Tompkins, J. E., Lynch, T., van Driel, I. I., & Fritz, N. (June 2016). Kawaii killers and femme fatales: How Japanese and U.S. video game firms communicate the power of female characters. Games Studies Division, International Communication Association 66th Annual Conference, Fukuoka, Japan.
Lynch, T., Tompkins, J. E., van Driel, I. I., & Fritz, N. (November 2015). An analysis of female videogame protagonists from 1984 to 2014. Mass Communication Division, National Communication Association 101st Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV. *Top 4 Student Paper
Tompkins, J. E. (May 2015). Playing with history: Historiographic gameplay and design. Games Studies Division, International Communication Association 65th Annual Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Martins, N., Lynch, T. M., Read, G., Kraus, A., Malacane, M., & Tompkins, J. E. (April 2015). Social Media, Body Image, and Identity. Panel presentation on the Representation of Girls in the Media and Toys sponsored by The White House Council on Women and Girls and the U.S. Department of Education.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Instructor of Record for MSCH-C160: Media Village | FA 2018
The Media School, Indiana University
Taught a course on media and social media for residents of the Media Living Learning Center. Lectured, facilitated discussion, and graded assignments for over forty students.
Graduate Assistant for MSCH-C101: Media | SP 2017
The Media School, Indiana University
Assisted Dr. Bryant Paul by grading weekly assignments and guest lecturing as needed in a large, lecture-based course. Leads three discussion sections of about 30 students each.
Graduate Assistant for MSCH-C207: Intro to Media Industry & Management | FA 2016
The Media School, Indiana University
Assisted Dr. Rob Potter by grading weekly assignments and guest lecturing as needed in a large, lecture-based course.
Graduate Assistant for MSCH-C101: Media | SP 2016
The Media School, Indiana University
Assisted Dr. Laura Meadows in a large lecture-based course and led three discussion sections. Led three discussion sections of about 30 students each.
Graduate Assistant for G320: Game Art & Sound | FA 2015
The Media School, Indiana University
Assisted Prof. Norbert Herber by grading weekly assignments and instructed two computer lab sections on software for sound and art design for digital games.
Associate Instructor for T284: Intro to Interactive Media Design | SP 2015
Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University
Assisted Prof. Norbert Herber by grading weekly assignments and taught two computer lab sections on web design for a medium-sized, lecture-based course.
Associate Instructor for T260: The Video Game Industry | FA 2014
Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University
Assisted Prof. Mike Sellers by grading assignments and exams and guest lecturing as needed in a medium-sized, lecture-based course.
Instructor of Record for MART110: Media Cultures | FA 2013 & SP 2014
School of Visual Art and Design, University of South Carolina
Taught required Media Arts introductory course (cross-listed with Film and Media Studies) and prepared lectures, quizzes, exams, and assignments for over thirty students.
Graduate Assistant for MART110: Media Cultures | FA 2012 & SP 2013
School of Visual Art and Design, University of South Carolina
Monitored attendance, participation, graded projects, and guest lectured as needed in a lecture-based course with over 100 students.
AWARDS & HONORS
Indiana University
College of Arts and Sciences Travel Award, $500 | SP 2018
ICA Travel Grant, $500 & $200 | 2015 & 2018
Norvelle Scholarship in Telecommunications, $1,500 | SP 2018
‘I Need Diverse Games’ Game Developers Conference Scholarship | 2016
Center of Excellence for Women in Technology’s Outstanding Student Leadership Award | 2016
Graduate Tuition Scholarship ($15,750 per annum)
University of South Carolina
The Graduate Media Arts Research Award | Spring 2014
Funded Teaching Assistantship | Fall 2013 & Spring 2014
Funded Graduate Assistantship |Fall 2012 & Spring 2013
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Chancellor’s List | Fall 2010 & Spring 2011
Dean’s List | Fall 2008-Spring 2011
INVITED LECTURES
The Video Game Industry: From AAA to Indie | FA 2016, SP 2017 & SP 2018
MSCH-C 207 Intro to Media Industry & Management, The Media School, IU
Virtual Reality, Real Discrimination: Race & Video Games | SP 2018
MSCH-C 214 Race, Prejudice, & The Media, The Media School, IU
Choose Your Character: Avatars & Player Experience | SP 2018
COMM 3513 Video Games & The Individual, School of Communication, OSU
A Player-Centric Approach to Games Usability | SP 2018
MSCH-G 290 Game Experience Design, The Media School, IU
Video Games and Society | FA 2017
MSCH-C 213 Introduction to Media and Society, The Media School, IU
Media Merchandise and Franchising: The Star Wars Holiday Special | FA 2017
MSCH-A 315 Advertising & Consumer Culture, The Media School, IU
Women in the Video Game Industry | FA 2015 & FA 2017
TEL-T 203 Women in the Media, The Media School, IU
The Video Game Industry: From AAA to Indie | FA 2016 & SP 2017
MSCH-C 207 Intro to Media Industry & Management, The Media School, IU
Children & Video Games | FA 2016 & SP 2017
MSCH-S 317 Children and Media, The Media School, IU
Video Games & Game Design | SP 2016 & SP 2017
MSCH-C101 Media, The Media School, IU
Pretty Deadly: Female Characters in Japanese Video Games | FA 2016
MSCH-V 334 Beauty and its Global Beholders, The Media School, IU
Non-Entertainment Video Games: Serious, Persuasive, and Educational | FA 2014
T260 The Videogame Industry, Department of Telecommunications, IU
Video Games and Violence | SP 2013
MART110 Media Cultures, Film and Media Studies Program, USC
The Global Flow of Visual Culture | FA 2012
MART110 Media Cultures, Film and Media Studies Program, USC
OTHER TALKS & PRESENTATIONS
Video Game Research Lightning Talk| Apr. 2018
Presenter at LuddyFest, School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, IU
Social Media for Game Developers | Mar. 2018
Talk Presented in the Game Design Lab, The Media School, IU
Topics in Communication Science: From PR to VR | Feb. 2018
Presenter at Common Ground Graduate Student Conference, The Media School, IU
Music and Gaming Education Symposium (MAGES) | Jan. 2017 & 2018
Panelist at the Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest), National Harbor, MD
Women in the Media Panel | Aug. 2017
Panelist at Voices of IU: Student Media Conference, The Media School, IU
Video Game Studies Panel | Apr. 2017
Presenter at Common Ground Graduate Student Conference, The Media School, IU
Video Game Level Design with Mario Maker Workshop | Feb. 2016 & Feb. 2017
Instructor at the Techie Women Have More… Conference, Bloomington, IN
Paper Prototyping and Playtesting Workshop | Oct. 2016
Co-Instructor at the North American Simulation and Gaming Association conference, Bloomington, IN
Code with Your Kid Workshop | Oct. 2016
Instructor for CEWiT & Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities, Bloomington, IN
When Work is Play: Video Game Research in The Media School | April 2016
Presenter at Graduate Student Mini-Conference, The Media School, IU
Historiographic Game Design | April 2014
Presenter at Graduate Student Day, University of South Carolina
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Media Living Learning Center Director | FA 2017 – Present
The Media School, Indiana University
Supports a residential community of students interested in media. Advises the student Leadership Council, plans at least one media-related excursion or speaker a month, attends monthly LLC Advisory Council meetings, and supervised a trip to New York City.
Game Design Special Interest Group Lead Intern | FA 2015 – Present
Center of Excellence for Women in Technology (CEWiT), Indiana University
Leads the development of the Game Design SIG, coordinating with three interns. Plans and hosts workshops on game design software, as well as social events and talks, for a community of students, particularly women, interested in game design and gaming.
Camp Counselor, GirlPowered! Game Development Camp | May – June 2017
The Media School, Indiana University
Coordinated with Camp Director and counselors to develop game design curriculum for teen girls. Taught game engine software (Unreal along with Dialogue Plugin).
SERVICE TO THE FIELD
Competitive Paper Reviewer
International Communication Association: Game Studies and pre-conference (2015-2017), Popular Communication (2016), and Mass Communications Divisions (2016). National Communication Association: Mass Communications Division (2017), Game Studies Division (2018)
Panel Chair
International Communication Association Conference: Children, Adolescents, and Media Division (2015), Mass Communications Division (2018)
Pre-Conference Committee Member
Just Games? Considering how Digital Games can be more than Entertainment.
Game Studies Division, 2016 International Communication Association, Tokyo, Japan
SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Twitter Account Manager (@IUGameDesign) | Mar. 2018 – Present
Game Design B.S. Program, The Media School, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Institute for Communication Research Tech Demonstrator | Jan. 2018
Direct Admit Day, The Media School, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Moderator for Careers in Gaming Round Table Discussion | Nov. 2017
Media Career Day, The Media School, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
IU Graduate and Professional Student Government Representative | FA 2016 – SP 2017
Attended monthly meetings as a representative of the Media School, serving as a member of the voting body and acting as liaison for the Media School Graduate Association. Served on the Health and Wellness Committee to spearhead the organization of an active shooter training workshop for graduate students.
Luncheon for Undergraduate Women in Game Design Co-Host | Dec. 2014
Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Student Anthropological Society Secretary | FA 2009 – FA 2012
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Girls Inc. of Monroe County. | Apr. 2018
Spent an afternoon teaching girls ages 5 – 8 about how to make ‘binary code’ bracelets.
Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club (Non-Profit), Official Member | 2010 – Present
Volunteers at local events dressed as a Star Wars character.
Make it Digital! Fungus/Unity | SP 2016 & FA 2016
Led a workshop for all ages on Fungus/Unity game design software at Monroe County Public Library once per semester.
Volunteer, Wonderlab Museum of Science | December 2016
Spoke to Indiana Girl Scouts about video game technologies and game design. Answered questions for the girls’ requirement to earn the “Entertainment Technology” badge.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
International Game Developer’s Association
International Communication Association, Affiliations: Game Studies Division
National Communication Association, Affiliations: Game Studies Division, Mass Communication Division, Feminist and Women’s Studies Division
SELECTED PUBLIC COMMENTARY
“Through the Gates” Podcast (2016), interviewed by IU’s Janae Cummings about women in gaming and the sexualization of female characters in video games.
MEDIA DESIGN/PRODUCTION
Hoosier Games, Student Game Developer | SP 2016
The Media School, Indiana University
Led team of student game developers during design of a 2D video game.
Narrative Design Team Lead, Augmented Reality App | FA 2012 & SP 2014
Media Arts program, University of South Carolina
Lead a team of designers and designed images and textual content for an augmented reality app experience that contextualized USC’s historic brick wall.
Film Producer, Mr. Irrelevant | FA 2012
Media Arts program, University of South Carolina
Scheduled filming days, coordinated crew, edited script, secured filming locations, and designed costumes and props.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Operating Systems: Windows, Macintosh
Adobe Applications: Photoshop, DreamWeaver, PremierePro, Flash, Audition
Office Applications: Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word
Statistics Software: SPSS, familiar with R
Game Engine Software: Unity, Fungus, familiar with Unreal
Computer Languages: HTML, CSS
Other: WordPress, Audacity, GarageBand, GIMP, Slack
