Episode 8 - Interview with Elisa Mekler

In this episode of "How to Write CHI Papers," Dr. Lennart Nacke interviews Elisa Mekler, an assistant professor at Aalto University, about writing successful papers for the CHI community, particularly in the games and play area. Mekler discusses the types of papers that are well-received, such as those about current trends like gaming during COVID or eSports, and those that critically examine existing research methods and assumptions. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication, contextualizing work within existing research, and explicitly stating the contributions of a paper. Mekler also shares insights on creating compelling storylines, identifying blind spots in the community, and fostering discussion and collaboration among researchers, as well as strategies for junior researchers to navigate the reviewing process and ensure fairness.