Video Game Research: Views and Perspectives

Researcher Phil Lopes, a professor at Lusófona University and a member of HEI-Lab, was recently invited to give a featured interview in the “Associate Editor Spotlight” section of the prestigious scientific journal *IEEE Transactions on Games*, one of the most highly regarded international publications in the field of science and technology applied to video games.

 In the interview, Phil Lopes discussed his academic journey and shared insights on the challenges inherent in the research process, offering a message of encouragement directed particularly at doctoral students and young researchers.

Reflecting on the most important lessons he has learned throughout his scientific career, the researcher emphasized the importance of persistence and overcoming initial uncertainties:

"It’s something I often tell my Ph.D. students, because I fully understand the challenge of completing a Ph.D. It’s a demanding process, but one of the greatest revelations is realizing that ‘impostor syndrome’ eventually passes. During my Ph.D., I often struggled with the thought, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it.’ However, by persevering, by continuing to try and pushing through, I eventually found my own voice."

Phil Lopes also added that scientific work requires a shift in perspective regarding the management of error and uncertainty: "It’s about coming to realize that, as researchers, there is much we don’t know and that, sometimes, things won’t go as planned. Often, the research process itself proves to be more valuable than the final result."

The inclusion of Phil Lopes on the editorial board and the recognition granted by *IEEE Transactions on Games* reinforce the position of ULusófona and HEI-Lab at the forefront of research in video games and human-technology interaction.

The full interview is available on the official IEEE CIS website (Associate Editor Spotlight).