In this talk, I will share my personal and professional journey as a researcher working in close collaboration with experts from both the social sciences and computer science, using virtual reality to create therapeutic solutions and address social challenges. My path has taken me across borders—through research stays in countries such as the Netherlands and Germany—and across disciplines, as I’ve partnered with researchers from diverse fields to tackle complex human issues. These international and interdisciplinary experiences have not only shaped my career but also enriched my life, bringing lasting friendships and a deeper understanding of what true collaboration means. Eventually, I chose to settle in Barcelona to build something even more important than a career: a family. Now, as a mother and a researcher, I’m learning to navigate the ongoing balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment. This talk is a reflection on building bridges—between disciplines, across borders, and within ourselves—as we strive to create careers that are both impactful and sustainable. I hope to inspire other female researchers to embrace their personal paths, the power of collaboration, and the value of building a global, supportive research community.

Sofia Seinfeld received her M.Sc. (2015) and Ph.D. (2017) Degrees in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Universitat de Barcelona. Currently, she is an Associate Professor in the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, as part of the Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology. She has more than twelve years of experience as a researcher working in institutions such as Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), the University of Bayreuth, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Barcelona Tech (UPC). Her research interests include using embodiment in virtual reality to improve psychological treatment and educational practices, as well as to leverage psychological and neuroscientific principles to improve interaction with technology. More specifically, she has studied the use of embodiment in virtual reality to tackle problems such as domestic violence, racism, and phobias, as well as to improve the training of interpersonal skills.