Profile
Andra Jones
-
About Me:
I’m married with two children and live with my husband in the beautiful town of Aberystwyth.I enjoy Arts, Crafts, reading and watching TV/Films (Sci Fi & Fantasy). I love cakes, sweets and generally un-healthy food. My favourite place to be is inside my VR headset.
-
Read more
I’m originally from Lytham, a little town outside of Blackpool. So my later teenage years were spent enjoying the Blackpool night life.
My husband works in computing, building sensors and devices and is a big Linux nerd. When he’s not working on his computer he’s busy writing apps and other stuff – he doesn’t play games on his computer though (he’s a bit boring in that regard).
I have two children, my son (who has left home now) is in the Army and works as an Electronics Engineer while my youngest (non-binary) is currently studying for their A-Levels and wants to go into Drama and Acting.
I’m always wanting to try out something new, I spend my evenings doing crafts of one kind or another – the only craft I’ve persisted with is Sewing, I have my own sewing room with my machines and far, far, far too much fabric (according to my husband). I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to fabric.
I’m a bit of nerd my self and enjoy reading/watching anything Sci Fi/Fantasy related. I’m currently re-watching the Expanse and Game of Thrones while a wait for something new to come out.
I also like spending time in side my VR headset – really enjoy playing Beat Saber and exploration games like A Township Tale. When I’m not playing games on my headset I’m developing applications for it as part of my work.
-
My pronouns are:
she/they
-
My Work:
I’m a PhD student studying Virtual Reality and a part time Lecturer in the subject of Computer Science. I’m more interested in the user side of computing than in programming.
-
My Typical Day:
Dragging myself out of bed, doing the school run and heading into the office. A cup of tea (essential) then reading articles, developing software and trying to think. Do the school run again, some writing, eat some tea, watch TV and do some crafts before bed at 11.
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d like to be able to take VR into my local schools and talk to students about safe use of it and encourage more people to use it and hopefully study it.
-
Education:
I went to Lytham St Annes high school and left after my O Levels (GCSE’s many years ago). I did my A levels a few years later at St Annes College of Further Education before spending a year at University of Central Lancashire, Preston. I then moved to Wales to study at Aberystwyth University and have been there ever since.
-
Qualifications:
English Lit, Maths and Computer Science O Levels
English Lit and Psychology A Levels
BSc in Computer Science & Information and Library Studies
Now studying for my PhD in Computer Science (Virtual Reality)
-
Work History:
Trainee librarian, shop assistant, canteen assistant, cleaner, data entry clerk, Computer Help desk advisor, Oracle Applications developer and analyst, invigilator, Conversations officer.
-
Current Job:
Part time computer science lecturer.
-
Employer:
Aberystwyth University
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
purple people pleaser
What did you want to be after you left school?
Librarian
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Only for skipping school
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Teacher
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Pink & Maroon 5
What's your favourite food?
Anything sweet
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Be slimmer, ability to make and keep friends, have a famous child.
Tell us a joke.
Did you hear about VR for Cows? In Russia they are using Virtual reality to enhance cows moods and increase milk production. On theose cold dreary days the put the VR headset on them and show them summer pastures. You could say it is a mooood enhancer!
-