Continuing our series of 60 second interviews with members of RGU staff, this week we focus on a young man who lectures in an area of the university’s work that is, for obvious reasons, of great, and increasing, importance…
Name: Luca Piras
Job Title: Lecturer
What does your job at RGU involve?
I am a Lecturer at the School of Computing, teaching the following modules: “Computer Security and Cryptography” and “Managing a Network Group Management”.
Moreover, my research is related to: 1. Privacy and Security concerning mainly how to support organisations in achieving GDPR compliance; 2. Acceptance Requirements and Gamification, concerning how to make software systems more engaging for users by using game elements and mechanisms.
What attracted you to come to work at RGU?
RGU is a very good Institution and recognised both in Scotland and in the UK for its excellence concerning teaching. Furthermore, research performed here is very in line with my interdisciplinary research interests. Moreover, I like a lot Scotland and Scottish people which are very friendly (like me) J J
If you weren’t doing this job, what, in an ideal world, would you like to do for a living?
I would like to be the guarantor of people living in peace and supporting each other for the wellness of everybody. Maybe this is an “utopia” and I am using too much imagination, but you asked me about an ideal world, so I gave this answer. However, I think that even in our amazing, but imperfect world, if everybody would do her/his part, by doing something positive for the other people, we could somehow achieve this.
What’s your favourite place in Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire?
Good question, I have just relocated here, I like a lot parks and green areas, and the Duthie Park is amazing. However, I need to explore much more in detail it, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. I hope to be able to do this soon, and I can’t wait for that J
Best holiday you’ve had and why?
Barcelona, because it was my first travel abroad and the first time I travelled by plane. Amazing first flight of my life, and, above all, Barcelona always in my heart, that’s wonderful. If you have never been there, best things to see are Casa Batllo’ and the Sagrada Familia: 2 unique monuments in the World with unexpected design by Antoni Gaudi’.
Favourite TV show?
The Voice UK
Favourite band/music?
Definitely “Imagine Dragons”
If you’re going to a restaurant and could only have one thing to eat (one course), what would it be?
I love steakhouses, therefore: Sirloin Steak for sure.
If you were in charge of the university for one day, what’s the first thing you would do?
I would try to invest on making all the activities (teaching, research, administrative tasks, etc.), both for staff and students, even more engaging (than them are now) by rethinking them by introducing game elements and mechanisms, according to my research (on gamification).