Karen Pauwels has been a researcher at AP Hogeschool since 2021, where she is part of the research groups Media, Design, and IT and the Immersive Lab. Her background in Graphic and Digital Media, also at AP Hogeschool, laid the foundation for her current role as a researcher. After completing her studies in 2020, she participated in AP Hogeschool's Summer School on Immersive Storytelling in VR. Currently, Karen focuses on how various storytelling techniques can enhance the engagement of XR users in the Immersive Lab. She also investigates the role AI will play in the creative landscape and experiments with different AI tools.
At the research group Media Design and IT, she focuses on the spearhead video. Here, she researches how video and motion graphics can be effectively used in corporate communication. Since the academic year 2024-2025, she has also been guiding final-year students of the bachelor's program in Communication in organizing the Video Experience Day. This is the national reference event for corporate video and annually awards the best corporate films in various categories. The awards are presented during a prestigious show attended by numerous business leaders, marketing and communication professionals, and producers.