Chip Bobbert is the Senior Academic Technologist and the architect of Duke University’s maker and media labs; the Multimedia Project Studio and CoLab Studios. In his role, he has developed and built one of the largest 3D printing focused makerspaces in higher education. His lab was among the first to explore the integration of digital fabrication at an institutional scale. He is a frequent speaker, collaborator and commenter on the integration of maker technologies into educational ecosystems. He is also a Co-Founder of the Constrcut3D Conference, an annual professional development event focused on the paradigm shift created by the Maker Movement and Digital Fabrication.

Chip is an M.S.Ed. graduate from UNC Wilmington where he focused his academic work on Instructional Technology with undergraduate work completed in the behavioral science fields. At UNCW he also worked for twelve years as a Motion Picture and Television Engineer focusing on technical media, effects operations and the production of educational programming. Preceding that, Bobbert served for seven years in the United States Marine Corps managing global communications and IT infrastructure. In the twelve years prior to coming to Duke, he independently operated a multimedia consulting firm specializing in technical production, design, critical review and software training.

Chip came to digital manufacturing by way of 3D modeling and digital effects as well as a family business that focused on fabrication. During his career, he has spent an extensive amount of time modeling effects, sets, props, lighting and other elements. His work with simulation based learning has also aided his pursuits as he believes strongly in connections between the physical and virtual worlds. He also has done extensive work with machining and casting typical of scene shop operations. Chip considers 3D printing to be an excellent extension of his technical, creative and entrepreneurial interests.