Diane Derr

Dr. Diane Derr currently serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Development at VCUarts Qatar, part of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She previously held the position of Associate Professor in Design Studies within the same institution. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Interactive Arts from the University of Plymouth (UK), an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Media from Columbia College Chicago, and a dual BFA in Photography + Film and Sculpture + Extended Media from VCU.

Her research focuses on interactive media, critical design, and narratology, with an emphasis on intertextual narratives and the phenomenology of interaction through mediation technologies. She has exhibited and lectured globally, including at institutions in Greece, Egypt, Cuba, Portugal, China, the Czech Republic, Brazil, and the UAE. Her work explores themes such as power dynamics in conflict narratives and the intersection of art with cultural heritage preservation.

Dr. Derr has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the VCUarts Qatar Distinguished Faculty in Teaching (2016) and Research (2013) Awards. Her research has been supported by grants like the Presidential Research Quest Fund (PeRQ) and the National Priorities Research Program Fund (NPRP). Her publications span immersive storytelling, syncretic narratives, and the role of technology in art and cultural preservation.

Her interdisciplinary approach bridges art, design, and technology, with notable projects such as Ambedo (2020) and Made by Qatar: Casting for Sustainability (2019). She continues to advocate for research-driven innovation in academic and artistic contexts through her administrative and academic roles.