James Millea

James Millea is a Lecturer in Popular Music and Media at Edge Hill University's Department of Creative Arts, where he also leads the BA in Media program. Previously, he lectured at the University of Liverpool and University of Northampton. His research focuses on intersections of popular music with audiovisual media, particularly in cinema, television, and video games. He holds a PhD from the University of Liverpool (2020) and an MA/BA from University College Cork. Awards include the National University of Ireland Travelling Studentship (2016) and IASPM Postgraduate Conference Support Fund (2017). His work explores hip hop in New Black Realism cinema, electronic music in video games (e.g., WipEout), and transmediality in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Millea is an AFHEA Associate Fellow and active in academic peer-review for publishers like Palgrave Macmillan and Bloomsbury Academic.

• Education:
• PhD: Popular Music and Audiovisual Media, University of Liverpool (2014–2020)
• MA: Music and Cultural History, University College Cork (2011–2012)
• BA: Music and History, University College Cork (2008–2011)

Research interests span video game soundtracks, music in independent Black American cinema, and intertextuality in film soundtracks (e.g., Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds). His recent articles analyze Paul McCartney’s solo albums, electronic dance music in WipEout, and metal music in cinema. He frequently presents at academic conferences and reviews for journals like IASPM Journal and Journal of Sound and Music in Games.

Grants & Activities: Millea has secured funding from the University of Liverpool’s School of Arts and National University of Ireland. He organizes academic events, serves on editorial boards (e.g., Sonic Scope), and engages in collaborative research on emerging media and entertainment.