Laura Aguiar

Laura Aguiar is a Lecturer in Cinematic Arts at the Ulster University School of Arts & Humanities, specializing in participatory approaches to storytelling and community engagement. She co-founded the Rathmullan Film Festival in County Donegal, Ireland, and serves as an External Examiner at the University of the West of Scotland.

• BA in Journalism (Fumec University)
• MA in Media and Communication (Stockholm University)
• PhD in Film Studies (Queen’s University Belfast)

Her research explores using digital tools and participatory filmmaking to enhance accessibility in arts, heritage, and archives, with a focus on mental health, skills development, and community relations. For example, she has created VR projects and interactive exhibitions to document Irish border life during lockdown.

Her recent work includes:

• Guest editing a special issue on digital inclusion and archives (2024)
• Developing accessible archival tools during the pandemic (2024)
• Collaborating on virtual reality memory projects (2022)
• Advancing community-based archival research (2022)

Laura’s projects align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in cultural preservation and inclusive education. She frequently presents her findings at academic events like international film festivals and archival conferences.