Melissa Avdeeff

Dr. Melissa Avdeeff is a Lecturer in Digital Media at the University of Stirling, affiliated with the Communications, Media and Culture school. She holds a PhD in Musicology from the University of Edinburgh, an MA in Music Criticism from McMaster University, and a BMus from the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on digital media and society, with specialties in critical internet/algorithmic cultures, social media discourse, and AI-pop music intersections. Key areas include technocultural analysis of popular music on platforms like TikTok and Twitter, and the development of Critical AI Popular Music studies through frameworks like the 'audio uncanny valley.' She actively contributes to the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM), serving as Communications Coordinator for IASPM-Canada and editorial board member. Her work emphasizes land-based epistemologies and relationality, shaped by her roots on the traditional territories of the Squamish, Sechelt, Sliammon, and Kla’hoose Nations. Current projects explore AI’s role in pop music production, speculative discourse around computational creativity, and platform-specific cultural engagement patterns.

Her academic journey integrates interdisciplinary approaches, blending feminist theory, cultural critique, and digital media analysis. Recent research highlights include examining Taylor Swift’s LGBTQ+ allyship through social media discourse and analyzing Lil Nas X’s viral success via platform dynamics. She critiques algorithmic mediation in music journalism and advocates for ethical considerations in AI-generated art. Collaborations with IASPM and digital society research groups position her at the forefront of contemporary media scholarship.

Dr. Avdeeff’s publications span peer-reviewed articles and cultural critiques, addressing topics from Beyoncé’s digital self-presentation to the economic sociology of ringtone culture. Her work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, reflecting her commitment to accessible, socially relevant research. Future projects aim to solidify the Critical AI Popular Music field as a critical lens for understanding emerging technocultural phenomena.