Find Academic Supervisors

Yanjun RenView profile

Professor

• Food Chains
• Consumer Behavior
• Applied Econometrics
• +13 more

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Ren is a Professor at the College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University (NWAFU), China, and has been an IAMO Visiting Research Fellow since May 2024. Prior to his IAMO role, he conducted research at Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, from 2012 to 2019. PhD in Agricultural Economics focusing on Food Consumption, Income Inequality, and Health-related Issues in China Former Research Assistant/Associate at Kiel University’s Chair of Agricultural Market Analysis (2012–2019) Dr. Ren’s research spans food chains, consumer behavior, and applied econometrics. His work explores how socioeconomic factors, digital transformation, and policy interventions shape food consumption, nutritional outcomes, and environmental sustainability in China and Central Asia. Key themes include food waste reduction, carbon labeling, internet use in rural economies, and intergenerational health behaviors. His 15 most recent articles (2023–2025) emphasize digital agriculture, sustainable consumption, and health economics. Topics include carbon-labeled products, television/media’s role in nutrition, contract farming sustainability, and the socioeconomic determinants of dietary choices. His methodology integrates econometric modeling, eye-tracking experiments, and spatiotemporal analysis. Email: ren@iamo.de

Elaine Jing ZhaoView profile

Associate Professor

• Communication and Media Studies
• Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies
• Film, Television and Digital Media
• +6 more

Associate Professor Elaine Jing Zhao is based at the School of the Arts and Media , University of New South Wales , with expertise in digital media economies, cultural production, and platform governance in transitional China and the Asia-Pacific region. She authored the monograph Digital China's Informal Circuits: Platforms, Labour and Governance and publishes in journals like New Media and Society and Global Media and Communication . Research Focus: Cultural implications of digital platforms, media globalization, and creative labor dynamics Editorial Roles: Board member, Communication Research and Practice ; reviewer for ARC grants and international journals Her research portfolio emphasizes platform governance , digital media policy , and cultural innovation in China's digital economy. Recent projects examine China's platform internationalization and informal media economies. She supervises PhD candidates in these areas and has secured funding from both Australian Research Council and National Social Science Foundation of China . Scientific Awards: 2020 Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Dean's Research Award for Best Monograph 2018 ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship Mentoring Scheme Award 2012 Australia-China Youth Dialogue Delegate 2010 Oxford Internet Institute Summer Doctoral Programme Participant She contributes to digital China scholarship through the Anthem book series and previously worked in the telecom and mobile internet industry before her academic career. Her work bridges sociocultural analysis and platform economy research.

Ramon LobatoView profile

Professor

• Media Industries
• Digital Distribution
• Cultural Policy
• +5 more

Professor Ramon Lobato (Swinburne University of Technology, School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education) is a leading scholar in media and cultural industries, specializing in digital distribution, streaming services, and cultural policy. With three Australian Research Council Fellowships, including a current Future Fellowship on Australian television in the smart TV ecology (2020-2025), his research bridges empirical analysis with critical theory to explore industrial transformations in the digital media landscape. Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne PhD in Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching, Swinburne University His work focuses on: Streaming Media: Analyzing video-on-demand platforms, local content regulation, and global distribution dynamics Informal Media Economies: Examining piracy, geoblocking, and alternative distribution circuits Media Policy: Advising governments on smart TV regulation, data privacy, and platform accountability Recent research trends include smart TV datafication, ad-tech infrastructure, and the cultural implications of algorithmic content recommendation. His book Netflix Nations: The Geography of Digital Distribution (NYU Press, 2019) and co-edited MIT Press series Distribution Matters provide foundational insights into platform globalization and industrial practices. RMIT Award for Research Excellence in Technology, Communication, and Policy (2020) International Communication Association Outstanding Young Scholar (2016) Dean's Award for Outstanding Research, Swinburne (2015) Faculty ECR Research Excellence, Swinburne (2014) Udine Film Forum Best International Film Studies Book (2013) As a supervisor, Lobato welcomes PhD projects on media industries, technologies, and audiences. He collaborates with institutions like the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) and SBS on funded research, while co-editing the MIT Press book series Distribution Matters , dedicated to media distribution's social and cultural impact.

• Media Industries
• Digital Distribution
• Cultural History
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Patrick Vonderau is a Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2018–present) and previously held the same role at Stockholm University (2009–2018). His research focuses on media industries, digital distribution systems, cultural history, and the intersection of advertising with screen cultures . He has authored/co-authored seminal works like Spotify Teardown (MIT Press, 2019) and Advertising and the Transformation of Screen Cultures (Amsterdam University Press, 2021). Education : PhD from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2005); studied at University of Copenhagen, Freie Universität Berlin, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Research Themes include media industries (e.g., Spotify’s algorithmic governance, sponsored films by oil companies), digital compensation models (e.g., music streaming equity studies funded by BKM), and historical media-advertising symbiosis (e.g., early 20th-century industrial films). His work spans algorithmic transparency , platform regulation , and media production cultures . Awards & Editorial Roles : Advisory Editor of the Springer Series in Media Industries ; co-founder of NECS (European Network for Cinema and Media Studies); editorial board member of Montage AV , Media Industries Journal , and Television & New Media . Projects & Leadership : Co-led Shadow Economies of the Internet (Swedish Research Council, 2018–2022); heads the Circuit Lab at Halle-Wittenberg; organized conferences like Connected Viewing (2011) and Urban Mediations (2010).

Joshua NevesView profile

Associate Professor

• global media
• digital culture
• cultural theory
• +13 more

Joshua Neves is an Associate Professor at Concordia University , affiliated with the Global Emergent Media (GEM) Lab as its Director. His research spans global and digital media, cultural and political theory, China/Asia studies, and media urbanism, focusing on themes like (over)development, digital ethnography, and informal media networks. Research Keywords: global media, digital culture, cultural theory, political theory, China, Asia, video, television, piracy, urbanism Teaching: Courses include Cinemas of Under/Overdevelopment , Technology and Intimacy , and Media Genealogies of the Digital . His scientific awards include the Canada Research Chair , highlighting his leadership in media studies. Publications such as Technopharmacology (2022) and Underglobalization (2020) reflect his interdisciplinary approach, merging media theory with political and cultural critique. Neves’ recent article trends explore optimization ideologies, pandemic platforms, and the intersection of convenience with inequality. His work bridges media studies with postcolonial theory, emphasizing the geopolitical implications of digital cultures.

Luca BarraView profile

Professor

• Media Studies
• Television History
• Transnational Media Circulation
• +5 more

Luca Barra is Full Professor of Television and Digital Media at the Department of Arts, University of Bologna. His research focuses on media studies, particularly television history and contemporary evolution, transnational circulation of content, serialization, and comic/humorous genres. He has coordinated the Master's Degree in Information, Cultures and Media Organization since 2021 and serves as editor-in-chief of VIEW. Journal of European TV History and Culture. University of Bologna, Department of Arts Research areas: Television History, Transnational Media, Digital Transformation, Italian TV Production Barra's work examines the international mediation of ready-made TV formats, Italian streaming partnerships, and the cultural implications of digital television. His recent articles analyze dystopian narratives, sitcom reception in Italy, and the redefinition of celebrity during the pandemic. He contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles in journals like SERIES and Comunicazioni Sociali. His publications include monographs on Italian television programming, sitcoms, and co-edited volumes exploring European premium TV fiction and digital media frameworks. Barra has led research projects such as ATLas and F-ACTOR, and collaborates with international institutions including Brown University and NECS.

Amanda D. LotzView profile

Professor

• Media Industries
• Internet Distribution
• Television Studies
• +4 more

Amanda D. Lotz is a Professor in the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading the Transforming Media Industries and Cultures research program. Her work focuses on media industries, internet distribution, and the evolving role of television in society. She holds fellowships from the International Communication Association and the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her research examines global streaming services, media policy, and the business strategies shaping contemporary media landscapes. Dr. Lotz earned a Ph.D. in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, with prior academic roles at Washington University in St. Louis, Denison University, and the University of Michigan (2004–2018). Her expertise spans books like The Television Will Be Revolutionized and Media Disrupted , exploring streaming’s impact on traditional media. She advises on policy, consults for media organizations, and hosts the Media Business Matters podcast. Her research highlights the fragmentation of television audiences, the rise of subscriber-funded platforms, and challenges to cultural policy. Key projects include analyzing Australian TV drama production and the global implications of internet distribution. Her recent work addresses generative AI and metaverse media, emphasizing the transformative role of funding models (advertiser, consumer, government) in media priorities. Awardees include the Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellowship and recognition for her teaching. She actively contributes to global media discourse via interviews with major outlets (BBC, NPR, CNN) and serves as a resource for industry workshops on adapting to digital disruption.

Elena SherstoboevaView profile

Lecturer

• Freedom of expression
• Media Law
• Counteracting misinformation
• +2 more

Dr. Elena Sherstoboeva serves as a Lecturer at Essex Law School, University of Essex, where she specializes in the intersection of media law, digital regulation, and international human rights with particular focus on non-Western contexts. Her scholarly work critically examines freedom of expression frameworks, disinformation governance, and privacy protections within authoritarian and post-Soviet legal systems, especially Russia. Her academic credentials include dual Ph.D. degrees from Ramon Llull University (Spain) and Moscow State University (Russia), complemented by visiting fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Leeds. These diverse educational foundations underpin her transnational legal perspective. Dr. Sherstoboeva's research program systematically investigates how digital technologies challenge traditional legal paradigms in restrictive regimes, with recurring themes including Council of Europe standards adaptation, judicial mythmaking in authoritarian contexts, and pandemic-era digital surveillance governance. Her methodology bridges doctrinal legal analysis with empirical media studies. Her publication trajectory (2014-2024) reveals escalating engagement with geopolitical crises, notably Ukraine war-related disinformation laws and pandemic surveillance policies. The body of work demonstrates consistent focus on Russian legal evolution while expanding into comparative East Asian digital governance frameworks, reflecting growing scholarly influence in critical media law studies. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Actively open to supervision, Dr. Sherstoboeva mentors students in media law and digital rights research areas. Her professional experience includes significant consultancy for UNESCO, OSCE, and Council of Europe on media regulation, though specific grant funding details remain undisclosed in available records.

Paul ThébergeView profile

Professor

• Music Technology
• Sound Studies
• Internet and Music
• +3 more

Paul Théberge is a Professor at Carleton University, cross-appointed to the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture and the School for Studies in Art and Culture (Music). He teaches graduate courses in Cultural Mediations (technologies of culture), Film Studies (sound in visual media), and Music (sound studies), reflecting his interdisciplinary academic home within Ottawa's major research institution. His research interrogates the material and cultural dimensions of sound technologies, with core expertise in music-technology-culture intersections, internet-mediated musical practices, and sonic applications in film/television. Théberge's scholarship bridges musicology, media studies, and science and technology studies, examining how recording technologies reshape creative practice and auditory experience across historical periods from analog tape to digital streaming platforms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals persistent engagement with sound's materiality—from multichannel audio histories to the embodied nature of listening—and consistent exploration of technological transitions, particularly the internet's disruption of traditional music production/distribution models. His work demonstrates deep methodological versatility spanning archival research, ethnographic observation, and creative composition. Scientific recognition includes: International Association for the Study of Popular Music (US branch, 1998) Society for Ethnomusicology (2000) While the source text doesn't specify current advising activities, his extensive editorial work (e.g., co-editing Living Stereo ) and composition output suggest significant mentorship through collaborative projects. His research has been supported through Canada Research Chair funding and industry partnerships like Sony Classical International.

Tania de León YongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Experimental animation
• Drawing
• Engraving
• +6 more

Tania de León Yong is a Mexican visual artist and academic currently serving as Assistant Professor in Experimental Animation at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln) while also holding a tenured professorship at the Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD UNAM) in Mexico City. Her career spans institutions including Universitat Jaume I (Spain) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM). Bachelor's in Visual Arts (UNAM) Master's in Multimedia Internet Production (UPV Spain) PhD in Fine Arts (UPV Spain 2005) Master's in History of Art (UNAM) As a specialist in experimental animation theory and practice, her work explores time perception through installations and films using traditional techniques like engraving alongside emerging technologies like VR. She has exhibited in 11 solo shows and over 50 collectives across Canada, Germany, Mexico, and other countries. Key publications include 2020 research on VR drawing and 2017 analyses of Kentridge/Yamamura's work. Her 2018 award-winning Chronography series investigates temporal structures through animation loops and interactive installations. Grants include PAPIME UNAM for VR environments and PECDAT 2019 for artistic books. Scientific Awards: 2013 National Acknowledgment for Young Academic (UNAM) 2018 International Silent Film Festival Experimental Prize She has mentored over 25 animation students in postgraduate programs and developed educational media for Mexico's National University Open Learning platform. Her research bridges traditional media like etching with digital innovation, focusing on expanded animation formats and temporal storytelling.

• Digital Cultures
• Media History
• Film Theory
• +4 more

Assoc Prof Cesar Albarran-Torres is a Mexican-Australian scholar and film critic at Swinburne University of Technology. As an Associate Professor in Media , he explores intersections of postcolonial identities , digital media , and Latin American political cultures . His work spans academic publications public engagement supervision of HDR students . His research focuses on digital gambling , media history , and transnational film studies , examining topics like social media and narco-politics AI-generated art indigenous representation in Hollywood . A key project, Understanding Children’s Mobile Gamble-Play Cultures , funded by the ARC, investigates how mobile media normalizes gambling among youth. Recent publications analyze media’s role in framing Mexican drug cartels , streaming’s impact on cultural representation , and digital platforms’ influence on political discourse . He also contributes to journals like Senses of Cinema and Refractory , and serves on the Glen Eira Multicultural Advisory Committee. His academic background includes a PhD in Digital Cultures , a Master in Digital Communication and Culture , and a Bachelor in Communication Sciences , with additional filmmaking training from the New York Film Academy.

Lisa LinView profile

Lecturer

• Chinese Television Industries
• Digital Streaming Cultures
• Documentary Storytelling
• +3 more

Dr. Lisa Lin is a Lecturer in Screen Industries and Cultures at King’s College London, based in the Department of Culture, Media & Creative Industries within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. She holds a PhD in Media and Communications from Royal Holloway, University of London, alongside an MA in International Broadcasting and a Diploma in Factual Development and Production from the National Film and Television School. Her research focuses on Chinese television and digital streaming industries, emphasizing convergent production cultures, media work precarity, and documentary storytelling. Key projects include investigating environmental documentaries’ role in highlighting social injustice linked to air pollution (GCRF-funded, 2019-2020) and analyzing Tencent Video’s impact on creative freedoms in Chinese talk shows. She has extensive industry experience as a documentary producer for networks like National Geographic, BBC, and Channel 4. Teaching specialties include Global Media Industries, TV Platform Studies, and Chinese Media. Her pedagogical approach integrates critical theory with industry practices, emphasizing student-centered learning. Notable grants include a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the UK Antarctica Heritage Trust (2022-2023) and leadership on the Sustainable Futures Research Fund project (2022). Recent academic contributions include chapters in Streaming Video: Storytelling Across Borders (2023) and her monograph Convergent Chinese Television Industries (2022). She actively engages with public events such as organizing screenings of independent Chinese documentaries to discuss societal issues like rural education.

Claudia GerhardsView profile

Professor

• Digital Media Communication
• Social Media Marketing
• Influencer Marketing
• +4 more

Claudia Gerhards serves as Professor of Communication and Multimedia at the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf within the Faculty of Business Studies. Since 2005, she has held this position while also serving as program director for the Bachelor's program in Communication and Multimedia Management. Her academic profile bridges extensive industry experience with scholarly research, having worked for thirteen years as editorial manager, producer, and format developer for television production companies specializing in nonfiction entertainment prior to her academic career. Her educational background includes studies in German Philology, Theater/Film/Television Studies, and English Philology at the University of Cologne, where she also completed her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on digital media transformation, specifically examining new business models for traditional media companies in digital environments, social media communication strategies for brands (particularly on Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube), and innovative storytelling formats in digital spaces. Analyzing her publication history from 2002-2025 reveals consistent scholarly engagement with evolving digital media platforms as they emerge. Her work demonstrates methodological adaptability, moving from television studies to contemporary social media research while maintaining focus on content creation, audience engagement, and commercial applications. The publications show progression from traditional media analysis to cutting-edge investigations of influencer culture, platform nomenclature, and moral dimensions of digital content creation. Jury Member of German Radio Prize (2012-2014) Jury Member of Adolf-Grimme-Preis (2007) Professor Gerhards actively supervises bachelor's theses, with students required to contact her six months before thesis registration. Her guidance focuses on communication and multimedia management topics, reflecting her expertise in digital media business models and content strategies. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, her extensive publication record suggests successful research funding throughout her career. Her industry background provides practical insights that likely inform applied research projects with media organizations. Her work environment centers around the Communication and Multimedia department, where she develops curriculum for digital media management education. Her research approach combines theoretical frameworks with practical industry insights, particularly valuable given her thirteen years of professional experience in television production before entering academia. Current teaching includes courses on digital storytelling, PR & social media relations, and communication theories, all supported through Microsoft Teams platforms as indicated for the 2025/26 winter semester.

Mark McKennaView profile

Associate Professor

• Film and Media Industries
• Media Regulation and Censorship
• Marketing and Branding in Film
• +8 more

Mark McKenna is an Associate Professor at Staffordshire University, specializing in the interdisciplinary analysis of film and media industries. His research integrates aesthetic, economic, social, and technological perspectives, focusing on power structures shaping global media, including censorship, marketing, and labor dynamics. PhD in 'Rethinking the Video Nasties' (University of Sunderland) BA (Hons) in Electronic Media Design (University of Sunderland) His work explores media regulation , distribution of controversial content , stardom economics , and social media self-performance . Recent projects analyze film distribution, extreme media celebration, and the promotional role of celebrity. McKenna co-edits the Horror Franchise Cinema series and is authoring Big Wednesday: Genre, Myth & Trauma for Routledge. His publications span books and chapters addressing video nasties, snuff media, and horror franchises. Director of the Centre for Research in Digital Entertainment and Media Industries (DEMI) Former director of award-winning companies focusing on widening participation in education Member of BAFTSS and SCMS; advisory board for Intellect Journal of Class & Culture

Rebecca BeirneView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Television studies
• Film studies
• Gender and sexuality studies
• +7 more

Rebecca Beirne is a Senior Lecturer in Screen and Cultural Studies within the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is an active academic researcher and educator whose work bridges film, media, and cultural studies with a strong emphasis on gender, sexuality, and mental health representation. Beirne earned her PhD in English from the University of Sydney in 2007 and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the same institution in 2002. Her academic journey has been centered at the University of Newcastle, where she has contributed significantly to teaching and research. Her research interests include television and film studies, with a particular focus on representations of gender, sexuality, and mental health in popular culture. She is recognized as a leading scholar in lesbian representation and has recently expanded her work to analyze how mental health conditions are portrayed in television fiction. Her research explores themes such as stigma, identity, narrative construction, and the socio-political implications of media portrayals. The trends in her recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with queer media, mental health narratives, and the evolving landscape of digital and televisual storytelling. Her work spans from analyses of lesbian representation in international cinema to critical discussions on the 'supercrip' trope in mental health portrayals. Lead investigator on the 2021 CHSF Working Parents Research Relief Scheme. Co-investigator in the 2019 Multidisciplinary humanities applications of metadata and computational text analysis project. Lead on the 2018 Australia-Germany Joint Research project. Lead on the 2017 Representing Mental Health Conditions on Television study. Investigator on the 2011 Visual Media Texts teaching and learning grant. Beirne actively supervises postgraduate research, serving as principal or co-supervisor for PhD and Master’s students in cultural studies, English, and media arts. Her supervision topics include film canons, spoken word poetry, female representation in fantasy literature, and queer graphic narratives. She has also contributed to public discourse through articles on platforms like The Conversation, discussing topics such as bisexual representation and gender dynamics in film. Her work is aligned with broader academic and societal goals around inclusivity, representation, and media literacy.