Adam Cooke

Adam Cooke is a Lecturer in Future Media Production at the School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in data literacy, young people, and participation through creative coding, motion, and extended realities for social good. He currently pursues his PhD titled 'Algorithmic Assemblages' and serves as Society thematic lead for the trans-disciplinary Co-Labs module, facilitating collaboration between students, staff, and industry partners.

His research spans data literacy, participatory design, extended reality, and Web3 technologies, with emphasis on stakeholder co-creation for social impact. He investigates how immersive media and participatory methods engage young people in technological contexts, bridging social science and design practice through interdisciplinary approaches that challenge traditional educational frameworks.

Recent publications reveal a trajectory toward integrating emerging technologies with critical pedagogy: his 2025 NFT Research Group work examines Web3 educational applications, the 2024 chapter analyzes touch technology prototyping in design education, and the 2020 publication explores performative interruption as artistic method. This progression demonstrates consistent focus on experiential learning models and technology's role in democratizing creative processes.

As Co-Labs Society lead, Cooke structures trans-disciplinary projects addressing societal challenges through co-creation. His leadership in SODA's NFT Research Group drives experimental approaches to blockchain applications in academic settings, emphasizing practical implementation over theoretical discourse while maintaining strong ties to social good objectives.