Adrian Hickey

Adrian Hickey is a Senior Lecturer in Interactive Media at the School of Communication and Media, Ulster University. He contributes to the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and is affiliated with the Centre for Media Research. His work bridges pedagogy, digital media, and civic engagement, with a focus on participatory practices and societal impact.

Research interests emphasize practice-driven approaches to media, including augmented reality, animation, and digital storytelling. His projects often engage underserved communities through creative expression and problem-based learning (PBL), aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals like Education and Quality Education.

His recent articles explore vocational learning spaces, intergenerational pedagogy, and media's role in promoting human rights. Notable awards include the Distinguished Education Excellence Award (2018) and recognition for innovative educational technology. He actively collaborates with industry via schemes like Invest NI's Innovation Voucher.

• 2020: Two articles on participatory action research in animation and child rights.
• 2019: Article on rethinking digital media teaching environments.

Scientific Awards

• INVENT Top Ten Finalist (2009)
• Best in Festival, BEA Festival of Media (2014)
• Distinguished Education Excellence Award (2018)
• Best Use of Educational Technology (2018)

Adrian’s civic roles include mentoring students through Project-Social, contributing to STEM outreach via 'All SySTEMs Go!', and fostering industry partnerships in tourism, recruitment, and media sectors.