Kath Dooley

Associate Professor Kath Dooley is an academic and filmmaker at UniSA Creative, University of South Australia. She specializes in virtual reality (VR) narratives, screen production methodologies, and feminist media studies. Her roles include serving on the Executive and Research Subcommittee of the Australian Screen Production, Education and Research Association (ASPERA), and contributing to editorial boards such as the Journal of Screenwriting. She has authored influential books like Cinematic Virtual Reality: A Critical Study of 21st Century Approaches and Practices (2021) and Virtual Reality Narratives: Embodied Encounters in Space (2024), co-edited works including Screenwriting for Virtual Reality (2024), and published widely on topics like gender equity in screen industries and immersive storytelling techniques.

Her research focuses on the intersection of technology and narrative, exploring how VR and 360-degree media redefine storytelling. Recent work examines challenges for women and gender-diverse professionals in virtual production sectors through projects like Lost in the Virtual Abyss (2025). She actively collaborates with industry partners and academic networks, serving as a TEQSA expert and conference convener. Her creative output includes award-winning short films and VR experiences like No Bus (2021) and Impact: Beyond the Night Sky (2020).

Dooley’s leadership extends to educational roles, including Discipline Lead and Head of Department, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches in screen production education. She advocates for diversity in screen industries and employs practice-based research methods to bridge academic and creative industries.