Dr Danai Mikelli
PhD in Media and Communication (Coventry University), MA Documentary Practice (University of Bristol), Integrated MA / BA (Hons) Film (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
Senior Lecturer and Subject Coordinator, BA/BSc Digital Media Production
School of Arts
Role
Dr Danai Mikelli is Senior Lecturer and Subject Coordinator for the BA/BSc Digital Media Production. Her current research explores the use of immersive technologies in literacy and community settings. In 2018, Danai completed a PhD in Media and Communication at Coventry University, focusing on interactive documentary. Her doctoral research introduced interactive documentary in the context of Critical Media Literacy, proposing a “Pedagogy of Difference 2.0” as a new approach to teaching and learning with interactive media. Danai obtained an MA in Documentary Practice from the University of Bristol and an Integrated MA / BA (Hons) in Film from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education (PgCAPHE).
Teaching and supervision
Modules taught
Subject Coordinator for the BA/BSc Digital Media Production.
I teach a range of modules in Digital Media Production including Creative Skills, From Script to Screen and Final Production Portfolio.
Supervision
Examples of postgraduate supervision include:
- Gamification of Information Delivery
- AR Art Exhibition
- Volumetric film and Immersive Music videos
- The role of the Media on Increased Unethical Behaviours against Women at the Workplace.
Research
My research focuses on the intersection of interactive/immersive technologies and Critical Media Literacy. My current research explores the extent to which immersive documentary film can create empathetic experiences. I am also interested in the participatory potential of documentary practice and immersive technology to engage under-represented communities. My doctoral research examined the implications of introducing interactive documentary in a series of Critical Media Literacy interventions. I used Participatory Action Research and Visual Research Methods to propose a “Pedagogy of Difference 2.0”, which is a new approach to teaching and learning with interactive documentary.
Research group membership
- British Association of Film, Television and Screen Studies
- Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association.
Research grants and awards
Grants, funding and awards include:
- Coventry City of Culture University Partnership funding for immersive audio project
- Digital Fluency and Innovation award at the Coventry University Excellence Awards for participation in the AR Prison Break project
- Pedagogic Innovation funding for VR project awarded by Coventry University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Studentship for PhD programme, funded by theCoventry University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Audience Award (Student Section) at Nicosia Documentary Film Festival for directing, producing and editing short documentary film.
Research projects
- Journey > Arrival: The project uses immersive audio technologies to develop new ways of capturing and interpreting the stories of people seeking refuge in Coventry.
- AR Prison Break: I was part of a team designing the educational “legacy” website providing a toolkit for educators to produce learning experiences, using AR technology in the classroom. Funded by Coventry University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in partnership with the British Council.
- VR Kaleidoscope: I designed and co-delivered VR project exploring young people’s understanding of place.
- Disruptive Media Learning Lab: I provided guidance and expertise for the development of pilot Interactive Documentary aiming to explore the impact of creative pedagogy in teaching and learning for cross-disciplinary learning.
- Positive Youth Foundation: I designed and delivered Interactive Documentary training to groups of young people incorporating Mozilla’s Popcorn Maker.
Publications
Professional information
Memberships of professional bodies
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Areas of expertise
- Critical Media Literacy
- Interactive/immersive media
- Documentary practice
Further details
Prior to joining Brookes, I was a Lecturer in Media Production at Coventry University.