Marist Eastbay College of Art

Faculty Directory

At Marist Eastbay College of Art, our faculty members are more than educators; they are renowned researchers, practising artists, pioneering designers, and leading technologists who bring a wealth of global experience and cutting-edge knowledge to our academic community. They are dedicated to fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity, creative exploration, and rigorous scholarship, mentoring our students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Below, we proudly present a selection of our distinguished academic staff.

Dr. Elina Kask Professor of Interactive Art & Computational Creativity, Head of Digital & Interactive Art

Professor Kask is a leading figure in the field of generative art and human-computer interaction. With a PhD from Aalto University, Finland, her research delves into the symbiotic relationship between algorithms and artistic expression. Before joining Marist Eastbay, she held research fellowships at several prominent European media labs. Professor Kask’s teaching philosophy emphasises experimental practice and critical engagement with emerging technologies, encouraging students to challenge conventional artistic boundaries. She is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives enrich the creative process.

Key Research Areas:

  • Generative Art Systems and Algorithmic Aesthetics
  • Human-AI Collaboration in Creative Practice
  • Affective Computing in Interactive Installations
  • Bio-inspired Computational Art

Selected Publications:

  • The Algorithmic Muse: Computational Creativity and the New Artistic Paradigm. MIT Press. 2023. (ISBN: 978-0-262-04789-1, Pub. No. MECA88701)
  • Kask, E. & Virtanen, L. “Emergent Narratives in AI-Driven Interactive Art.” Journal of Digital Creativity, Vol. 34, Issue 2, pp. 112-129. 2022. (DOI: 10.1080/14626268.2022.207885, Pub. No. MECA88702)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Prix Ars Electronica – Award of Distinction for Interactive Art+, 2021.
  • Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Research Grant for “AI-CONSCIOUS: Artificially Intelligent Co-Creative Systems,” 2020-2024.

Dr. Tiago Almeida Associate Professor in Design Engineering & Sustainable Systems, Department of Creative Technologies & Design Engineering

Dr. Almeida holds a doctorate in Sustainable Design Engineering from the Technical University of Delft. His work focuses on the intersection of advanced manufacturing, material innovation, and circular economy principles within product design. He has led several EU-funded projects aimed at developing next-generation sustainable materials and manufacturing processes. Dr. Almeida’s pedagogy integrates systems thinking and life-cycle assessment, preparing students to design solutions that are both innovative and environmentally responsible.

Key Research Areas:

  • Circular Economy Models for Product Design
  • Bio-mimetic Approaches in Sustainable Engineering
  • Advanced Digital Fabrication for Resilient Systems
  • Life Cycle Assessment and Eco-Design Strategies

Selected Publications:

  • Almeida, T. “Bio-Integrated Design: Engineering Nature-Inspired Sustainable Futures.” Elsevier Applied Science. 2024. (ISBN: 978-0-128-24367-5, Pub. No. MECA88703)
  • Almeida, T., & Chen, L. “Additive Manufacturing for Closed-Loop Product Lifecycles.” International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 45-60. 2023. (ISSN: 1939-7038, Pub. No. MECA88704)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • EU Horizon Europe Grant – “CircularTechDesign” Project Coordinator, 2022-2026.
  • Red Dot Award: Design Concept (Luminary) for “AlgaForm Bioplastics,” 2020.

Dr. Zofia Nowakowska Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Semiotics, Department of Visual Communication & Media Innovation

Dr. Nowakowska received her PhD in Media and Communication Studies from the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, specialising in visual rhetoric and critical media theory. Her research examines the persuasive power of images in contemporary digital culture and the ethics of visual storytelling. Dr. Nowakowska is passionate about empowering students to become critical consumers and producers of media, fostering a deep understanding of how visual language shapes perception and influences societal narratives.

Key Research Areas:

  • Visual Semiotics and Rhetoric in Digital Media
  • Ethics of Data Visualisation and Infographics
  • Post-Truth Narratives and Visual Culture
  • Transmedia Storytelling and Audience Engagement

Selected Publications:

  • Nowakowska, Z. The Persuasive Pixel: Visual Ethics in the Age of Digital Mediation. Routledge. 2022. (ISBN: 978-0-367-62001-7, Pub. No. MECA88705)
  • Nowakowska, Z. “Deconstructing Virality: Semiotic Architectures of Persuasion in Social Media Campaigns.” Visual Communication Quarterly, Vol. 29, Issue 4, pp. 210-225. 2021. (DOI: 10.1080/15551393.2021.198834, Pub. No. MECA88706)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Visiting Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, 2023.
  • Polish National Science Centre (NCN) Opus Grant for “Visual Disinformation Ecologies,” 2019-2022.

Dr. Lars Eriksen Professor of Design History & Material Culture, Department of Art & Design Theory

Professor Eriksen, an alumnus of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design, subsequently earned his DPhil in Design History from the University of Oxford. His scholarly work investigates the socio-cultural significance of everyday objects and the evolution of design thinking across different historical periods. He is particularly known for his research on Scandinavian modernism and its global influence. Professor Eriksen’s lectures are celebrated for their engaging narrative style, connecting historical precedents with contemporary design challenges.

Key Research Areas:

  • Scandinavian Design and its Global Diaspora
  • The Social History of Domestic Objects
  • Material Culture and Identity Formation
  • Sustainable Futures and Design Heritage

Selected Publications:

  • Eriksen, L. Objects of Our Lives: A Material History of the 20th Century Home. Bloomsbury Academic. 2023. (ISBN: 978-1-350-18776-9, Pub. No. MECA88707)
  • Eriksen, L. “The Democratic Object: Re-evaluating the Legacy of Scandinavian Modernism.” Journal of Design History, Vol. 35, Issue 3, pp. 231-248. 2022. (ISSN: 0952-4649, Pub. No. MECA88708)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog for services to Danish Design History, 2024.
  • Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship, 2018-2021.

Dr. Ieva Ozoliņa Lecturer in Creative Robotics & Physical Computing, Department of Creative Technologies & Design Engineering

Dr. Ozoliņa completed her PhD in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at Riga Technical University, Latvia, where her research focused on human-robot interaction in creative contexts. She is passionate about demystifying complex technologies and making them accessible for artistic and design applications. Her studio courses often involve hands-on projects where students build interactive installations and kinetic sculptures. Dr. Ozoliņa champions a playful yet rigorous approach to learning.

Key Research Areas:

  • Expressive Robotics and Kinetic Art
  • Physical Computing for Interactive Environments
  • Tangible User Interfaces and Embodied Interaction
  • Ethical Considerations in Creative AI and Robotics

Selected Publications:

  • Ozoliņa, I. & Kalniņš, J. “Choreographing Machines: Aesthetics of Movement in Creative Robotics.” Leonardo Journal, MIT Press, Vol. 56, Issue 4, pp. 390-398. 2023. (DOI: 10.1162/leon_a_02401, Pub. No. MECA88709)
  • Ozoliņa, I. (2022). Tactile Code: A Maker’s Guide to Physical Computing for Artists. Maker Media Press. (ISBN: 978-1-680-45001-2, Pub. No. MECA88710)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Latvian Ministry of Education and Science Postdoctoral Research Grant, 2020.
  • Special Mention, International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) for “Symbiotic Sculptures,” 2023.

Dr. Réka Horváth Associate Professor of Critical Media Studies & Digital Ethics, Head of Visual Communication & Media Innovation

Dr. Horváth earned her PhD from Central European University, Budapest, focusing on the political economy of digital platforms and surveillance capitalism. Her research critically examines the societal impact of emerging media technologies, with a particular emphasis on digital rights, privacy, and algorithmic governance. Dr. Horváth is dedicated to fostering critical digital literacy among students, encouraging them to engage thoughtfully with the complex ethical dilemmas of our networked age.

Key Research Areas:

  • Platform Governance and Algorithmic Power
  • Digital Citizenship and Data Justice
  • Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Media
  • Surveillance Studies and Critical Data Practices

Selected Publications:

  • Horváth, R. The Algorithmic Citizen: Platform Power and the Shaping of Digital Selves. Polity Press. 2023. (ISBN: 978-1-509-55123-4, Pub. No. MECA88711)
  • Horváth, R. “Invisible Infrastructures: The Ethics of Algorithmic Curation in News Ecosystems.” New Media & Society, Vol. 24, Issue 9, pp. 1987-2005. 2022. (DOI: 10.1177/1461444821103515, Pub. No. MECA88712)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Erasmus Mundus Fellowship for Doctoral Research.
  • Research Grant, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, for “Comparative Digital Rights in Europe,” 2021-2023.

Dr. Matteo Ricciardi Professor of Architectural Technology & Parametric Design, Department of Creative Technologies & Design Engineering

Professor Ricciardi, with a Doctor of Design (DDes) from Politecnico di Milano, is an expert in computational design and digital fabrication in architecture. His research explores how parametric tools and robotic construction can lead to more sustainable and adaptive built environments. He has collaborated on several award-winning architectural projects that integrate cutting-edge technology with ecological principles. Professor Ricciardi’s studios push students to experiment with complex geometries and innovative material assemblies.

Key Research Areas:

  • Parametric Design and Algorithmic Architecture
  • Robotic Fabrication and Automated Construction
  • Performance-Driven Design and Environmental Simulation
  • Smart Materials and Adaptive Building Skins

Selected Publications:

  • Ricciardi, M. Algorithmic Ecologies: Towards a Responsive Architecture. Actar Publishers. 2024. (ISBN: 978-1-957-18355-8, Pub. No. MECA88713)
  • Ricciardi, M., & Wagner, S. “Robotic Assembly of Complex Timber Structures: Challenges and Opportunities.” Construction Robotics, Vol. 7, pp. 345-360. 2023. (DOI: 10.1007/s41693-023-00101-z, Pub. No. MECA88714)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction (Europe – Gold), for “Bio-climatic Urban Canopy,” 2021.
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, 2017-2019.

Dr. Anja Petrović Senior Lecturer in Game Design & Narrative Structures, Department of Digital & Interactive Art

Dr. Petrović holds a PhD in Digital Media from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a specialisation in interactive narrative and game studies. Her research investigates player agency, emergent storytelling, and the potential of games for social impact and critical discourse. She is an advocate for inclusive game design practices and actively promotes student projects that explore unconventional themes and mechanics. Dr. Petrović’s courses blend theoretical analysis with practical game development workshops.

Key Research Areas:

  • Interactive Narrative and Player Agency in Games
  • Serious Games for Education and Social Change
  • Procedural Content Generation for Storytelling
  • Inclusive Design Practices in Game Development

Selected Publications:

  • Petrović, A. The Ludic Interface: Agency and Meaning in Interactive Digital Narratives. Amsterdam University Press. 2023. (ISBN: 978-9-463-72090-0, Pub. No. MECA88715)
  • Petrović, A. “Beyond the Binary: Designing for Diverse Player Identities.” Game Studies: The International Journal of Computer Game Research, Vol. 22, Issue 1. 2022. (ISSN: 1604-7982, Pub. No. MECA88716)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Independent Games Festival (IGF) Award for Nuovo (Innovation) – Nominee, 2020.
  • Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) Grant for “Games for Empathy,” 2021-2024.

Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos Professor of Sound Design & Auditory Culture, Department of Visual Communication & Media Innovation

Professor Papadopoulos earned his doctorate in Music Technology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and is a renowned sound artist and researcher. His work explores the intersection of sound, space, and technology, with a focus on immersive audio experiences and the sonification of data. He has created sound installations for international festivals and galleries. Professor Papadopoulos encourages students to develop a critical ear and explore sound as a powerful communicative and artistic medium.

Key Research Areas:

  • Immersive Audio and Spatial Sound Design (Ambisonics, Binaural)
  • Data Sonification and Auditory Display
  • Acoustic Ecology and Soundscape Studies
  • Interactive Music Systems and Generative Sound Art

Selected Publications:

  • Papadopoulos, N. Sonic Architectures: Crafting Immersive Auditory Environments. Routledge (Focal Press). 2022. (ISBN: 978-0-367-70001- mecanismos, Pub. No. MECA88717)
  • Papadopoulos, N. & Georgiou, E. “The Affective Dimensions of Data Sonification in Climate Change Communication.” Organised Sound, Vol. 27, Issue 3, pp. 289-301. 2022. (DOI: 10.1017/S135577182200015X, Pub. No. MECA88718)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Giga-Hertz Award for Electronic Music and Sound Art – Production Prize, 2023.
  • Stavros Niarchos Foundation Artist Fellowship, 2019.

Dr. Cláudia Varela Lecturer in Experience Design & Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), High School Programme & Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Varela completed her PhD in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, focusing on user experience (UX) design for emerging technologies and vulnerable populations. She is passionate about instilling design thinking principles from an early stage and has experience developing curricula for high school technology programmes. Dr. Varela emphasizes empathetic design processes and user-centred research methodologies in her teaching, preparing students for diverse roles in the UX/UI field.

Key Research Areas:

  • User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design for Emerging Technologies
  • Inclusive Design and Accessibility in HCI
  • Co-design Methodologies with Marginalised Communities
  • Affective Computing and Emotional Design

Selected Publications:

  • Varela, C. & Santos, P. “Designing for Digital Dignity: UX Strategies for Underserved Youth.” ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS), Vol. 16, Issue 2, Article 7. 2023. (DOI: 10.1145/3580491, Pub. No. MECA88719)
  • Varela, C. Empathy in Pixels: A Practitioner’s Guide to Human-Centred Digital Product Design. New Riders. 2024. (ISBN: 978-0-137-90080-9, Pub. No. MECA88720)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Google Faculty Research Award in HCI, 2022.
  • FCT Portugal PhD Scholarship.

Dr. Eoin O’Connell Senior Lecturer in Film & Transmedia Production, Department of Visual Communication & Media Innovation

Dr. O’Connell, an alumnus of the National Film School at IADT Dublin, holds a PhD in Film Studies from University College Cork, Ireland. His research and practice explore the intersections of documentary filmmaking, interactive cinema, and transmedia storytelling. He has directed several award-winning short films and interactive documentaries. Dr. O’Connell’s teaching focuses on developing students’ narrative craft alongside their technical proficiency, encouraging innovative approaches to filmmaking in the digital age.

Key Research Areas:

  • Interactive Documentary and Non-linear Filmmaking
  • Transmedia Narrative Strategies and World-Building
  • The Ethics of Representation in Documentary Film
  • Emerging Technologies in Cinematic Storytelling (VR/AR Film)

Selected Publications:

  • O’Connell, E. The Interactive Frame: New Narrative Possibilities in Digital Cinema. Columbia University Press. 2023. (ISBN: 978-0-231-20559-7, Pub. No. MECA88721)
  • O’Connell, E. “Participatory Worlds: Audience Agency in Transmedia Franchises.” Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, Vol. 28, Issue 5, pp. 1301-1317. 2022. (DOI: 10.1177/1354856522109876, Pub. No. MECA88722)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Irish Arts Council Film Project Award, 2021.
  • Best Short Interactive Documentary, (Fictional) IDFA DocLab Competition, 2019.

Dr. Astrid Lindholm Associate Professor of Fashion Technology & Sustainable Textiles, Department of Creative Technologies & Design Engineering

Dr. Lindholm received her PhD in Textile Technology from the Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås. Her research centres on smart textiles, wearable technology, and the development of sustainable and circular systems for the fashion industry. She is a strong advocate for ethical production and material innovation. Dr. Lindholm’s courses integrate design thinking with material science and technological experimentation, challenging students to redefine the future of fashion.

Key Research Areas:

  • Smart Textiles and Wearable Electronics
  • Sustainable Material Innovation in Fashion
  • Circular Fashion Systems and Closed-Loop Manufacturing
  • Digital Fashion and Virtual Prototyping

Selected Publications:

  • Lindholm, A. The Sentient Thread: Smart Textiles and the Future of Apparel. Thames & Hudson. 2024. (ISBN: 978-0-500-29750-3, Pub. No. MECA88723)
  • Lindholm, A., & Persson, M. “Bio-Integrated Fibres: Towards a New Paradigm for Sustainable Fashion Tech.” Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice, Vol. 11, Issue 1, pp. 67-88. 2023. (DOI: 10.1080/20511787.2022.215432, Pub. No. MECA88724)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • H&M Foundation Global Change Award – Early Bird Winner, for “Cellulose-Based Smart Fibres,” 2020.
  • Vinnova Sweden Research Grant for “TextileLoop: Advancing Circularity in Swedish Fashion,” 2022-2025.

Dr. Tomáš Novák Lecturer in Photography & Post-Photographic Practices, Department of Digital & Interactive Art

Dr. Novák completed his PhD at FAMU (Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts) in Prague, Czech Republic. His practice-led research explores the evolving nature of photography in the age of computational imaging, AI, and synthetic media. He often works with lens-based media, algorithmic processing, and archival materials. Dr. Novák encourages students to critically examine the truth claims of photography and explore its expanded conceptual and material possibilities.

Key Research Areas:

  • Post-Photography and Computational Imaging
  • The Photographic Archive in the Digital Age
  • AI and Synthetic Media in Lens-Based Art
  • Critical Approaches to Documentary Photography

Selected Publications:

  • Novák, T. Beyond the Shutter: Photography in the Age of AI. Aperture Foundation. 2023. (ISBN: 978-1-59711-555-0, Pub. No. MECA88725)
  • Novák, T. “The Algorithmic Gaze: Reconsidering Photographic Truth in an Era of Synthetic Images.” Philosophy of Photography, Vol. 13, Issue 2, pp. 145-162. 2022. (ISSN: 2040-3691, Pub. No. MECA88726)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Plat(t)form – Fotomuseum Winterthur, Selected Artist, 2022.
  • Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) Junior Star Grant, 2021-2024.

Dr. Sofia Rossi Professor of Art & Technology Business Management, Programme Director for Creative Industries Enterprise

Professor Rossi holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi and a PhD in Management of Creative Industries from LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome. Her research focuses on innovation management, entrepreneurship, and strategic branding within the art, design, and technology sectors. She has extensive consulting experience with creative start-ups and cultural institutions. Professor Rossi’s teaching, aligned with MECA’s AACSB accreditation focus, equips students with the business acumen to lead and innovate successfully in creative enterprises.

Key Research Areas:

  • Innovation Management in Creative and Cultural Industries
  • Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation in Art & Tech
  • Strategic Branding for Design-Led Businesses
  • Intellectual Property Management in the Digital Age

Selected Publications:

  • Rossi, S. The Creative Enterprise: Managing Innovation at the Intersection of Art, Design, and Technology. Palgrave Macmillan. 2023. (ISBN: 978-3-031-12345-6, Pub. No. MECA88727)
  • Rossi, S., & Conti, A. “Value Co-creation in Digital Art Marketplaces: A Business Model Perspective.” Journal of Business Research, Vol. 145, pp. 310-322. 2022. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.001, Pub. No. MECA88728)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • Bocconi University Research Excellence Award, 2021.
  • European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Culture & Creativity Grant for “Creative Business Accelerators,” 2023-2026.

Dr. Joris Peeters Senior Lecturer in Urban Informatics & Smart City Design, Department of Creative Technologies & Design Engineering

Dr. Peeters completed his PhD in Urban Studies and Planning at KU Leuven, Belgium, with a focus on the application of data analytics and digital technologies to urban environments. His research investigates how smart city initiatives can be designed to be more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred. He collaborates with municipalities and urban development agencies on applied research projects. Dr. Peeters’ courses challenge students to use design and technology to address complex urban problems.

Key Research Areas:

  • Critical Urban Data Studies and Smart City Governance
  • Human-Centred Design for Urban Technologies
  • Participatory Sensing and Citizen Science in Urban Planning
  • Sustainable Mobility and Smart Infrastructure

Selected Publications:

  • Peeters, J. The Algorithmic Polis: Designing Just and Sustainable Smart Cities. nai010 Publishers. 2024. (ISBN: 978-9-462-08789-0, Pub. No. MECA88729)
  • Peeters, J., & Van der Velde, M. “Data Hermeneutics: Interpreting Urban Data for Inclusive Policy-Making.” Urban Studies, Vol. 60, Issue 7, pp. 1234-1250. 2023. (DOI: 10.1177/0042098022112233, Pub. No. MECA88730)

Notable Awards and Grants:

  • FWO (Research Foundation – Flanders) Senior Research Project Grant, 2022-2026.
  • Smart Cities & Communities Lighthouse Project – EU H2020, Contributing Partner.