Dima
mariza is a reader in games design. she specialises in user experience and user interface design for developing meaningful and engaging interactions particularly using mobile, ar and haptic technologies. she has worked between academia and the creative industries as an interaction designer and creative technologist in r&d projects combining engineering and design approaches grounded on theoretical contexts of narrative, affective dramaturgy, and audience/player engagement. her reseech interests are in experience design methdologies for cyber-physical environments, and applied games for social innovation (live action, role playing, digital). a keen knowledge hunter, she is often inspired by and experiments playfully with perspectives from different fields that could offer a useful alternative lens on user experience design and then turns them into a tool for designing engaging experiences. her design approach is holistic and experiential where the designer embeds and immerses herself in a collaborative design process and views it as an educational and transformative experience rather than participating in it as a design expert. she also consults on strategies for devising and developing digital projects and user interactions in the creative industries and has expertise in design methods for collaboration and co-creation. user experience and user interface design for multi-sensory body-based interactions with a focus on augmented and mixed reality games for change – using games for awareness and social innovation mariza’s work has been published and exhibited widely in leading academic conferences such as siggraph asia, chi, hci international, british hci, nordichi. ui/ux design for games, games programming (python), concept communication, studio practice
![Dr Mariza Dima]()
Dr Mariza Dima
Mariza is a Reader in Games Design. She specialises in User Experience and User Interface design for developing meaningful and engaging interactions particularly using mobile, AR and haptic technologies. She has worked between academia and the creative industries as an interaction designer and creative technologist in R&D projects combining engineering and design approaches grounded on theoretical contexts of narrative, affective dramaturgy, and audience/player engagement. Her reseech interests are in experience design methdologies for cyber-physical environments, and applied games for social innovation (live action, role playing, digital). A keen knowledge hunter, she is often inspired by and experiments playfully with perspectives from different fields that could offer a useful alternative lens on user experience design and then turns them into a tool for designing engaging experiences. Her design approach is holistic and experiential where the designer embeds and immerses herself in a collaborative design process and views it as an educational and transformative experience rather than participating in it as a design expert. She also consults on strategies for devising and developing digital projects and user interactions in the creative industries and has expertise in design methods for collaboration and co-creation. User Experience and User Interface design for multi-sensory body-based interactions with a focus on Augmented and Mixed Reality Games for Change – using games for awareness and social innovation Mariza’s work has been published and exhibited widely in leading academic conferences such as SIGGRAPH Asia, CHI, HCI International, British HCI, NordiCHI. UI/UX Design for Games, Games Programming (Python), Concept Communication, Studio Practice
Ivanescu
i am a senior lecturer and programme lead for the games design ba at brunel university london, where lead modules across our undergraduate programme and contribute significantly to curriculum development. my teaching focuses on equipping students with the critical and practical skills needed to analyze and create within the dynamic field of video games. i am committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that encourages students to engage deeply with the cultural and societal dimensions of games. my research complements my teaching, focusing on issues of representation, censorship, nostalgia, and genre in games, as well as the role of music and sound in shaping player experiences. this interdisciplinary approach enables me to bring fresh insights into the classroom, connecting academic theory with real-world applications in game design and analysis. in addition to my academic responsibilities, i contribute to the wider research community as a board member for organizations such as british digra and the ludomusicology research group, reflecting my dedication to advancing the study of games both within and beyond the university setting. game censorship and regulation video game music and ludomusicology gender and representation in games genre conventions in video games popular music and nostalgia policy and public engagement game studies ludomusicology cultural studies gender studies popular music studies game studies game genre research methods socio-cultural studies ludomusicology throughout my time at brunel i have taught modules at every level of our taught programmes (fhea l4, l5, l6 and l7). i have also successfully supervised both undergraduate and ma dissertations (2017-present), with one of my ma dissertation students winning the dean’s prize in 2017. i have also received two student-led teaching awards nominations for best tutor/supervisor. i am also an hea fellow.
![Dr Andra Ivanescu]()
Dr Andra Ivanescu
I am a Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for the Games Design BA at Brunel University London, where lead modules across our undergraduate programme and contribute significantly to curriculum development. My teaching focuses on equipping students with the critical and practical skills needed to analyze and create within the dynamic field of video games. I am committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that encourages students to engage deeply with the cultural and societal dimensions of games. My research complements my teaching, focusing on issues of representation, censorship, nostalgia, and genre in games, as well as the role of music and sound in shaping player experiences. This interdisciplinary approach enables me to bring fresh insights into the classroom, connecting academic theory with real-world applications in game design and analysis. In addition to my academic responsibilities, I contribute to the wider research community as a board member for organizations such as British DiGRA and the Ludomusicology Research Group, reflecting my dedication to advancing the study of games both within and beyond the university setting. Game Censorship and Regulation Video Game Music and Ludomusicology Gender and Representation in Games Genre Conventions in Video Games Popular Music and Nostalgia Policy and Public Engagement Game Studies Ludomusicology Cultural Studies Gender Studies Popular Music Studies Game Studies Game Genre Research Methods Socio-Cultural Studies Ludomusicology Throughout my time at Brunel I have taught modules at every level of our taught programmes (FHEA L4, L5, L6 and L7). I have also successfully supervised both undergraduate and MA dissertations (2017-present), with one of my MA dissertation students winning the Dean’s Prize in 2017. I have also received two Student-Led Teaching Awards nominations for Best Tutor/Supervisor. I am also an HEA Fellow.
Girina
ivan girina is a senior lecturer in game studies and holds a phd in film and television studies from the university of warwick, his research is currently focused on digital games asethetic, particualrly its relationship with cinema and larger visual media landscapes. ivan is also co-founder and member of the editorial board of the international academic journal g|a|m|e – games as art, media and entertainment. he has published on a variety of topics such as: cinematic games; video game agency; film and new media; media literacy and education; and italian regional cinema. i am module convenor for: fm2608 (ba) - game studies 2: concepts and analysis fm3615 (ba) - theory project: business & development fm3616 (ba) - theory project: game analysis gd3600 (ba) - film and video games gd5600 (ma) - interdisciplinary module gd5604 (ma) - game studies: cocepts, contexts & analysis
![Dr Ivan Girina]()
Dr Ivan Girina
Ivan Girina is a Senior Lecturer in Game Studies and holds a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick, his research is currently focused on digital games asethetic, particualrly its relationship with cinema and larger visual media landscapes. Ivan is also co-founder and member of the Editorial Board of the international academic journal G|A|M|E – Games as Art, Media and Entertainment. He has published on a variety of topics such as: cinematic games; video game agency; film and new media; media literacy and education; and Italian regional cinema. I am Module Convenor for: FM2608 (BA) - Game Studies 2: Concepts and Analysis FM3615 (BA) - Theory Project: Business & Development FM3616 (BA) - Theory Project: Game Analysis GD3600 (BA) - Film and Video Games GD5600 (MA) - Interdisciplinary Module GD5604 (MA) - Game Studies: Cocepts, Contexts & Analysis
Ferguson
brent is a lecturer in games sound and music. they are also a performer, composer, and scholar of videogame music. brent's research interest are in music and multimedia, the weaponization of music, and arranging videogame music for the guitar. their co-written research has appeared in the journal of music theory pedagogy (2020), the journal of sound and music in games (2021), and the edited collections nostalgia and videogame music (2022, edited by can askoy, vincent rone, and sarah pozderac-chenevey) and the intersection of animation, video games, and music (2023, edited by lisa scoggin and dana plank). brent has also presented at conferences such as the american musicological society (2017), the north american conference on video game music (2020, 2021) and the ludomusicology research group conference (2020, 2021). brent also performs on the classical and electric guitars, as well as keyboard instruments. they have performed with american groups mothership: a led zeppelin experience and q: the music of queen for over a decade. brent also performs with dr. michael averett as the mient duo, and they released their first album, ...souls like birds, under the centaur record label. they had the privelege of performing eric roth's rpg national anthem variations at naka-kon in overland park, kansas in 2022. brent has also performed with various jazz groups including the river city jazz band, the solid brass jazz ensemble and the randy runyon project on piano/keys. brent's compositions have appeared in a variety of independent videogames, as well as the concert stage. to find out more, please visit their website here. brent's research interest are in music and multimedia, the weaponization of music, and arranging videogame music for the guitar. ludomusicology critical studies in music popular music film music music videos game audio 1 game audio 2 dynamic audio and implementation
![Dr Brent Ferguson]()
Dr Brent Ferguson
Brent is a Lecturer in Games Sound and Music. They are also a performer, composer, and scholar of videogame music. Brent's research interest are in music and multimedia, the weaponization of music, and arranging videogame music for the guitar. Their co-written research has appeared in the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy (2020), the Journal of Sound and Music in Games (2021), and the edited collections Nostalgia and Videogame Music (2022, edited by Can Askoy, Vincent Rone, and Sarah Pozderac-Chenevey) and The Intersection of Animation, Video Games, and Music (2023, edited by Lisa Scoggin and Dana Plank). Brent has also presented at conferences such as the American Musicological Society (2017), the North American Conference on Video Game Music (2020, 2021) and the Ludomusicology Research Group Conference (2020, 2021). Brent also performs on the classical and electric guitars, as well as keyboard instruments. They have performed with American groups Mothership: A Led Zeppelin Experience and Q: The Music of Queen for over a decade. Brent also performs with Dr. Michael Averett as the MIENT Duo, and they released their first album, ...souls like birds, under the Centaur record label. They had the privelege of performing Eric Roth's RPG National Anthem Variations at Naka-Kon in Overland Park, Kansas in 2022. Brent has also performed with various jazz groups including the River City Jazz Band, the Solid Brass Jazz Ensemble and the Randy Runyon Project on piano/keys. Brent's compositions have appeared in a variety of independent videogames, as well as the concert stage. To find out more, please visit their website here. Brent's research interest are in music and multimedia, the weaponization of music, and arranging videogame music for the guitar. Ludomusicology Critical Studies in Music Popular Music Film Music Music Videos Game Audio 1 Game Audio 2 Dynamic Audio and Implementation
Farquharson
my research interests lie at the intersection of military history, organisational learning, and game-based approaches to knowledge and engagement. building on extensive experience with military history, i maintain a long-standing focus on british and imperial twentieth-century history, particularly the education, training, and adaptation of armed forces during periods of strategic and technological change. drawing on theories of organisational culture and learning, my work explores how and why military organisations learn, the factors that enable or constrain that learning, and the ways in which institutions respond to shifting operational demands. more recently, my interest in games as vehicles for learning has led me to examine their value as tools for public engagement with historical themes. this includes investigating how game-based experiences shape understanding, interpretation, and memory of the past. in parallel, my research considers the evolution of wargaming as both a professional practice within defence and non-defence establishments and an emerging academic methodology. i am particularly interested in how wargames can be designed, implemented, and assessed to support decision-making, understand organisational cultures and integrate learning processes. military history, war studies, military education and training, military culture, institutional cultural change, imperial and commonwealth history, wargaming, organisational resilience. gd5614 - wargames analysis and research methods gd5616 - wargames design and delivery gd5612 - design project gc3600 - dissertation in global challenges
![Dr Iain Farquharson]()
Dr Iain Farquharson
My research interests lie at the intersection of military history, organisational learning, and game-based approaches to knowledge and engagement. Building on extensive experience with military history, I maintain a long-standing focus on British and Imperial twentieth-century history, particularly the education, training, and adaptation of armed forces during periods of strategic and technological change. Drawing on theories of organisational culture and learning, my work explores how and why military organisations learn, the factors that enable or constrain that learning, and the ways in which institutions respond to shifting operational demands. More recently, my interest in games as vehicles for learning has led me to examine their value as tools for public engagement with historical themes. This includes investigating how game-based experiences shape understanding, interpretation, and memory of the past. In parallel, my research considers the evolution of wargaming as both a professional practice within defence and non-defence establishments and an emerging academic methodology. I am particularly interested in how wargames can be designed, implemented, and assessed to support decision-making, understand organisational cultures and integrate learning processes. Military History, War Studies, Military Education and Training, Military Culture, Institutional Cultural Change, Imperial and Commonwealth History, Wargaming, Organisational Resilience. GD5614 - Wargames Analysis and Research Methods GD5616 - Wargames Design and Delivery GD5612 - Design Project GC3600 - Dissertation in Global Challenges
Deniozou
thaleia is the division lead for digital arts, managing the games design subject and overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of study within the division. she is also a reader in games art and the theme leader for the art pathway of the ba games design, leading the art provision within the subject. thaleia's background is interdisciplinary, with a focus on cultural technology and communication, digital media design and art history and practice. her phd research investigated the design of mobile game-based learning applications to help adult learners develop language skills. her research interests are on game-based learning design, creative pedagogy and educational innovation within higher education, while she is particularly interested in serious games and games for change. thaleia has been teaching on the areas of digital arts, video games and media design in higher education for more than ten years. she teaches art-focused modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level and her teaching is informed by art theory and practice, creative thinking, concepts of visual style and graphical vocabularies and visual aesthetics within games. thaleia’s research is interdisciplinary, focusing on games art and game-based learning (gbl). her research looks at digital media art and games as experimental artistic media and focuses on the design of art assets for games from the perspective of visual communication, visual style and graphical vocabularies. her phd research focused on developing best design practices for mobile game-based learning applications, looking at everyday skill development in adults. bringing together the two areas that thaleia works and specialises on, she is also very interested in art thinking and education, as well as teaching and learning practices in creative disciplines. thaleia is the theme leader for the art pathway within the ba games design. she teaches a range of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level on the areas of art theory and practice, concept art, 2d/3d asset creation, visual research and storytelling, and digital illustration. thaleia is currently the module leader for: fm2610 asset creation 2: advanced techniques fm3623 major game art project fm3619 concept art gd5602 art thinking for games: visual design, creativity and style she is also contributing to the postgraduate team-taught module gd5601: interdisciplinary games design, and supervises final year ba projects and postgraduate dissertations.
![Dr Thaleia Deniozou]()
Dr Thaleia Deniozou
Thaleia is the Division Lead for Digital Arts, managing the Games Design subject and overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of study within the Division. She is also a Reader in Games Art and the Theme Leader for the Art Pathway of the BA Games Design, leading the art provision within the subject. Thaleia's background is interdisciplinary, with a focus on cultural technology and communication, digital media design and art history and practice. Her PhD research investigated the design of mobile game-based learning applications to help adult learners develop language skills. Her research interests are on game-based learning design, creative pedagogy and educational innovation within Higher Education, while she is particularly interested in serious games and games for change. Thaleia has been teaching on the areas of digital arts, video games and media design in Higher Education for more than ten years. She teaches art-focused modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level and her teaching is informed by art theory and practice, creative thinking, concepts of visual style and graphical vocabularies and visual aesthetics within games. Thaleia’s research is interdisciplinary, focusing on games art and game-based learning (GBL). Her research looks at digital media art and games as experimental artistic media and focuses on the design of art assets for games from the perspective of visual communication, visual style and graphical vocabularies. Her PhD research focused on developing best design practices for mobile game-based learning applications, looking at everyday skill development in adults. Bringing together the two areas that Thaleia works and specialises on, she is also very interested in art thinking and education, as well as teaching and learning practices in creative disciplines. Thaleia is the Theme Leader for the Art Pathway within the BA Games Design. She teaches a range of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level on the areas of art theory and practice, concept art, 2D/3D asset creation, visual research and storytelling, and digital illustration. Thaleia is currently the module leader for: FM2610 Asset Creation 2: Advanced Techniques FM3623 Major Game Art Project FM3619 Concept Art GD5602 Art Thinking for Games: Visual Design, Creativity and Style She is also contributing to the postgraduate team-taught module GD5601: Interdisciplinary Games Design, and supervises final year BA projects and postgraduate dissertations.