In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit  down with Bregtje van der Haak, documentary filmmaker and journalist at VPRO Backlight, and Michel Reilhac, director of Submarine Channel and  Head of Studies for the Venice Biennale College.   In this interview we talk about innovations in documentary film and digital storytelling (such as interactive, immersive, VR, and the metaverse), how you define 'success' as a media professional, and how to support and maintain an artistic pract ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit down with Monique van Dusseldorp, Amsterdam-based curator and moderator of events on media, technology, and innovation (such as NEXTconf, CrossMediaCafé, Basecamp, New World Same Humans) and Taco Rijssemus, CEO of All3Media Germany (before this CEO of idtv, and managing director of broadcasters KRO-NCRV and SBS).   In this interview about 'the' media topics discussed include the challenge of managing creative talent, staying on top of a rapidly c ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit down with Angie Smets, studio director at Guerilla Games (Killzone, Horizon Zero Dawn) and Christian Allen, game designer and Unreal Engine 5 evangelist at Epic Games (Fortnite). In our lovely conversation we talk about their experiences and views on the exponential growth and rapid professionalisation of the games industry in the last few decades, the challenges of managing complex projects with teams scattered across continents and time zones, and w ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit down with Christine Kearney of SBS and The Guardian Australia, Freek Staps (editor-in-chief at Dutch national news agency ANP, formerly at Dept Agency and NRC Handelsblad), and Amy Zerba, senior editor at the New York Times.   Across four time zones we talk about - among many other things - how to manage creativity, achieving work-life balance, and how excited we are about the future of journalism.   Recorded on Thursday evening January 27 ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit  down with Atze de Vrieze, Dutch music journalist and podcaster, and Ben Swanson, co-founder of indie record label Secretly Canadian Records out  of Bloomington, Indiana in the United States.   In this wide-ranging discussion we talk about their careers and  experiences, what it takes to 'make it work' in the music industry, how  technological transformations influence and shape creative practices, what it means to 'keep it re ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with  inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit  down with Sharid Alles, Dutch radio station manager and childrens' book author, and Imogen Champagne, audience editor at Crikey (Australia),  formerly of The Correspondent.    In this open-hearted discussion we talk about their careers and experiences, what it takes to 'make it work' in radio and online, how to  balance individual passion with the (commercial and managerial) realities of the media as a business, and the ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with inspiring media scholars and professionals from around the world, I sit  down with Femke Lakerveld, Dutch actress known from her work in film and television (as well as music and the theater), and Brian Steward,  Director of the Colorado Film School with a long career as Assistant Director in Hollywood.   In this open, wide-ranging interview we talk about their careers and experiences, what it takes to 'make it work' in  film and television, how to build a reputation and a sense of self-worth, balancin ..read more

In this instalment of my series of interviews with media scholars I admire a conversation with Belinda Middleweek (University of Technology Sydney, co-author of "Real Sex Films") and Feona Attwood (Northumbria University, author of "Sex Media"), two fabulous scholars in the area of sex (and) media. The conversation covers about all things related to sex and media: sexual identity exploration, pornography, sex work, human-sex doll relationships, sex journalism, technosexualities and digital intimacies.  Recorded Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The vlog version of this interview is available on YouT ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with media scholars, I sit down with Anabel Quan-Haase, Professor at the  Faculty of Information & Media Studies of Western University in  London, Ontario (Canada). We talk about her extensive work on digital media, technology and society, her insistence on an ethical perspective on digital inequalities and divides, and how an intersectional awareness shapes  her thinking, teaching and research. Anabel's background as having lived and worked in Guatemala, Germany and  Canada comes into play as well, as ..read more

In this episode of my combined vlog/podcast series of conversations with media scholars, I sit down with Tanja Bosch (Centre for Film & Media Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Ellie Rennie (RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia). We discuss their extensive scholarship and advocacy of community media, focus on recently published work (such as Tanja's new book Social Media and Everyday Life in South Africa, and Ellie's work on blockchain technology), and explore what it means to be hopeful in our research and teaching on media in society. Recorded on Monday, April 19 (2021 ..read more