Spencer Striker, PhD | Professor of Digital Media Design
Bio
Professional Profile
Spencer Striker, PhD is Professor of Digital Media Design at Northwestern University in Qatar, where his applied research focuses on creating impact across three interconnected domains: historical understanding, media literacy, and civic engagement. With over 20 years bridging theory and practice—from Silicon Valley startups to academia—Dr. Striker has pioneered cross-platform development approaches that transform how we learn about and engage with complex subjects.
His award-winning History Adventures and Global Pandemics series exemplify his signature approach: crafting narrative-driven experiences that place learners at the center of compelling historical scenarios. These multimodal learning experiences combine mobile entertainment technology with the power of storytelling—bringing the pages of history to life while fostering empathy and enhancing knowledge retention. By positioning students as agents in pivotal global moments, his work challenges the "history is boring" stereotype through what James Paul Gee describes as "embodied empathy"—building relevance through plausible context and emotional resonance.
Dr. Striker's more recent work extends these principles to address urgent contemporary challenges. His Dr. Sara: Disease Detective leverages game-based learning to promote scientific reasoning and systems thinking around public health, while Chaos Corp: Troll Farm Simulator creates an immersive retro-futuristic media literacy experience that helps users decode digital deceit by understanding the mechanics of misinformation.
Across all platforms—from iPad apps and Android tablets to Chromebook web applications, VR experiences, and emerging AI-powered tools—his work maintains a consistent vision: igniting curiosity and enhancing understanding through thoughtfully designed digital experiences that meet users where they are. His projects have attracted substantial funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, Qatar National Research Foundation, and other prestigious organizations, while earning recognition through Anthem Awards, Reimagine Education Awards, and Webby Awards.
Dr. Striker's career represents a distinctive fusion of creative production, entrepreneurial innovation, and academic scholarship.
Career Trajectory
Northwestern University in Qatar (2019-Present)
Professor of Digital Media Design
Developed comprehensive Digital Media Design curriculum including courses in Interactive Product Design, Web Design, 2D/3D Animation, Sound Design, Digital Podcast Production, Mobile Game Design, VR Game Design, and AI Tools for Digital Media Design
Secured over $600,000 in competitive research funding from QNRF, NSF, NEH, and other sources
Led Communication Department as Chair (2022-2024)
Pioneered VR-based educational applications for hybrid learning environments
Established partnerships with Qatar-based design studios and technology firms
American University in Dubai (2015-2019)
Associate Professor of Digital Media & Program Coordinator
Coordinated Digital Media program, overseeing curriculum and student progression
Developed award-winning History Adventures digital learning series
Established Dubai Wave and Digital Dubai podcasts exploring innovation and creativity in the UAE
Mentored students in entrepreneurial digital media ventures
Galxyz Inc., Silicon Valley (2013-2015)
Founding Creative Director
Led creative direction for next-generation science learning platform backed by $4M Series A funding
Developed narrative framework, gameplay mechanics, and educational strategy
Collaborated with investors including Relay Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and Emerson Collective
University of Wisconsin System (2009-2012)
Co-Founder & Lecturer, Media Arts & Game Development Program
Co-developed innovative curriculum bridging game design, digital media production, and interactive storytelling
Expanded GameZombie TV from Indiana University to Wisconsin
Mentored student teams in professional game industry coverage and media production
GameZombie TV (2007-2012)
Founder & Executive Producer
Built award-winning digital media brand covering the game industry
Led team that secured four Webby Awards
Developed cross-disciplinary production model leveraging student talent
Secured press credentials at major industry events including E3, GDC, and PAX
Major Projects
History Adventures Series
An award-winning cross-platform digital learning series that transforms how students engage with global history through interactive narrative and immersive design.
Empires & Interconnections (2021-2023): Explores global connections from 1450-1750 through six character journeys across four continents. Available on iPad, Android tablet, and Apple Books.
Revolutions & Industrialization (2020-2021): Examines the period from 1750-1900 through five character perspectives. Available on Chromebook, iOS, Android, and Apple Books.
Generation Revolution (In Development): NEH-funded project exploring revolutionary-era New York, launching 2025.
Global Pandemics Series
Immersive learning experiences examining how pandemics have shaped human history, combining humanities perspectives with scientific understanding.
Plague of Athens VR (2023): Award-winning VR experience placing users in the role of a physician during history's first recorded pandemic. Available on Meta Quest, Steam VR, and Pico.
Plague of Athens Chromebook (2022): Browser-based interactive experience exploring medical ethics and pandemic response in ancient Greece.
Black Death Interactive (2024): Tablet-based experience following a young girl during the bubonic plague in 14th century Venice.
Media Literacy & Civic Engagement
Projects focused on enhancing critical thinking and democratic participation through digital media.
Chaos Corp: Troll Farm Simulator (2025): Educational game exploring digital misinformation and media manipulation.
Dr. Sara: Disease Detective (2021): Mobile game teaching epidemiology and scientific reasoning through interactive storytelling.
Digital Doha Podcast (2021-Present): Interview series exploring digital innovation across Qatar and the Middle East.
Awards & Recognition
Major Grants (Selections)
National Endowment for the Humanities: Digital Projects for the Public ($30,000)
National Science Foundation: National Innovation Corps Program ($50,000)
Qatar National Research Fund: VR as Hybrid Learning Solution ($50,000)
Northwestern's INVO: N.XT Ed Tech Seed Funding ($25,000)
Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South ($25,000)
HBKU Innovation Center: Rapid Response Grant ($27,000)
Media Awards (Selections)
2024 Reimagine Awards | Immersive Education: Bronze Medal - Plague of Athens VR
2024 3rd Anthem Awards: Best Literacy Platform - Empires & Interconnections
2024 Davey Awards | Best Immersive Experience: Gold Medal - Plague of Athens VR
2023 2nd Anthem Awards: Bronze Medal - Plague of Athens Chromebook
2022 Reimagine Education | Middle East: Gold Medal - Plague of Athens Chromebook
2022 Inaugural Anthem Awards: Silver Medal - History Adventures
2010 Webby Award & People's Voice Webby Award - Online Film & Video
2009/2008 Webby Honoree Award - Online Film & Video
Featured Talks
Explore thought-provoking presentations on digital learning design, creative AI applications, and the future of media literacy. Dr. Striker brings two decades of cross-disciplinary expertise to stages worldwide, delivering engaging insights at the intersection of technology, creativity, and education.
Sound Bytes | Decoding Disinformation via Immersive Gameplay by Spencer Striker
This Sound Bytes presentation introduces Chaos Corp, a groundbreaking digital card simulator developed at Northwestern University in Qatar's Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South. Designed by Spencer Striker, PhD, this immersive experience transports players to a neo-noir Philippines where they orchestrate a disinformation network, gaining unprecedented insight into digital manipulation mechanics. The talk explores the game's learning design methodology and its impact on digital literacy.
Keynote Talk: AI-Powered Creativity: Reimagining Media, Design & Education
Explore the transformative power of Generative AI in media, design, and education with Spencer Striker, PhD, Associate Professor of Digital Media Design at Northwestern University in Qatar. This insightful talk, presented at the Council of International Schools, delves into how AI is rapidly reshaping our creative processes, learning environments, and even university admissions.
Immersive Learning Design & Applied Research for Impact | Creative Work at the Nexus of History, Technology, and Education
Showcasing the intersection of digital media design and educational innovation, Dr. Striker's February 9 Hiwar Scholars presentation demonstrates how cross-platform development drives impact across historical understanding, media literacy, and civic engagement. From the award-winning History Adventures series to immersive pandemic simulations and media literacy games, this talk reveals how narrative-driven experiences ignite curiosity and enhance understanding for diverse audiences worldwide.
Personal Background
Dr. Striker grew up between New England, Southern California, and Europe before completing high school in Chicago. After earning dual degrees from the University of Texas, he lived in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil while pursuing creative writing. His global perspective has been shaped by working across the United States, Dubai, and Qatar, informing his approach to creating culturally relevant digital experiences.
When not pushing the boundaries of digital media design, Dr. Striker enjoys travel, golf, tennis, baseball, and exploring the intersections of technology and culture around the world.
Education
PhD, Digital Media (2012)
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Focus: Digital Media & Learning, Game Media, Mobile App Design
MS, New Media Production & Design (2008)
Indiana University at Bloomington
Focus: Media Production, Entrepreneurship, Game MediaBS, Radio-TV-Film & BA, History (2001)
University of Texas at Austin
Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa