Dr. Joel Zika is an immersive media specialist whose research examines the themed entertainment industry and the ways it can influence creative practice in art and design. Dr Zika is currently and Assistant Professor at Kent State in UX and Animation. Joel’s PHD dissertation received an Australian Postgraduate Award and focused on how ride design can inform contemporary media production. Dr Zika has published extensively on virtual technology and contributed to popular articles on the topic for Vice, The Conversation and VR News. As a media designer Dr. Zika has led projects in virtual reality film, documentary, interactive animation and public installation for over 15 years. Recently his creative works have screened at the Moss Arts Center Virginia, Fed Square Melbourne and Dark Mofo Hobart. His work features in the books ‘Darkness and Light in Australia Art’ and ‘Digital Light’ from Fibreculture books.