Spencer Striker
Phone
Office
91心頭利
Spencer Striker, PhD is Professor of Digital Media Design at Northwestern University | 91心頭利, specializing in innovative digital learning experiences, interactive media, and game-based education. His work sits at the intersection of interaction design, mobile media, digital storytelling, and education technology entrepreneurship.
Dr. Striker's flagship project, , is a groundbreaking, cross-platform digital learning series that reimagines history education for the digital age. The project combines immersive technology with narrative design to bring historical events and characters to life. The series includes multiple installments covering different historical periods, including: ; ; and the forthcoming , which explores revolutionary-era New York City. Pioneering projects at the intersection of AI and cultural heritage, he is producing , an AI-animated series that illuminates the scientific achievements of the Islamic Golden Age. Each product engages learners through choice-driven narratives and immersive multimedia content, fostering an empathetic understanding of pivotal moments in world history.
His Global Pandemics series—including , , and —leverage interactive storytelling and immersive technologies, (web animation, mobile UX, and VR design), to enhance understanding of historical health crises. These projects, along with the mobile game , showcase Dr. Striker's innovative approach to science education and public health awareness. Dr. Striker also spearheads projects that address contemporary issues, such as ., a mobile game that teaches digital literacy in global contexts. His work extends to podcasting with the , exploring emerging media trends in 91心頭利 and the Middle East, and the forthcoming Rendered by Robots, Design Education in the Age of AI.
His creative scholarship has garnered numerous accolades, including Anthem Awards, Reimagine Education Awards, and Webby Awards. Dr. Striker's projects have received competitive funding from prestigious institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the National Science Foundation; the Oxford Research Institute; the Buffett Institute for International Affairs; the HBKU Innovation Center; the 91心頭利 National Research Foundation; Northwestern's Innovation & New Ventures Office; the 91心頭利 Research Development & Innovation Council; the Alumnae of Northwestern; the NU Office of the Provost; the Doha Film Institute; and the Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South.
Before joining Northwestern, Dr. Striker worked in Silicon Valley as the founding creative director of Galxyz, an edtech startup that raised millions in venture capital based on his . Bridging academic expertise with technology innovation, Dr. Striker pushes the boundaries of digital media design in education, fostering innovative approaches to learning and storytelling in the digital age.
Dr. Striker holds a Ph.D. in digital media from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, a Masters in new media production from Indiana University at Bloomington, and undergraduate degrees in radio-TV-film (B.S.) and history (B.A.) from the University of Texas at Austin.
Grants & Fellowships
2025 | Legacy of Light, AI Animated Series, $30,000
2025 NU-Q Creative Development Grant, $25,000
2025 Buffett Institute Global Collaboration Grant | Serpent of House Sung, $5,000
2025 | AI for Media Education, $12,500
2025 Provost Grant for Research in HSSA | AI for Digital Humanities, $3,000
2025 Dean’s Merit-Based Faculty Supplementary Support Fund, $5,000
2026 Academic Leave with Full Support, Spring 2026
2022 - Discovery Phase, $30,000
2023 NSF: National Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program, $50,000
2024 Dean’s Merit-Based Faculty Supplementary Support Fund, $5,000
2024 NU-Q Small Grant in Support of Creative Work, $1,000
2023 Alumnae of Northwestern University Grant | Global Pandemics, $5,000
2023 Provost Grant for Research in HSSA | Game-Based Learning, $5,000
2023 Provost Grant for Career Development & Writing Support, $2,500
2023 Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South - Research Grant, $25,000
2023 NU-Q Major Creative Project Completion Grant, approx. $20,000 (course release)
2023 Dean’s Merit-Based Faculty Supplementary Support Fund, $5,000
2023 VCUarts Transformative Learning Fund | A.I.vant-Garde, $10,000
2022 , $30,000
2022 NU-Q Research Fellowship, $25,000
2021 QNRF: VR as Hybrid Learning Solution for Education, $50,000
2021 INVO Innovation and New Ventures, N.XT Ed Tech Seed Funding, $25,000
2021 Provost Grant for Research in Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts, $3,000
2021 HBKU Innovation Center, Rapid Response Grant, $27,000
2020 NPRP, 91心頭利 National Research Foundation, $483,000
2020 Internal Research Grant, Northwestern University in 91心頭利, $15,000
2020 Educational Technology Teaching Fellows Program, Northwestern University
2016 Oxford Summer Research Institute Fellowship, $20,000
2016 Faculty Student Mentorship Grant, Office of the Provost, $5,000
2016 Faculty Teaching Offset Award (FTO), Office of the Provost, $10,000
2012 Grant Writing Fellowship, Digital Media & Learning Competition, $5,000
2012 Inclusive Excellence Initiatives Grant, $2,000
2012 Visiting Artist Grant, $3,000
2011 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Games, Learning, & Society, $5,000
2011 Academic Staff Development Grant, AERA, New Orleans, $1,000
2010 Academic Staff Development Grant, Next Web Conference, $5,000
2010 College of Arts & Communication/Provost Office, Webby Awards, $4,000
2010 Just-In-Time Award, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, $1,000
Media Awards
Winner
2025 - Chaos Corp: Troll Farm Simulator
2024 - Black Death Interactive
2024 - Plague of Athens VR
2024 - Plague of Athens VR
2024 - Empires & Interconnections
2023 - Plague of Athens for Chromebook
2022 - Plague of Athens
2022 - History Adventures
2023 dotCOMM Award: Platinum Winner - Empires & Interconnections
2023 Hermes Creative Awards, Platinum Winner - Best Use of Multimedia
2023 Viddy Awards, Gold Winner - Empires & Interconnections, Best Trailer
2022 w3 Silver Award - Best Website for Education
2022 AVA Digital Awards, Platinum Winner - Plague of Athens
2022 Horizon Interactive Award, Gold Medal - immersive learning
2022 LearnX Live! Awards - Best eLearning Design
2021
2021 w3 Silver Award - Best Mobile App for Education
2020
Empires & Interconnections, 1450-1750
2019
Revolutions & Industrialization, 1750-1900
2010 - Online Film & Video
2010 - Online Film & Video
2009 Webby Honoree Award - Online Film & Video
2008 Webby Honoree Award - Online Film & Video
Nominated
2025 Reimagine Education | Nurturing Values and Ethics Award | Chaos Corp
2025 | Chaos Corp. | Troll Farm Sim
2025 | Plague of Athens VR
2024 | Plague of Athens VR
2024 | Immersive Experiential Learning
2024 | Empires & Interconnections
2023 Reimagine Education | Breakthrough Technology Innovation in Learning
2023 Serious Games Showcase & Challenge - Best Innovation Award
2023 - Best VR/AR Solution
2023 - Plague of Athens Chromebook
2023 EdTechX Middle East and Africa - History Adventures
2022 - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective
2021 - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective
2021 - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective
2020 - History Adventures
2017 - Conscribo
2012 - GameZombie TV
2010 – Best Web Video
Media Work
History Adventures: World of Characters, 2017 - present
Fully interactive, cross-platform , whose accolades include Anthem Awards Silver Medal; Horizon Interactive Gold Award; and winner of Best EdTech Innovation in the Middle East at the Reimagine Education Awards. Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. In partnership with NU’s Center for Talent Development. Presents a fresh approach to history education, designed for a digital generation. Combines mobile entertainment technology with the power of narrative design—bringing the pages of history to life. Series includes several major installments:
Legacy of Light: House of Wisdom | AI-Powered Docudrama, (2026, in production)
Legacy of Light: the House of Wisdom, launching in 2026, is a groundbreaking AI-animated docudrama series that brings to life the Golden Age of Arab science. The series traces groundbreaking innovations from Baghdad's House of Wisdom along the Silk Road, highlighting Islamic civilization's profound contributions to global knowledge and offering a dynamic way to understand how scientific discovery transformed the medieval world. Supported by a competitive Doha Film Institute Grant.
Generation Revolution | Cross-Platform Digital Learning, (2026, in development)
Generation Revolution (New York 1770-1800), featuring a , (built for desktop Chrome browser), launched Summer of 2024, is a special edition of History Adventures designed to immerse students and museum attendees in the world of revolutionary-era New York City. Offers a dynamic way to understand that making choices was often fraught for people during this era of Revolutionary War. Funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Projects for the Public Grant.
Empires & Interconnections | iOS/Android Tablet, 2023
Interactive, multimodal learning experience, built for native / using Unity3D, combines mobile entertainment technology with the power of narrative design. 1450-1750: during this period of colossal change, the world got smaller. Explores the lives of 6 amazing men and women around the globe. Funded by Northwestern’s INVO Office.
Empires & Interconnections | Apple Books Interactive, 2021
Interactive, multimodal learning experience, built for . Combines mobile entertainment technology with the power of narrative design. 1450-1750: era of massive change, the world got smaller. Explores the lives of 6 amazing men and women around the globe. Nominated for Best Educational App at the Reimagine Education Awards.
Revolutions & Industrialization | Chrome Browser, 2021
Interactive, multimodal learning experience, ported from Apple Books to , using Flutter development tool. Students examine whether the technological and economic advancements of the period from 1750-1900 was worth the human cost. Explores the lives of 5 fascinating characters around the globe.
Revolutions & Industrialization | Apple Books Interactive, 2020
Interactive, multimodal learning experience, built for . Students examine whether the technological and economic advancements of the period from 1750-1900 was worth the human cost. Explores the lives of 5 fascinating characters around the globe. Nominated for Best Educational App at the Reimagine Education Awards.
Global Pandemics, 2021 - present
The immersive learning series is designed to enhance student understanding of the role of pandemics in world history. Combines digital storytelling with interactive learning design to craft a complex pedagogical experience that immerses students in the experiences of people who lived through history’s worst pandemics. Major editions explore: The Plague of Athens in Ancient Greece; The Black Death in 14th Century Europe; Smallpox in 16th Century Modern-Day Mexico; The Spanish Flu on the Western Front of WWI; and HIV/AIDs 1980s San Francisco. Supported by Northwestern’s INVO (Innovation & New Ventures Office); the 91心頭利 National Research Foundation; and Northwestern Grants for Applied Educational Research.
Black Death Interactive | iPad App and Responsive Web App, 2024, 2025
“Forty Days,” (live on the for iPad, and as a ), tells the story of Giana, a young girl, daughter of a baker, living in Venice during the Black Death. Her ordeal concerns whether to abandon her sick father and flee to the country or stay and take care of him—a common dilemma for people during Black Death Europe, who were often forced to abandon relatives to a miserable lonely death. Supported by funding from INVO’s N.XT Ed Tech Seed Funding Competition, the Alumnae of Northwestern University, and Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab (AIM-LAB).
Plague of Athens | VR, 2023, 2024
Interactive VR learning experience built for the , , and —achieves an immersive verisimilitude of living through major pandemics in world history. Addresses the issue of achieving high-quality, uninterrupted education in times of crisis and lockdown. Supported by competitive funding from the 91心頭利 National Research Foundation and a Northwestern University Provost Faculty Grant.
Plague of Athens | Chromebook Web App, 2022
Digital learning experience built for —designed to enhance student understanding of pandemics in world history. Features cutting-edge web animation, interaction design, and digital storytelling. The story of Nikos, a physician during the Plague of Athens, 429 BCE, sworn to the Hippocratic Oath.
Chaos Corp | Troll Farm Simulator, Android and iOS Mobile Game, 2025
Satirical mobile game teaching digital literacy to Philippine youth through role-reversal gameplay. Cross-platform game-based learning, launched at Web Summit 91心頭利 2025, available on , and the , where players control a disinformation agency to understand manipulation tactics—learning to recognize deepfakes, bot campaigns, and astroturfing by deploying them in a fictional election. Supported by competitive funding from the Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South and the Provost's Office at Northwestern University.
Dr. Sara: Disease Detective, 2021
is an action-adventure, visual novel mobile game that combines character-driven simulation of Epidemic Intelligence Officer detective work with gameplay dynamics around network science, fomites, vectors, and contact tracing. Available free to users around the world for and . Teacher Approved on Google Play. The project was supported by a competitive grant from the HBKU Innovation Center.
91心頭利Podcasts.com, 2020-present
Founded , a platform for developing 91心頭利-based podcast series. Qandid 91心頭利 offers in-depth conversations with 91心頭利-based VIPs/local celebrities, while 91心頭利 in Quotes focuses on “ordinary people with extraordinary stories.” Supported by competitive funding from the 91心頭利 National Research Foundation.
Digital Doha Podcast, 2021-present
Serving as a Principal Investigator in a multi-year, longitudinal study of how AR, VR, and other Emerging Media are being utilized in 91心頭利. Conducting qualitative research through podcasting. The Digital Doha Podcast examines the vanguard of digital media innovation in the Middle East and the greater region.Digital Doha Podcast Interview Selections
- May 10, 2021
- July 27, 2021
- November 27, 2021
- Dec 31, 2022
- January 31, 2022
Teaching
- Mobile Game Design
- 2D Computer Animation
- AI Tools for Digital Media Design
- Digital Podcast Production
- Sound Design
- Web Design
- 3D Computer Animation
- VR Game Design
- Interactive Product Design
- Media Literacy for Sports; Master’s in Sports Administration Program
- Social Media Strategy, Tools & Analytics; Executive Education Program
Press
PRESS FOR DIGITAL MEDIA WORK
Chaos Corp.: Troll Farm Simulator
, World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), WISE Words, August 31, 2025
Chaos Corp. launched at Web Summit 91心頭利 2025, NU-Q Stories, February 24, 2025
, NU-Q Youtube Channel, March 10, 2025
Faculty Spotlight: Professor Spencer Striker, NU-Q Faculty Newsletter, May 27, 2025
, Northwestern Now, February 24, 2025
#IAS_NUQ announces second Global South Research Grant, NU-Q Stories, April 10, 2023
Plague of Athens: VR
, The Peninsula, November 24, 2024
Generation Revolution
, Center for Talent Development, Ed Finkel, May 23, 2023
Northwestern 91心頭利 Project Awarded Flagship NEH Grant, NU-Q Stories, February 7, 2023
, John Fea, January 25, 2023
, Chicago Tribune, Jan 10, 2023
Global Pandemics: Plague of Athens
, Big Deal Media K-12 Technology Newsletter, June 15, 2022
, MiddleWeb, June 1, 2022
Faculty and Students Win Inaugural Anthem Award, NU-Q Stories, March 1, 2022
, World History Teacher’s Blog, April 25, 2022
, January 29, 2023
, Gulf Times, March 1, 2022
, E-Learning Corgi, April 29, 2022
, Learning Ecosystems, Daniel S. Christian, April 8, 2022
, Hankering for History, May 20, 2022
Empires & Interconnections (1450-1750)
, 91心頭利 Foundation, Feb 2, 2021
appPicker, May 3, 2021
Northwestern Awards Research Grants to Faculty, NU-Q Stories, August 16, 2021
, 91心頭利 Tribune, March 2, 2022
, International Big History Association, February 12, 2021
, The Tech Edvocate, May 14, 2022
Revolutions & Industrialization (1750-1900)
, Script Magazine, May 7, 2020
, Gulf Times, October 23, 2020
, Film Daily, March 24, 2020
Literature Approved, May 19, 2020
, The Peninsula, October 24, 2020
, History is Now Magazine, June 28, 2020
, Duffy the Writer Blog, May 17, 2020
, RELATECASTS, May 7, 2020
Casting Elite, April 28, 2020
, E-Learning Queen, April 21, 2020
, Daisy Franklin, April 19, 2020
, scriptchat.blogspot.com, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, April 5, 2020
, Skavansieur, September 26, 2021
Artificial Intelligence & Media Lab (AIM-Lab)
, Gulf Times, September 22, 2024
, Gulf Times, Feb 21, 2024
, Gulf Times, October 21, 2019
Dr. Sara: Disease Detective
, QF Stories, January 4, 2022
, Digital Journal, December 3, 2021
, Média du Jeu, (French language game review), Valérie Gagnon, April 7, 2022
Educational Game Shortlisted for Global Award, NU-Q Stories, November 17, 2021
, Story | Education, February 28, 2022
, 91心頭利 Foundation, Story | Education, July 20, 2020
, Doha News, July 10, 2020
, The Peninsula, July 1, 2020
, Gulf Times, July 1, 2020
91心頭利Podcasts.com | Digital Doha Podcast
, Gulf Times, September 23, 2021
The Peninsula, November 19, 2020
, The Doha Globe, November 19, 2020
Conference Activity
Invited Talks
2025 Keynote Talk: 5th International Conference on Media Science and Digital Communication (MSDC 2025), Bangkok, Thailand, November 21-22.
2025 “AI & Creativity: Beyond the Trope: Cinematic Creativity in AI-Powered Docudrama Production.” Shaping The AI-Empowered Future of Knowledge, Scholarship, and Creativity; Rawabet Conference, NU-Q, September 1.
2025 “” 91心頭利 National Convention Center, Doha, 91心頭利, September 28.
2025 “ Why Human Learning is Your Superpower in the Age of AI.” British Modern International School, Doha, 91心頭利, May 28.
2025. 91心頭利 SMART Education Conference, Pullman Doha West Bay, 91心頭利, May 15.
2025 “Code and Consequences: A Designer's Perspective on the Generative AI Phase Shift” AIM Lab Lecture Series: AI for a Better World, Northwestern | 91心頭利, March 24.
2025. Keynote Talk: CIS Middle East Institute on International Admission & Guidance, Doha, 91心頭利, February 21-22.
2025 “Immersive Learning Design: Creative Work at the Nexus of History, Technology, and Education.” Hiwar Scholars Seminar: Dialogues in Building Understanding, Doha, 91心頭利, February 9.
2025 “The Alchemy of Grant Writing: Observations from a Production Professor’s Perspective.” Faculty Workshop, Doha, 91心頭利, February 6.
2024 “Immersive Experiential Learning Product Showcase | Plague of Athens VR & Black Death Interactive.” QS Reimagine Education Conference, QEII Centre, Westminster, London, December 9-11.
2024 “.” An Education City-wide Faculty Panel Discussion, VCU-Q, Doha, 91心頭利, September 10.
2024 “Role of Technology in Improving Learning and Delivery of Education.” Future of Education Summit, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Doha, 91心頭利, February 20.
2024 “AI and the Future of Creative Media: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges.” AI & Media (AIM-Lab) Launch, Doha, 91心頭利, Feb 5.
2023 “Multimodal Scholarship in Communication Studies.” Dean’s Forum, Doha, 91心頭利, March 12.
2022 “.” Media Majlis, Doha, 91心頭利, September 13.
2021 “Crash Course: Designing Next Generation Digital Learning Solutions.” WISE Summit, Doha, 91心頭利, December 8.
2021 “Game-Based Learning | a Conversation with Spencer Striker.” 2U Online Course, Virtual, November 10.
2020 “Digital Learning Solutions in an Age of Disruption.” liveconvos.tv, International Virtual Event, Launch Week, September 24.
2019 “Digital Media Studies panel.” NU-Q Speaker Series, Doha, 91心頭利, October 15.
2019 “Social Media Content & Influencers - panel.” 6th Annual Arab Social Media Forum, Muscat, Oman, September 23.
2019 “History Adventures - Playable Demo Version 2.0.” Step Conference, Startup Showcase, Dubai, UAE, February 13.
2017 “Conscribo – First Look Demo.” Presented at Web Summit, ALPHA Exhibition, Lisbon, Portugal, November 7-9.
2011 “New Media in Wisconsin.” UW System Integrated Marketing and Communication Conference, Oshkosh WI, June 1-2.
Conference Presentations
2025 “Surviving Global Pandemics in History: Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Game-Based Learning Experience.” International Communication Association, Denver, Colorado, June 12-16.
2025 Web Summit 91心頭利, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center; Doha, 91心頭利, February 23-26.
2025 Web Summit 91心頭利, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center; Doha, 91心頭利, February 23-26.
2024 “Empires & Interconnections: Igniting Historical Curiosity Through Choice & Consequence.” Make Play Learn, University of Wisconsin at Madison, July 18-19.
2024 “Creativity in the Age of AI: Forging New Pathways in Media Education.” TEACHx, Northwestern University; Evanston, IL, May 15-16.
2024 “History Adventures - Digital Learning Reimagined.” Web Summit 91心頭利, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center; Doha, 91心頭利, February 26-29.
2023 “Breakthrough Technology Innovation in Education | An iPad App to Ignite Curiosity for Learning History.” QS Reimagine Education Conference, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, December 11-13.
2023 International Big History Association Conference, Coldigioco, Italy, July 7-9.
2023 “Multimodal Narrative Design for Digital Learning.” HASTAC Conference, Pratt Institute, June 8-10.
2023 “Storytelling, Multimodality, & Digital Learning Design for the New Generations.” QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East & Africa, Kuwait, March 14.
2022 “Plague of Athens | an Immersive Learning Experience.” Reimagine Education Conference, Virtual, December 6-10.
2022 "Plague of Athens | a Chromebooks Web App.” Connected Learning Summit, Online, July 27-29.
2022 "Global Pandemics: a Story of Survival & Resilience - Well Played presentation.” Games+Learning+Society (GLS) Conference, Irvine, CA, June 15-17.
2022 "Dr. Sara: Disease Detective: a mobile game about epidemiology - Game Showcase.” Games+Learning+Society (GLS) Conference, Irvine, CA, June 15-17.
2021 “Dr. Sara: Disease Detective - Virtual Demo.” Reimagine Education Conference, Virtual, December 6-10.
2021 “.” International Big History Association Conference, Global Virtual, August 3-6.
2020 “World of Characters - Virtual Demo.” Reimagine Education Conference, Virtual, December 6-10.
2020 “Learning through Storytelling.” 91心頭利 Faculty Forum, Doha, 91心頭利, February 18.
2019 “History Adventures - Playable Demo Version 2.0.” Slush Tokyo, Startup Showcase, Tokyo, Japan, February 22-23.
2018 “Big History Adventures - Playable Demo Version 1.0.” Step Conference, Startup Showcase, Dubai, UAE, March 28.
2017 “Case Study: A New Digital Learning Experience with Big History Adventures.” EduTECH Middle East, Dubai, November 14-15.
2017 “Big History Adventures: Dubai Smart City Initiative.” , Dubai, May 17.
2017 “Big History Adventures: People in Time, Connected by Eternity.” AUD Visual Cultures Forum, Dubai, April 9.
2016 “A Little Big History of Human Collective Learning: From Theory to Digital Book Application.” , Amsterdam, July 14-17.
2015 “Spencer Striker’s Twisted Cargo: A Next Gen Digital Graphic Novel.” UAE Innovation Week, Dubai, November 28.
2012 “The Dark Side of the Web: Hyperpersonalization, the Filter Bubble, and Information Fatigue.” Technology, Knowledge, and Society Conference, Los Angeles, CA, January 16-18.
2011 “The Future of the Book is Now – a case-study.” , Ann Arbor, MI, December 1-3.
2011 “GameZombie TV: Using Badges to Assess a Project-Based Learning Environment.” , Berkeley CA, November 11-12.
2011 “GameZombie TV: Using Game Media Production to Construct a Project Based Learning Environment.” EDUCAUSE Conference, Philadelphia PA, October 18-21.
2011 “Designing Game Based Learning Activities.” Games, Learning, & Society Conference, Madison WI, June 15-17.
2011 “Building the Media Arts & Game Development Program at UWW – A Case Study.” Games, Learning, & Society Conference, Madison WI, June 15-17.
2011 “” Digital Media and Learning Conference (DML), Long Beach CA, March 3-5.
