Projects per year
Personal profile
Scholarly biography
Dr Panagiotis Fotaris is Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton. He is the module leader for CI410 Game Design and Development, CI520 Narrative Design, and IDM04 Design Thinking. He was Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Digital Games Development and BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Games from 2018 to 2022.
Dr Fotaris obtained his BSc in Informatics and Telecommunications from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He then completed an MSc in Distributed and Multimedia Systems (Heriot-Watt University), an MA in Graphic Arts & Multimedia (Hellenic Open University), a PhD in Applied Informatics (Univesity of Macedonia), and a PgCert in Academic Practice (University of West London).
Prior to joining the University of Brighton, Dr Fotaris held posts at several British and Greek academic institutions, including the University of East London (Course leader for BSc Digital Media Design, 2014-2017), University of West London (Lecturer in Computing), King’s College London (Learning Technologist), Hellenic Open University (Visiting Lecturer in MA Graphic Arts and Multimedia), and Abertay University (Lecturer in Computing).
Dr Fotaris is an active researcher in the area of Game-based Learning. He chaired the 14th and 15th European Conference on Games-Based Learning (ECGBL 2020, ECGBL2021) and the 21st European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2022).
Dr Fotaris has been a technical committee member for more than 30 international conferences. He has authored or co-authored 32 papers in peer-reviewed journals and international conference proceedings (Google Scholar Citations: 960). He is also Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
Before entering academia, Dr Fotaris held a variety of roles in the Creative Industries, including mashup artist (soundcloud.com/bynar, 38 tracks, 600,000+plays), radio producer/podcaster (mixcloud.com/bynar, 400+ music podcasts), DJ, club promoter, blogger, video editor, graphic designer, web developer, and music/videogames journalist.
Invited talks, keynotes, and webinars
- "Game-Based Learning and Educational Escape rooms", webinar presenter, 22 February 2023, online.
- "Game-Based Learning and Educational Escape rooms", webinar presenter, 7 December 2022, online.
- “The potential of educational escape rooms”, Keynote Talk at Education Day 2022, 6 September 2022, Brunel University London, London, UK.
- "Educational Escape Rooms: design frameworks, techniques, and tools". Invited speaker at the Education and Student Experience Conference, University of Brighton, 8 July 2022, Brighton, UK.
- “The potential of educational escape rooms in a post-pandemic world”, Keynote Talk at the 3rd Symposium on Games in Learning, 1 June 2022, Trent Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT), Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
- “Escape from the classroom – the potential of educational escape rooms in a post-pandemic world”, Keynote Talk at the “Game it Now!” remote seminar, 12 December 2021, Innokas Network, Finland.
- "A Conceptual Framework for Developing Educational Escape Rooms". Invited speaker at Develop:Brighton, 9 July 2019, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton, UK.
- "Escaping traditional learning: An escape room experience to raise awareness of cybersecurity". Invited speaker at the Resilience Games Workshop, University of Bristol, 19 February 2019, Bristol, UK.
- "Escape room design for learning". Invited speaker at the 2019 HE Pedagogic Research Conference, University of Brighton, 1 February 2019, Brighton, UK.
- "The stories we tell. Exploring how technology helps or hinders us telling stories and how we learn". Invited speaker at the Digital Jam Sessions podcast, Develop:Brighton, 11 July 2018, MakeRealVR, Brighton, UK.
- "A Conceptual Framework for Developing Cyber-Security Serious Games". Invited speaker at Develop:Brighton, 10 July 2018, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton, UK.
- "Game-based learning in the classroom: tips, techniques, and tools". Invited speaker at the Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Brighton, 13 July 2018, Brighton, UK.
- "An introduction to careers in the Digital Industries". Invited speaker at The Future of Employment for Graduates in STEM Conference, University of West London, 6 December 2017, London, UK.
- "Using tablets for teaching and learning – gamification with Kahoot!" Invited speaker at the CELT Learning and Teaching Festival, UEL Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, 10 June 2016, London, UK.
- "Visual storytelling and current trends in digital design". Invited speaker at the CMA Digital Breakfasts, Content Marketing Association, 10 June 2015, London, UK.
- "Informing design of feedback, assessment and learning through Moodle Analytics". Invited speaker at the MOOT Conference, 18-21 February 2013, Dublin, Ireland.
Workshops
- Educational Escape Room and Generative Artificial Intelligence-generated Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator for eTeach-Netzwerk Thüringen, 26-27 January 2023, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Weimar, Germany.
- Educational Escape Room Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator at the 16th European Conference on Games Based Learning, 8 October 2022, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Educational Escape Room Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator for eTeach-Netzwerk Thüringen, 25 March 2022, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Weimar, Germany.
- Educational Escape Room Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator at the 15th European Conference on Games Based Learning, 22 September 2021, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
- Educational Escape Room Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator at the 14th European Conference on Games Based Learning, 23 September 2020, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
- Educational Escape Room Workshop. Workshop organiser and facilitator at the 13th European Conference on Games Based Learning, 2 October 2019, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- A Picture is worth 1000 words: Teaching with infographics. Workshop organiser and facilitator at the 2014 University of West London Teaching and Learning Conference, 24 June 2014, London, UK.
Peer reviewing
- Computers & Education (Elsevier)
- Virtual Reality (Springer)
- IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies (TLT) (IEEE Education Society)
- Education Inquiry (Taylor & Francis)
- Higher Education Quarterly (Wiley)
- Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Dove Medical Press)
- Telecom (MDPI)
- Informatics (MDPI)
- OLC Online Learning Journal (Online Learning Consortium)
- Electronic Journal of e-Learning (EJEL) (Academic Publishing International)
Research interests
Dr Fotaris's research interests focus on the integration of technology in teaching and learning, particularly in the use and pedagogic potential of games, escape rooms, generative artificial intelligence, and virtual/augmented environments in educational settings. A representative list of research interests is the following:
- Educational Escape Rooms
- Game-Based Learning / Gamification / Location-based Games / Alternate Reality Games
- Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Augmented / Virtual Reality
- User Experience (UX)
- Design Thinking
- Cybersecurity
Supervisory Interests
Dr Fotaris's supervisory interests focus on projects exploring the pedagogic potential of games, escape rooms, virtual/augmented environments, and social media in the context of computing and design education. Additionally, he is interested in projects that combine creative computing with arts, music, and fashion. (e.g., projection mapping, data visualisation, wearable technology, immersive media etc.).
Approach to teaching
Dr Fotaris teaches in the area of Human Computer Interaction and Games Design and Development at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. He has supervised more than 100 UG and PG dissertations and degree projects, at BSc, BA, MA, and MSc levels. Currently, he is leading the following PG and UG Modules at the School of Architecture, Technology, and Engineering:
- IDM04 Design Thinking
- CI520 Narrative and Game Asset Design
- CI410 Introduction to Games Design and Development
Also co-teaching CI465 - Working in the Digital and Games Industries
Previously taught modules include:
- IDM05 Independent Portfolio Project
- IDM12 Independent Research Project
- CI540 Interactive Media Development
- CI518 Narrative and Game Asset Design
- CI536 Integrated Group Project
- CI435 Introduction to Web Development
- CI407 Design for Web and Mobile Interaction
As a researcher in the field of game-based learning, Dr Fotaris is very passionate about inspiring and engaging students using innovative techniques and technology, such as gamification, escape rooms, generative Artificial Intelligence, peer learning, live coding, MOOCs, social learning, infographics, AR/VR, and flipped classroom.
Some examples of this approach include 'gamifying' the delivery and assessment of programming modules to strengthen students' programming skills using tools such as Codecademy, Kahoot, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Codingame, Hacknet, and HackerRank. He also uses educational escape rooms for raising awareness on information security, uses collaborative games (e.g., 'Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes') as team-building activities, and incorporates 'choose-your-own-adventure'-style games addressing business problems in employability modules. To help students develop critical skills and keep in line with design industry practices, Dr Fotaris uses in-class critiques on a weekly basis to encourage discussion and peer assessment.
To improve student employability skills, Dr Fotaris has established collaborative relationships with industry partners (Creative Assembly, Unity Technologies, Hangar 13, Mediatonic Games, Studio Gobo, Electric Square, Blippar, Capgemini, JustGiving, Cyber-Duck, Endemol, TT Odyssey, nDreams, CCP, Frontier Developments, Splash Damage, Make Real Ltd.) who have provided live briefs, given guest talks, and offered student internships.
Dr Fotaris organised Brighton’s first GAY(M) JAM in 2019, a collaborative competition celebrating inclusion and diversity within gaming for the next generation of game creators. This was a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate how socially aware and inclusive they were, as well as develop a games hub for people who directly or indirectly identified with the LGBTQ+ community. The event was a big success and helped our institution and students build close ties with local AAA developers Hangar 13, Studio Gobo, and Electric Square who proudly sponsored GAY(M) JAM.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, University of Macedonia
Award Date: 5 Apr 2011
Master, Hellenic Open University
Award Date: 10 Nov 2010
Master, Heriot-Watt University
Award Date: 1 Dec 2000
Bachelor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Award Date: 1 Dec 1999
External positions
External Examiner for BSc (Hons) Computer Games with 3D Modelling and Animation, University of East Anglia
1 Sep 2020 → 31 Aug 2024
External Examiner for BSc (Hons) Interactive Digital Immersion, University of Plymouth
1 Sep 2020 → 1 Sep 2024
External Examiner for MA Digital Design and Interactive Applications, Middlesex University
1 Sep 2019 → 1 Sep 2024
External Examiner for BA (Hons) Game Design, Brunel University London
1 Mar 2019 → 1 Sep 2023
External Examiner for BSc (Hons) Games Technology and BSc (Hons) Multimedia Computing, Coventry University
1 Sep 2016 → 1 Sep 2020
Visiting Lecturer for MA Graphic Arts and Multimedia, Hellenic Open University
1 Sep 2016 → …
External Examiner for BA (Hons) Creative Media Design, University of the West of England
1 Sep 2016 → 1 Sep 2020
Keywords
- QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
- QA76 Computer software
- Games
- L Education (General)
- Gamification
- Game based learning
- N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
- graphic design
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Network
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Escaping traditional training – developing an escape room for enhancing cybersecurity skills and awareness
1/04/19 → 26/07/19
Project: Research Councils / Government Depts.
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Escape Rooms for Learning: A Systematic Review
Fotaris, P. & Mastoras, T., 3 Oct 2019, Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Game Based Learning, ECGBL 2019. Elbaek, L., Majgaard, G., Valente, A. & Khalid, S. (eds.). Reading, UK: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited, p. 235-243 9 p. (Proceedings of the European Conference on Games-based Learning; vol. 2019-October).Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBN › Conference contribution with ISSN or ISBN › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Climbing up the leaderboard: an empirical study of applying Gamification techniques to a computer programming class
Fotaris, P., Mastoras, T., Leinfellner, R. & Rosunally, Y., 1 May 2016, In: Electronic Journal of e-Learning. 14, 2, p. 94-110 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Augmenting the learning experience in Primary and Secondary school education: A systematic review of recent trends in augmented reality game-based learning
Pellas, N., Fotaris, P., Kazanidis, I. & Wells, D., 21 May 2018, In: Virtual Reality.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Can the flipped classroom model improve students’ academic performance and training satisfaction in Higher Education instructional media design courses?
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology, University of the Aegean, Fotaris, P. & Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology, 11 Sep 2018, In: British Journal of Educational Technology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
A Reflective Game Design framework for Game-Based Learning
Shaheen, A., Halvorsen, F. & Fotaris, P., 29 Sep 2022, Proceedings of the 16th European Conference on Games Based Learning . Costa, C. (ed.). Academic Conferences International , Vol. 16. p. 758-765 8 p. (Proceedings of the European Conference on Games-based Learning; vol. 2022-October).Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBN › Conference contribution with ISSN or ISBN › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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21st European Conference on e-Learning
Panagiotis Fotaris (Chair)
27 Oct 2022 → 28 Oct 2022Activity: Events › Conference
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15th European Conference on Games Based Learning
Panagiotis Fotaris (Chair)
23 Sep 2021 → 24 Sep 2021Activity: Events › Conference
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14th European Conference on Games Based Learning
Panagiotis Fotaris (Chair)
24 Sep 2020 → 25 Sep 2020Activity: Events › Conference
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The Open University (External organisation)
Panagiotis Fotaris (Member)
16 Mar 2023Activity: External boards and professional/academic bodies › Representation of University on boards and bodies