Panagiotis Fotaris

My research interests focus on the integration of technology in teaching and learning, particularly in the use and pedagogic potential of games, escape rooms, virtual/augmented environments, and data visualisation in educational settings. A representative list of my research interests is the following:

• Gamification / Escape Rooms / Location-based Games / Alternate Reality Games
• Augmented / Virtual Reality
• Technology Enhanced Learning
• Cybersecurity
• User Experience (UX) / Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Internet of Things

My supervisory interests focus on projects exploring the pedagogic potential of virtual/augmented environments, games, social media, and infographics in the context of computing and design education. Additionally, I am interested in projects that combine creative computing with arts, music, and fashion. (e.g., projection mapping, data visualisation, wearable technology, immersive media etc.).

I am PrincipalLecturer and course leader for BSc (Hons) Digital Games Development and BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Games at the University of Brighton. In my academic career to date, I have lectured at a number of British and Greek institutions in a broad range of computing, games, and design-related topics at all levels, including posts at the University of East London (Course leader for BSc Digital Media Design), University of West London (Lecturer in Computing), King’s College London (Learning Technologist), Hellenic Open University (Visiting Lecturer in MA Graphic Arts and Multimedia), Abertay University (Lecturer in Computing), and the University of Macedonia (Associate Lecturer in Multimedia).

I am Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a researcher in the fields of gamification and technology-enhanced learning with 5 research grants and over 25 publications in peer-reviewed journals and international conference proceedings. I am peer-reviewer for several journals (IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, Computers & Education, OLC Online Learning Journal, Electronic Journal of e-Learning, International Journal on Advances in Intelligent Systems), and have been a technical committee member for over 25 international conferences.

Before entering academia, I held a variety of roles in the Creative industries, including learning technologist, graphic designer, full-stack developer, radio producer, DJ, mashup artist, video editor, and music/games journalist.

My current research is focused on the pedagogic potential of immersive technology, virtual/augmented environments, escape rooms, and games in the context of computing and design education.

As a researcher in the field of technology enhanced learning, I am very passionate about inspiring and engaging students using innovative techniques and technology. This includes gamification, escape rooms, peer learning, live coding, MOOCs, social learning, infographics, AR/VR, and flipped classroom. My teaching style and philosophy are based on putting the student at the heart of the learning experience so as to make the subject interesting and relevant. Students learn best when they have fun, so I tend to use game-based learning activities wherever possible. 

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. I also take students to ‘Escape rooms’, use collaborative games (e.g., 'Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes') as team-building activities, and incorporate '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 I use in-class critiques on a weekly basis to encourage discussion and peer assessment. Additionally, I follow a flipped classroom, use interactive quizzes for formative assessment, and organise student visits to museums, art galleries, and exhibitions for inspiration.

Finally, to improve student employability skills I have established collaborative relationships with industry partners (Hangar 13, Studio Gobo, Blippar, Unity, Capgemini, JustGiving, Cyber-Duck, Endemol, TT Odyssey) who have provided live briefs, given guest talks, and offered student internships.