CV

Stephan Caspar

Assistant Teaching Professor in Media Creation & Multicultural Studies

Modern Languages Department
Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University

Education

Post-graduate Diploma in Independent Film Production
Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, 1996 – 1997

BA Joint Hons (2:1), Visual Arts and French
Middlesex University, 1991 – 1995

Professional Qualifications

CMALT– Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technologies (ALT)
Achieved March 2017. Link to Digital Portfolio

L5 Diploma, Leadership and Management
Fareham College, 2013 – 2014

PTTLS/DTTLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector), Education
Fareham College, 2010 – 2011

Current Position

Assistant Teaching Professor in Media Creation and Multicultural Studies
Director of the Askwith Kenner Global Languages & Cultures Room

Department of Modern Languages, Dietrich College – Carnegie Mellon University
  • Director, curator, educator, and researcher managing the Askwith Kenner Global Languages & Cultures Room.
  • This room explores the use of immersive technologies and digital content to support language and cultural teaching.
  • Researching the use of VR in language learning and cultural competency.
  • First-point contact for donors, alumni, visitors, and students for visits to the Room,
  • Presenter, Facilitator for demonstrations, workshops, talks, and presentations.
  • Management of the student worker team supporting the activities of the room.

Previous Positions

Digital Lead in iSolutions

University of Southampton March 2017 – August 2018

Team Leader and Line-manager for the Digital Learning Team, a unit comprised of media developers and
learning designers enabling the implementation of the TEL strategy at the University of Southampton.
This expansive role included support for technology in teaching & learning and shaping strategy for the
Vice-provost for Education across all faculties and institutions. Leading the recruitment and development of the team, providing budget and resource allocation for projects, and reporting to senior leadership.

  • Working directly with academic departments to support the move to blended learning.
  • Development of online and distance learning, producing courses for public engagement, CPD, and research-funded outreach, including twenty-nine courses for the Open University’s FutureLearn platform reaching over 200,000 active learners since 2016.
  • Budget and finance responsibilities for Digital Learning, Recruitment, and Team Leadership.

Enhanced Learning Production Manager

University of Southampton, May 2014 – February 2017

Creating learning, research, and evaluative media, including documentary film, audio podcast, and enhanced media content for MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses. Senior Manager at the Institute for Learning Innovation and Development. The Institute supported the strategic aim to transform education and support academics and researchers, encouraging them to provide rich experiences for their learners.

Providing university-wide consultancy in broadcast management, public relations communications, public policy, and project evaluation.

Head of Department for The Arts

Fareham College of General Further Education, August 2011 – May 2014

Head of Department for The Arts, including Performing Arts, Dance, Media, Music, Fashion & Clothing, Photography, Graphics, Art & Design, and Gaming & Computing, with responsibility for Business & Computing, Science & A-level. Managing Programme Leaders for Business & Computing, Science & A2. 

Administration including timetabling, scheduling, recruitment and team leadership, reporting to senior leadership, and representing the department in community outreach, student recruitment, and marketing.  

Proud to lead the department to Good OFSTED Report and Outstanding success in Media, Music, Graphics, and Photography. Teaching and training the next generation of ambitious and talented young people breaking into the Creative Industries.

Content Producer

Informal Learning Unit, BBC People
BBC – British Broadcasting Corporation, November 2007 – June 2010
  • Creative production of projects for online and HR presentation
  • Writing, budget-management, all aspects of broadcast production, including filming, post-production editing, and multi-platform publication.
  • Highlights include a series of films exploring at Critical Thinking and Philosophy and creating content for BBC People’s Upfront Induction Process.
  • Winners of British Universities Film & Video Council – Learning on Screen Awards for BBC Upfront.

Creative Director

Total Coverage Design Cooperative, January 2005 – November 2007

Senior Graphic Designer producing print and online creative solutions for clients in education, charity, and public sectors. As a worker’s co-operative, I learned aspects of running a business, client relationships, finance, and governance. As one of two creative directors, my focus was on project management and creative design.

Clients included People for Action, Tools for Self-Reliance, Radian Housing, Leonard Cheshire, Medical Foundation, Metanoia Institute, Royal College of Nursing, Perennial.

Senior Designer

Carte Blanche Group, April 2001 – December 2004
  • Brand management, clients included Disney, WH Smith, Clinton Cards.
  • Art and Design for print and product manufacture.
  • Project manager for Global Challenge Yacht Race 2004
  • Brand management posting in Hong Kong and Cape Town.

Filmmaker and Artist in Residence

British Council Brussels – December 1999 – November 2000
  • Artist Producer for projects supporting Brussels 2000 – European City of Culture.
  • Video and photography projects for European City of Culture projects.
  • Artist in Residence at Le Petit Chateau Reception Centre for Refugees and CADE – Center for Adolescents in Exile.
  • Production of orientation materials for new residents, collaboration with Treehouse Multimedia Productions, Cardiff.

Teaching and Research

I am an educator and researcher in digital media creation, exploring the expression of culture, language, and identity. Passionate about improving experiences for learners in promoting creative practice.

Providing specialist support in the creation of learning content, including video, podcast, and interactive
media. Our team produces digital products used to support research, teaching & learning, and public
engagement. design theory and leveraging technology to tell stories, talk to learners, and enable
educators and researchers to create dynamic and engaging courses for all.
Providing consultancy for colleges and education partners exploring opportunities to enhance teaching
and learning, including blended, online, and distance learning courses.

Teaching Experience

Carnegie Mellon University

  • 82-284 Multicultural Pittsburgh: Community, language, and identity.
  • 82-888 Language Acquisition & Technology: Languages classrooms of the future
  • 82-285 Podcasting: Language and Culture Through Storytelling
  • 82-287 Cultural Immersion: Relating your world in Virtual Reality
  • 99-520 Digital Storytelling: Language, Culture, and Identity
  • 82-288 Everyday Learning: Designing Learning Experiences in Times of Unrest and Uncertainty
  • 82-250 Digital Realities: Introducing Immersive Technologies for Arts and Culture
  • 82-269 Immersive Digital Storytelling: Using VR/AR to Explore Language, Culture and Identity
  • 82-304 French and Francophone Sociolinguistics: Digital Storytelling in French

University of Southampton

  • BIOL3060 Science Communication (Joint lecturer for media component)
  • FEEG6013 Group Design Project – School of Engineering (Joint Lecturer for media component)

Fareham College

  • BTEC Level 3 Art and Design
  • BTEC Level 3 Graphic Design
  • BTEC Level 3 Gaming & Computing
  • A-Level Art, Design and Photography

Workshop Facilitation, Consultation and Subject Matter Expertise

  • Immersive Technologies Workshop – hosted by the Senior Associate Dean, Education, CMU- Q, Doha, Qatar.
  • Learning through Immersive projects – From VR to Immersive Installation hosted by Durham University’s Center for Academic Development, 28 March 2022
  • Using 3D Virtual Reality to Promote Critical Language and Cultural Global Competence: A OneDay Workshop on Research, Teaching, and Design, AAAL Pre-Conference Workshop 18 March 2022, Askwith Kenner Global Languages & Cultures Room.
  • Introduction to Virtual Reality in the Classroom, University of Pittsburgh, ESL Seminar Series, 20 February 2020, Global Languages & Cultures Room.
  • Smartphone Technology in the Classroom, Modern Languages Graduate/Ph.D. Seminar Workshop, 19 February 2019, Global Languages & Cultures Room.
  • Exploring Language & Culture using Immersive Technology, Three Rivers TESOL,
    9 September 2019, University of Pittsburgh,
  • Introducing the Askwith Kenner Global Languages & Cultures Room, Eberly Center Team, 16 November 2018, Global Languages & Cultures Room
  • Finding Our Voices; Inspire UCEM Podcasting Workshop, College of Estate Management, 17 July 2018 Reading, UK.
  • Shout from the Rooftops – Podcasting for Academics, MEIN Medical Education Innovation Network, University Hospital, University of Southampton, 25 September 2017, further links to Audio Blog
  • Rivers of Meaning: Digital Storytelling in Research, Center for Academic Practice, 15 May 2017, University of Southampton [link]

Conference Presentations

Upcoming Conferences
  • Immersive Technologies for Language and Culture: Blending a multiliteracies approach to storytelling and technology – Talk – Accepted by IALLT for inclusion at the 2023 CALICO Symposium. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 6-10 June 2023.
Past Conferences
  • Caspar, Stephan, Lambright Anne Immersive Technologies for Arts and Culture MLA Conference 2023, San Francisco 6 January 2023. Innovation Room, Poster Presentation.
  • The Student Lab Panel, Panel member for a discussion of the current state of XR learning in Higher Education, accompanied by colleagues from the University of Texas and Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. Held at The Infinity Festival, Hollywood, 3 November 2022
  • No More Talking Heads! – A Playful Approach to Video and Media Creation in Education and
    Academia    , Presented 8th July 2022 at The Playful Learning Conference, University of Leicester.
  • XR Brain Jam presented by Games for Change –team member for weeklong games creation project – Virtual – 19 June – 27 June 2021 – Murmur Nation Itch.io page.
  • Multicultural Immersion, Relating your world in VR, Presented at NEALLT 2021 (From Tried and True to Generation Next—Language Learning in the Post-Communicative Age) Virtually hosted by Lafayette College – 12 March 2021
  • This is America: Teaching in light of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter Webinar for All Presented to The London Branch Association for Language Learning (ALL) – hosted by Joe Dale and Helen Myers – 23 July 2020
  • Using VR and AR in Higher Education, Presented to the University of St. Andrews, Center for Higher Education Research, Durham UK – July 2019 (Conference canceled)
  • Harnessing the wow factor – Embracing play and exploring empathy in VR Learning Presented at Playful Learning Conference – Leicester University – 10 July 2019
  • New Spaces: Learning in the Global Languages & Cultures Room Presented at Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) – June 2019
  • Immersive Technologies – Language and Culture Keynote Speaker – Future EdTech Conference – London – June 2019
  • Transformative Practices: Teaching and Learning Language and Culture with Technology, Presented at NEALLT 2019 – Hosted by Penn Language Center at University of Pennsylvania, April 5, 2019
  • Blending Evidence – How students use of digital media is challenging assessment. Presented at DCG Spotlight on Digital Capabilities (3) – 24 – 25 May 2017
  • Using the WordPress H5P plugin to create rich interactive content aka Putting creative power back in the hands of Educators. Authors: Alex Furr, Stephan Caspar, and Svein-Tore Griff-With Presented at ALT – Association for Learning Technologies Conference 2016
  • A digital-first approach to curriculum design and delivery, Presented at ALT – Association for Learning Technologies Conference 2015
Collaborative Projects
  • Te Ata – Audio Project in collaboration with Prof. Anne Lambright exploring the life of Chickasaw storyteller and performer who attended Carnegie Tech for one year. Recipients of a Further Fund Grant from the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Enquiry. Project outcomes due Fall 2023
  • Abigail, A Slave Escaped in Paris – VR and Immersive project in development, in collaboration with Prof. Mame-Fatou Niang and Martha Jones of the New York Times.
  • Caspar, S., & Dubreil, S. (2019). Technology Consulting in the Global Community – The creation of an online/remote cultural program of events to support students in Heinz College working in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Palau.  https://www.tcingc.org/ (Role: Coordinator)
  • Caspar, S & Dessler, J (2019) 53-250 Immersive Experience Pre-Production Process – providing guest consultancy to students for IDeATe course creating immersive multimedia experiences.

Writing and Publishing

The following is a list of writing projects and contributions to public scholarship. These include multimedia publications and instructional materials alongside peer-reviewed journals and articles.

Currently Writing
  • Caspar, S.& Dubreil, S, “Maker Culture and Design” Bloomsbury Handbook of Technology Education, Forthcoming.
  • Caspar, S & Mills, N, “Immersive Technologies and Language Teaching” Routledge Handbook of Language Program Development, Forthcoming

Peer Reviewed

Conference Publications

Public Scholarship
Digital Works
  • Abraham, N. (2020). Video component for Arabic Online (12 video segments to be incorporated into the Arabic online platform on OLI – Role: videographer, editor, producer).
  • Caspar, S., & Dubreil, S. (2019). Kaleidoscope. Immersive multimedia experience created in collaboration with a team of students from the Entertainment Technology Center to explore cultural bias. (Role: producer).
  • Caspar, S (2020) The Other Side: Immersive multimedia projection project created in collaboration with a team of students from the Entertainment Technology Center to explore language learning (Role: producer)
  • Caspar, S., & Dubreil, S (2019) French in Society – Poetry Slam – (creation of series of 360˙ video segments recording student outcomes. – Role: videographer, editor.
  • Caspar, S (2016 – 2020) Educate Spaces – Online Portfolio for education https://dotsandspaces.uk/educatespaces/
  • Caspar, S., & B. (2020, May 20). Film 2: Critical Thinking. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from https://vimeo.com/5549666
Service to the Profession
  • Reviewer (since 2020) to CALICO Journal – Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium
  • External examiner for CMALT – Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technology

University Service

Director of the Askwith Kenner Global Languages & Cultures Room
Kenner Steering Committee Member – Chair, Prof. Anne Lambright

Providing management and leadership for this unique facility at Carnegie Mellon University. Supervising a team of student workers. Coordinating teaching, learning and research activity, including consultancy and facilitation for projects using immersive technologies. Key point of contact for all external and internal enquiries, working with partners, guests and audiences, including stakeholders, donors, and senior management across the institution, in Pittsburgh and CMU-Q, Doha. Networking with units throughout the university, including XR Special Interest Group, Library, University Advancement and International Relations.

Committee member for Humanities@CMU
Impact Committee Member- Chair, Prof. Andreea Ritivoi
Fellowships and Scholarships Office
Fulbright U.S. Student Committee
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
  • MLA – Modern Languages Association Member
  • CALICO – Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium Member
  • ALT Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technologies
  • Associate Member of the HEA – Higher Education Association, UK.
  • NEALT Member – North East Association of Learning and Technology
  • NCFDD National Council for Faculty Development and Diversity – Member
  • AAAL Affiliate Member – American Association of Applied Linguistics

Languages

French – bilingual speaker

Community Service

Parent Governor – Harrison Primary School Feb 2016 – July 2018
  • Strategic support to Executive Principle and Senior Management Team
  • Teaching & Learning Committee
  • Link Governor in Computing.
Online Spaces

Academic Work – https://dotsandspaces.uk/educatespaces/
Personal Blog – http://dotsandspaces.co.uk/

The Global Languages & Cultures Room

Blog – https://kenner.dotsandspaces.uk/blog/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kennerglobal/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/KennerGlobalCMU

Newsletter

The Spaces in Between – Weekly Substack Newsletter