Spencer Striker

About

Spencer Striker, PhD is an associate professor of digital media design at Northwestern University in Qatar, 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.

Striker's flagship project, History Adventures: World of Characters, is a groundbreaking, cross-platform digital learning series that reimagines history education for the digital age. It combines immersive technology with narrative design to bring historical events and characters to life. The series includes multiple installments covering different historical periods, including Empires & Interconnections (1450-1750); Revolutions & Industrialization (1750-1900); and the forthcoming Generation Revolution (1770-1800), which explores revolutionary-era New York City. Each product engages learners through choice-driven narratives and interactive multimedia content, fostering an empathetic understanding of pivotal moments in world history.

His Global Pandemics series—including Plague of Athens Chromebook, Black Death Interactive, and Plague of Athens Virtual Reality—leverages 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 Dr. Sara: Disease Detective, showcase Striker's innovative approach to science education and public health awareness. Striker also spearheads projects that address contemporary issues, such as Chaos Corp., a mobile game that teaches digital literacy in global contexts. His work extends to podcasting with the Digital Doha Podcast, exploring emerging media trends in Qatar and the Middle East.

His creative scholarship has garnered numerous accolades, including Anthem Awards, Reimagine Education Awards, and Webby Awards. His 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, HBKU Innovation Center, the Qatar National Research Fund; Northwestern's Innovation & New Ventures Office, the Qatar Research Development & Innovation Council, the Alumnae of Northwestern, the NU Office of the Provost, and the Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South. 

Before joining Northwestern,. Striker worked in Silicon Valley as the founding creative director of Galxyz, an ed-tech startup that raised millions in venture capital based on his original concept. Bridging academic expertise with technology innovation, Striker pushes the boundaries of digital media design in education, fostering innovative approaches to learning and storytelling in the digital age.

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

2022    NEH: Digital Projects for the Public - 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    UREP: Undergraduate Research Experience Program, $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, Qatar National Research Foundation, $483,000

2020    Internal Research Grant, Northwestern University in Qatar, $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

2024     3rd Anthem Awards: Best Literacy Platform - Empires & Interconnections

2023     2nd Anthem Awards: Bronze Medal  - Plague of Athens for Chromebook

2022     Reimagine Education | Middle East: Gold Medal - Plague of Athens

2022     Inaugural Anthem Awards: Silver Medal - 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     Tech Edvocate Award - Best Augmented Reality App

2021     w3 Silver Award - Best Mobile App for Education

2020     Horizon Interactive Awards, Gold, Mobile Apps - Education
Empires & Interconnections, 1450-1750

2019     Horizon Interactive Awards, Gold, Mobile Apps - Education
Revolutions & Industrialization, 1750-1900

2010     Webby Award - Online Film & Video

2010     People’s Voice Webby Award - Online Film & Video

2009     Webby Honoree Award - Online Film & Video

2008     Webby Honoree Award - Online Film & Video

Nominated

2023     Reimagine Education | Breakthrough Technology Innovation in Learning

2023     Serious Games Showcase & Challenge - Best Innovation Award

2023     EdTech Digest Cool Tool Award - Best VR/AR Solution

2023     Bett Awards: Best Open Educational Resource - Plague of Athens Chromebook

2023     EdTechX Middle East and Africa - History Adventures

2022   EdTech Digest Cool Tool Award - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective

2021   Best Educational App, Reimagine Edu Awards - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective

2021   Best New Mobile App, Mobile App Awards - Dr. Sara: Disease Detective

2020   Best Educational App, Reimagine Education Awards - History Adventures

2017   Dubai Smartpreneur 2.0 Competition - Conscribo

2012   Digital Media & Learning Competition - GameZombie TV

2010   Mashable Award – Best Web Video

Media Work

History Adventures: World of Characters, 2017 - present

Fully interactive, cross-platform digital learning series, 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:

Generation Revolution | Cross-Platform Digital Learning, (2025, in pre-production)

Generation Revolution (New York 1770-1800), featuring a live web app demo, (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 iOS/Android 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 Apple Books. 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, iOS, Android, 2021

Interactive, multimodal learning experience, ported from Apple Books to Chromebooks web app, iOS, and Android, 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 Apple Books. 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.

Conscribo, 2018

Original prototype for interactive, animated, narrative-driven digital learning product concept that became History Adventures. Premiered at Step Conference Dubai, 2018. Tells the story of Duro, who lived in Rome, 2nd Century CE. Story of a Roman legionary.  

Global Pandemics, 2021 - present

The Global Pandemics 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 Qatar National Research Foundation; and Northwestern Grants for Applied Educational Research.

Black Death | iOS/Android Tablet, 2024

“Forty Days,” (now live on the Apple App Store for iPad), 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.

Plague of Athens | VR, 2023, 2024

Interactive VR learning experience built for the Meta Quest, Steam VR, and Pico—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 Qatar National Research Foundation and a Northwestern University Provost Faculty Grant.

Plague of Athens | Chromebook Web App, 2022

Digital learning experience built for desktop Chrome browser—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, (2024, in development)

Disinformation, Journalistic Freedom, and Digital Literacy in the Philippines. Cross-platform learning game series, (deployed to mobile phone and browser), for the purpose of teaching digital literacy for Philippine youth—enhancing critical thinking skills and the ability to make sense of disinformation, fake news, and the role of press freedom in the context of Philippine politics and society. Supported by competitive funding from the Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South and the Provost’s Office at Northwestern University.

Dr. Sara: Disease Detective, 2021

Dr. Sara: Disease Detective 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. The project was supported by a competitive grant from the HBKU Innovation Center. 

QatarPodcasts.com, 2020-present

Founded QatarPodcasts.com, a platform for developing Qatar-based podcast series. Qandid Qatar offers in-depth conversations with Qatar-based VIPs/local celebrities, while Qatar in Quotes focuses on “ordinary people with extraordinary stories.” Supported by competitive funding from the Qatar National Research Foundation. 

Digital Doha Podcast, 2021-present

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

Generation Revolution

Back to the Future of Education, Center for Talent Development, Ed Finkel, May 23, 2023

Northwestern Qatar Project Awarded Flagship NEH Grant, NU-Q Stories, February 7, 2023

NEH Announced a New Round of Grant Winners, John Fea, January 25, 2023

More than $2m in Grants for Humanities Projects in Illinois, Chicago Tribune, Jan 10, 2023

Global Pandemics: Plague of Athens

Digital Stories About Living Through History’s Worst Pandemics, Big Deal Media K-12 Technology Newsletter, June 15, 2022

Global Pandemics App Shares Fantastic Tales, MiddleWeb, June 1, 2022

Faculty and Students Win Inaugural Anthem Award, NU-Q Stories, March 1, 2022

Global Pandemics: Plague of Athens Review, World History Teacher’s Blog, April 25, 2022

Northwestern Qatar Researchers Awarded QNRF QF Grants, January 29, 2023

NU-Q Faculty, Students Win International Award, Gulf Times, March 1, 2022

Immersive History Takes You to the Plague of Athens, E-Learning Corgi, April 29, 2022

Global Pandemics: a Cutting-Edge, Browser-Based Digital Learning Experience, Learning Ecosystems, Daniel S. Christian, April 8, 2022

Cutting-Edge Digital Learning Design, Hankering for History, May 20, 2022

Empires & Interconnections (1450-1750)

In his own words: Digitally dusting off the pages of history, Qatar Foundation, Feb 2, 2021

What are the Best Apps for People With a Keen Interest in History? appPicker, May 3, 2021

Northwestern Awards Research Grants to Faculty, NU-Q Stories, August 16, 2021

NU-Q Faculty Win Silver Medal at Anthem Awards, Qatar Tribune, March 2, 2022

Meet IBHA Member, Spencer Striker, PhD, with Jahnavi Pandya, International Big History Association, February 12, 2021

Review of History Adventures, World of Characters, The Tech Edvocate, May 14, 2022

Revolutions & Industrialization (1750-1900)

Spencer Striker, PhD, on Turning History into Entertainment, Script Magazine, May 7, 2020

History Adventures Shortlisted for Reimagine Education Award for Best Educational App, Gulf Times, October 23, 2020

Here’s How ‘History Adventures’ Makes History of the World Fun, Film Daily, March 24, 2020

Looking for the Best Way to Learn History? Literature Approved, May 19, 2020

NU-Q Professor Produces Digital Book about World History, The Peninsula, October 24, 2020

The British Colonization of Botany Bay - History Adventure spotlight, History is Now Magazine, June 28, 2020

History Adventures - a new way to learn history for free!, Duffy the Writer Blog, May 17, 2020

Life Edge 114: Spencer Striker’s History Adventures - Multimedia-Packed Historical Narratives, RELATECASTS, May 7, 2020

Finding the Voice of History, Casting Elite, April 28, 2020

Interview with Spencer Striker, History Adventures. Innovators in Education Series, E-Learning Queen, April 21, 2020

FilmCraft.club - Indie Film Spotlight, Daisy Franklin, April 19, 2020

#Scriptchat: Spencer Striker Creator of History Adventures, Discussing Igniting a Curiosity for History, scriptchat.blogspot.com, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, April 5, 2020

World of Characters (1750-1900) - Review, Skavansieur, September 26, 2021

Conscribo

Dubai Chamber Announces Winners of Dubai Smartpreneur Competition, DubaiChamber.com, May 18, 2017

Digital Media Experts Offer Innovative Courses at NU-Q, Gulf Times, October 21, 2019

New Indiegogo campaign introduces a revolutionary digital book app to make history learning inspiring and impactful, Digital Journal, May 1, 2019

Chaos Corp - Troll Farm Simulator

#IAS_NUQ announces second Global South Research Grant, NU-Q Stories, April 10, 2023

Artificial Intelligence & Media Lab (AIM-Lab)

VCUarts hosts QF partners to discuss AI in higher education, Gulf Times, September 22, 2024

NU-Q to Engage with Web Summit Qatar, Gulf Times, Feb 21, 2024

Digital Media Experts Offer Innovative Courses at NU-Q, Gulf Times, October 21, 2019

Dr. Sara: Disease Detective

Making Science Fun: What Game-Playing Tells Us About Designing a Learning Experience, QF Stories, January 4, 2022

New Mobile Game Lets Students Investigate and Solve Global Disease Outbreaks, Digital Journal, December 3, 2021

Apprendre à gérer une épidémie par le jeu, Média du Jeu, (French language game review), Valérie Gagnon, April 7, 2022  

Educational Game Shortlisted for Global Award, NU-Q Stories, November 17, 2021

Student at Qatar Foundation reviews epidemiology game, Story | Education, February 28, 2022

Op-Ed: Learning Science through Gameplay, Qatar Foundation, Story | Education, July 20, 2020

COVID-19: QF university researchers develop ‘disease detective’ mobile game, Doha News, July 10, 2020

NU-Q professors developing gaming app on contact tracing, The Peninsula, July 1, 2020

Dr. Sara: Disease Detective - a mobile game about contact tracing, Gulf Times, July 1, 2020

QatarPodcasts.com | Digital Doha Podcast

NU-Q Podcasts Augment Research, Gulf Times, September 23, 2021

Northwestern Qatar students produce podcasts on Qatar, The Peninsula, November 19, 2020

Northwestern Students Produce ‘Qandid Qatar’ Podcast, The Doha Globe, November 19, 2020

Conference Activity

Invited Talks

2024    “Generative AI in Teaching and Learning.” An Education City-wide Faculty Panel Discussion, VCU-Q, Doha, Qatar, September 10.

2024    “Role of Technology in Improving Learning and Delivery of Education.” Future of Education Summit, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Doha, Qatar, February 20.

2024    “AI and the Future of Creative Media: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges.” AI & Media (AIM-Lab) Launch, Doha, Qatar, Feb 5.

2023    “Multimodal Scholarship in Communication Studies.” Dean’s Forum, Doha, Qatar, March 12.

2022    “Are eSports Real? | a Discussion.” Media Majlis, Doha, Qatar, September 13.

2021    “Crash Course: Designing Next Generation Digital Learning Solutions.” WISE Summit, Doha, Qatar, 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, Qatar, 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

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 Qatar, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center; Doha, Qatar, 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    “Empires & Interconnections for iPad | Challenging Students with Wicked Problems in History.” 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    “History Adventures, AP World History Modern - a digital learning product.” 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.” Qatar Faculty Forum, Doha, Qatar, 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.” ArabNet Digital Summit, Smartpreneur 2.0 Competition, 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.” International Big History Association Conference, 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.” HASTAC Conference, Ann Arbor, MI, December 1-3.

2011    “GameZombie TV: Using Badges to Assess a Project-Based Learning Environment.” Ubiquitous Learning Conference, 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    “GameZombie TV. Ignite Talk.” Digital Media and Learning Conference (DML), Long Beach CA, March 3-5.