Dr Joanna Samuel

Dr Joanna Samuel is an educator, interactive artist, animator and researcher whose work explores how emerging technologies are reshaping creative practice, communication and careers. Her research interests include 3D animation, interactive media, augmented reality art, 360-degree video, and the impact of AI on creative careers and employability.

She is a Senior Lecturer in Media Production at Canterbury Christ Church University, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her teaching is research and industry led, drawing connections between emerging technologies, contemporary creative practice and the changing needs of the creative industries. She also has a strong interest in curriculum development, academic quality and enhancing the student experience, particularly in ensuring that courses remain relevant and responsive to developments in industry and emerging creative practice. She is also a PhD supervisor, currently supervising two practice-based doctoral researchers.

Alongside her academic career, Joanna has worked professionally as an animator and video editor and has presented her interactive artwork in several solo exhibitions.

Joanna has taught at Canterbury Christ Church University since 2008, beginning on the Digital Media course and more recently teaching on Media Production. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

Her teaching career began alongside her work as an animator and creative professional at Pixel Circus Studio. She has also taught animation and visual effects as a sessional lecturer at the University of Kent.

Joanna became a full-time member of the Media team in 2015 and has led and taught modules in 3D animation, augmented reality, digital imaging, motion graphics, 2D animation and visual effects. Her teaching is research and industry led, connecting current research, emerging technologies and contemporary industry practice with students' creative work. Drawing on her experience as both a practitioner and educator, she encourages students to experiment, develop their creative identity and build the technical and professional skills needed for careers in a rapidly changing creative industries landscape.

Joanna successfully completed her practice-based PhD in 2025. Her study explored the use of augmented reality and animation to communicate evolving identities associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Her current research spans three interconnected areas of creative practice, technology and employability. First, she is investigating the implications of artificial intelligence for creative careers, professional practice and graduate employability, using podcasting as a research method to capture and examine perspectives from across the creative industries. Second, she is undertaking research into social media algorithms and platform analytics, examining patterns of visibility, reach and engagement across four social media platforms. Third, she is developing a practice-based research project exploring the creative and narrative possibilities of 360-degree video, with a particular focus on immersive approaches to storytelling.

Joanna is External Examiner for the following degree courses:
BSc (Hons) Visual Effects at De Montfort University, Leicester.
BA (Hons) Visual Effects at Asia Pacific University, Kuala Lumpar
BA (Hons) Design at East Sussex College in partnership with the University of East Anglia

Joanna was co-organiser of the animation festival Canterbury Anifest between 2016 - 2021.