Dr. Diane Derr

Specialization

Time Based and Interactive Media

Biography

Dr. Derr’s practice-based research is framed within the areas of interactive media, critical design, and narratology. Within this framework she has two primary areas of inquiry: the construction of intertextual narratives across systems of communication, and the phenomenology of interaction enabled by mediation technologies.

She has exhibited and lectured internationally at venues including the University of the Aegean (Greece), the German University of Cairo (Egypt), Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Cuba), the University of Aveiro (Portugal), Gezira Art Center (Egypt), Leeds College of Art (United Kingdom), Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts (China), the Center for Art and New Technology (Czech Republic), the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA), the Ionion Centre for arts and Culture (Greece), Design Days Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Dr. Derr has received numerous grants and awards, including the Presidential Research Quest Fund (PeRQ) from VCU Richmond, the National Priorities Research Program Fund (NPRP) from QNRF, the Distinguished Faculty in Teaching Award (2016) and the Distinguished Faculty in Research Award (2013) from VCUarts Qatar.

Prior to her appointment to Associate Dean for Research and Development Dr. Derr was Associate Professor in Design Studies at VCUarts Qatar. She holds a Ph.D. in Interactive Arts from the Centre for Advanced Inquiry in Interactive Arts (CAiiA) in the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Plymouth, UK., an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Media from Columbia College Chicago, and a dual-degree BFA in Photography + Film and Sculpture + Extended Media from Virginia Commonwealth University.