Education:
BA, MA, Ryerson University
PhD, Concordia University
Areas of Expertise: Video Games, esports infrastructure, virtual production
Labs:
The Conduit Research Lab (opens in new window)
Dr. Alexander earned his PhD at Concordia University in the Department of Education in 2016. His thesis was entitled Video Games and Interactivity: The Semiotics of Multimedia in Instructional Design. He has two degrees from Ryerson University (now Toronto Met U): an M.A. in Media Production and a B.A. in Radio and Television Arts.
His research focuses on video games, specifically, how video game design provides a model for developing active engagement within higher education. It also looks at the influence of video games on attitudes and capacities of individuals and communities of fans. Most recently, Dr. Alexander has undertaken research-creation in the area of esports, where he developed curriculum for video game engine architecture, and helped build e-sports infrastructure via 2 training facilities and eight collegiate esport teams.
Further, Dr. Alexander is currently developing his own video game which will embody his research in audience engagement via interactivity. His work contributes to an understanding of why video games and esports are so captivating.
Dr. Alexander has taught broadcast media, game design, audio production, multi-platform media, social media and creative thinking. He has also created video game development curricula and programs for JAMK University in Finland, Humber College, Toronto Met U, Concordia University, University of Toronto, LEARN Quebec, CSLP Montreal, and Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport. He has sat on the Board of Directors for Interactive Ontario, as a video games expert and mentor.
At the time of this writing, Dr. Alexander is the #1 Canadian Lightseekers™ player, was formerly globally ranked #17th in Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition, and is a video game streamer, known as “PhDigi”.