Ashley Rezvani

My research is award-winning and innovative. Informed by my background in anthropology and communication studies, my research interests include food in games, using game design to de-bias players, gender performativity in games, using games for intercultural communication and exchange, and finally the ancient history of games. I am currently exploring how to take an explicitly de-colonial approach to the study and analysis of games, informed by Decolonizing Methodologies, and applying what I learn to my current research project on the representation of animal agriculture in games.

I approach teaching, mentorship, and curriculum design playfully, experimentally, and compassionately. I’ve worked with students as young as eight and as old as eighty; and with over a decade of teaching experience I am readily able to care for all kinds of classrooms and learners.

I thrive with in-person classrooms and take the opportunity to create and facilitate hands-on activities. However, due to my interest and expertise with interactive media, I particularly excel at crafting compelling and effective online class experiences (both synchronous and asynchronous). Additionally, I have experience with designing new programs, working closely with colleagues to design an MFA in Game Design and Interactive Media at the University of Montana.

I center students in everything I do. I actively seek out real-world opportunities for students during their education: three recent projects include playtesting an upcoming card game, designing a local skate park with the community, and hosting the very first Global Game Jam in the state of Montana which was covered by our local paper. I regularly use my former industry connections to help motivated students find work after graduation.