Tag: Arts and Humanities Excellence Award

Marco De Mutiis | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Published on by World Science Awards

Best Researcher Award

Marco De Mutiis
HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Marco De Mutiis
Affiliation HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences
Country Germany
Subject Area Arts and Humanities
Event World Science Awards
ORCID 0000-0002-9330-5078

Marco De Mutiis is a researcher, artist, curator, and academic whose work examines contemporary photography, digital image production, video games, and networked visual culture. He is associated with HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences, where he teaches and researches photography and evolving forms of image-making. His academic and creative work connects photography with game studies, media theory, digital culture, and computational approaches to visual production.[1] His professional and scholarly activities include research, teaching, curatorial projects, publications, and contributions to discussions surrounding in-game photography and digital visual practices.[2]

Abstract

Marco De Mutiis is an academic and creative practitioner working at the intersection of photography, digital culture, gaming, and contemporary image practices. His research addresses how photographic practices change when images are produced, experienced, and circulated within computational and game-based environments. His work includes scholarly publications, edited volumes, curatorial projects, and research on the relationship between photography and videogames.[2] His publication record includes contributions to the study of in-game photography, playable imaging, screenshots, digital image-making, and the cultural implications of game-based visual practices.[3]

Keywords

Keywords: Marco De Mutiis; Best Researcher Award; Arts and Humanities; photography; digital culture; in-game photography; videogames; visual culture; media art; computational photography; playable imaging; digital image production; research and curatorial practice.

Introduction

Marco De Mutiis’s academic profile reflects an interdisciplinary approach to photography and digital visual culture. His work considers photography not only as a conventional medium for recording or representing reality but also as a practice that can operate within interactive, computational, and game-based environments. This perspective places his research within a broader field encompassing media studies, photography theory, game studies, visual culture, and digital humanities.[2]

At HTWG Konstanz, De Mutiis teaches Evolving Imaging and Photography and contributes to research concerning transformations in photography and image production. The university describes his work as encompassing photography, videogame modding, experimental design, media art, and computational photography.[1] These areas demonstrate a research profile that combines academic inquiry with artistic and practice-based investigation.

Research Profile

The central themes of De Mutiis’s research include photography in videogames, playable imaging, digital image production, and the changing relationship between cameras, players, interfaces, and computational environments. His doctoral research at London South Bank University examined the relationship between computer games and photography, providing an academic foundation for his subsequent work on in-game photography and related visual practices.[4]

His research also engages with the cultural and aesthetic implications of screenshots, screen photography, screencasts, and game-generated imagery. The edited volume Screen Images: In-Game Photography, Screenshot, Screencast, co-edited by Winfried Gerling, Sebastian Möring, and Marco De Mutiis, investigates historical and contemporary image practices and positions screen-based imagery within wider discussions of media studies, image studies, photography theory, game studies, and media art.[5]

Research Contributions

A significant contribution of De Mutiis’s research is the investigation of photography as an activity that can occur inside interactive digital environments. His work considers how videogames can transform the photographic act by making the player simultaneously a participant, observer, image-maker, and operator of a virtual camera. This approach expands conventional discussions of photographic practice toward questions of interaction, simulation, interface design, and digital visuality.[3]

His 2023 article, “Photographing the Game Glitch: Between Ghost Photography and Immaterial Labour,” examines glitches in in-game photography and discusses how visual errors can expose the processes behind photorealistic digital environments. The article was published in Philosophy of Photography, volume 14, issue 2, pages 153–170, with DOI 10.1386/pop_00079_1.[6]

Another contribution is his chapter “How to Win at Photography – How Games Teach Us to See,” included in Screen Images. The chapter addresses the relationship between game mechanics and photographic ways of seeing, contributing to a wider scholarly discussion of how digital games can influence visual perception and image-making practices.[5]

Publications

De Mutiis has contributed to scholarly books, edited volumes, journal articles, and interdisciplinary publications addressing photography, videogames, digital images, and visual culture. His documented publications include contributions to Screen Images: In-Game Photography, Screenshot, Screencast, published by Kulturverlag Kadmos in 2023, and work concerning playable imaging and game-based photography.[5]

Selected Publications
  • De Mutiis, Marco. “Photographing the Game Glitch: Between Ghost Photography and Immaterial Labour.” Philosophy of Photography, 14(2), 153–170, 2023. DOI: 10.1386/pop_00079_1.
  • De Mutiis, Marco. “How to Win at Photography – How Games Teach Us to See.” In Screen Images: In-Game Photography, Screenshot, Screencast, 2023.
  • De Mutiis, Marco. “From In-Game Photography to Playable Imaging.” In Virtual Photography: Artificial Intelligence, in-Game, and Extended Reality, 2024.
  • De Mutiis, Marco, and Matteo Bittanti. The Photographer’s Guide to Los Santos. Mimesis International, 2024/2025 bibliographic editions.

Research Impact

The impact of De Mutiis’s research can be considered in relation to its interdisciplinary contribution to photography studies, game studies, media art, and digital culture. His work addresses emerging forms of image-making that have become increasingly important as videogames, virtual environments, and computational systems develop as spaces for artistic and cultural production.[5]

His academic and curatorial activities also connect research with public-facing cultural practice. His work with Fotomuseum Winterthur included research and curatorial initiatives concerning algorithmic and networked forms of vision and image-making, while his teaching and academic activities extend these themes into higher education and professional creative contexts.[2]

Award Suitability

For a Best Researcher Award in the Arts and Humanities, De Mutiis presents a profile characterized by interdisciplinary research, scholarly publication, teaching, artistic practice, and curatorial engagement. His research connects established photographic theory with contemporary digital environments, creating a scholarly framework for examining how visual practices evolve alongside videogame technologies and computational image systems.

The documented publication record provides evidence of sustained engagement with specialist academic questions, including the nature of photography in videogames, playable imaging, digital visuality, and the cultural implications of game-based image production.[3] His contributions to edited academic volumes and peer-reviewed scholarship further support consideration under criteria emphasizing originality, interdisciplinary relevance, scholarly contribution, and research visibility.

A complete quantitative award assessment would require verified bibliometric information such as a Scopus author identifier, publication count, citation count, h-index, and other recognized research indicators. These metrics are not supplied in the available profile information and therefore are not independently assigned in this article.

Conclusion

Marco De Mutiis represents an interdisciplinary academic and creative profile within the Arts and Humanities, with particular relevance to photography, digital culture, videogames, visual studies, and contemporary image production. His publications and research activities demonstrate sustained engagement with the transformation of photography in computational and interactive environments.[1][6]

Based on the documented scholarly and professional record, his profile is relevant to recognition programs seeking researchers whose work contributes to emerging interdisciplinary fields. Final award decisions, however, should be based on the award’s official evaluation criteria and independently verified academic and bibliometric records.

References

  1. Hochschule Konstanz – HTWG. Professorinnen und Professoren: Prof. Dr. Marco De Mutiis. Information concerning teaching, research, photography, media art, computational photography, and academic affiliation.
    https://www.htwg-konstanz.de/master/kommunikationsdesign/ueber-uns/professorinnen-und-professoren
  2. Intellect Books. About Marco De Mutiis. Biographical and professional information concerning his research, curatorial work, photography, videogames, and digital image culture.
    https://www.intellectbooks.com/marco-de-mutiis
  3. Möring, Sebastian. Basic Readings on In-Game Photography. Bibliographic record listing publications by Marco De Mutiis concerning in-game photography and playable imaging.
    https://sebastianmoering.com/basic-readings-on-in-game-photography/
  4. International Committee for Architecture and Museum Technology. ICAMT 50th Annual Conference in Taiwan 2024: Conference Manual. Profile information identifying Marco De Mutiis as Digital Curator at Fotomuseum Winterthur and describing his research on photography and computer games.
    https://icamt.mini.icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/Conference-Manual.pdf
  5. Gerling, Winfried; Möring, Sebastian; De Mutiis, Marco, eds. (2023). Screen Images: In-Game Photography, Screenshot, Screencast. Berlin: Kulturverlag Kadmos. DOI: 10.55309/c3ie61k5.
    https://www.zem-brandenburg.de/en/publikationen/screen-images-2/

Lidia Mihaela Necula | Arts and Humanities | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Lidia Mihaela Necula | Arts and Humanities | Research Excellence Award

Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Romania | Romania

Dr. Lidia Mihaela Necula is a Senior Lecturer and PhD holder in Philology at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania, with over two decades of academic experience in English language and literature, translation studies, discourse analysis, and cultural studies. She has held progressive academic roles from teaching assistant to senior lecturer and currently coordinates the English Retraining Program within the university’s Lifelong Learning framework. Dr. Necula is actively involved in academic management, doctoral supervision committees, and quality assurance in higher education. Her research and editorial activity includes sustained service on the editorial board of the internationally indexed journal Cultural Intertexts and participation in numerous international conferences and workshops across Europe. With a strong publication record indexed in major academic platforms and active international collaborations, her work contributes to advancing humanities research, inclusive education, and intercultural academic dialogue, with clear societal and educational impact.

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Featured Publications

Necula, Lidia Mihaela (2024). Pre-Raphaelite Food Politics or, Feasting on Desire: John Everett Millais, Social Norms and Women. Cultural Intertexts.
Necula, Lidia Mihaela (2023). Academic English Retraining and Professional Communication in Lifelong Learning Programs. Conference / Educational Studies.

Qinghua Chu | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Published on by World Science Awards

Prof. Dr. Qinghua Chu | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Associate Dean and Professor of Literature College from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, China

Qinghua Chu is a distinguished scholar specializing in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, currently holding the position of Professor at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. With a robust academic background that spans multiple prestigious institutions, Qinghua has made significant contributions to the fields of literature, education, and cultural studies. Her research is marked by an interdisciplinary approach, integrating aspects of Chinese literature, film studies, and educational reform. Qinghua has also taken leadership roles in academic and social organizations, reflecting her commitment to both research and community development. She has been awarded several honors for her contributions, including teaching excellence and educational innovation. Her research interests extend to topics in modern Chinese literature, adaptation of literary works into films, and labor education practices. With an international experience as a visiting scholar at Duke University and numerous research projects and publications, Qinghua continues to be a leading figure in her field. Her work not only enhances academic knowledge but also shapes educational policies and practices within and beyond China.

Professional Profile

Education

Qinghua Chu’s educational journey is distinguished by rigorous academic training and research, culminating in a Ph.D. in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature from the School of Liberal Arts, Soochow University. Her postdoctoral research has been conducted at Southeast University, focusing on Art Studies (2008-2012), and at Nanjing Normal University, specializing in Chinese Language and Literature (2006-2008). These academic experiences have provided her with an extensive foundation in both Chinese literature and art, which informs her interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research. In addition to her doctoral education, Qinghua has enriched her scholarly pursuits as a visiting scholar at Duke University’s East Asian Studies department from 2016-2017. Her diverse academic training has allowed her to merge literary analysis with practical applications, such as the adaptation of literary works into films and the integration of cultural studies into modern education systems.

Professional Experience

Qinghua Chu has accumulated over two decades of experience in academia, where she currently serves as a Professor at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Since 2012, she has been actively involved in supervising graduate students, particularly in areas related to Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, Drama, and Film Directing. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral positions, and she has held various leadership roles within professional organizations. As Vice Chairman of the Women’s Committee, Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China National Democratic League, she has been instrumental in fostering academic development. Additionally, her contributions extend to being a Council Member of multiple research societies, including the Jiangsu Modern Literature Research Society. Her professional experience is complemented by her role in overseeing significant educational reforms and her extensive involvement in conferences, workshops, and the publication of textbooks.

Research Interests

Qinghua Chu’s research interests span a range of topics within Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, with particular emphasis on the adaptation of Chinese literary works into films, labor education, and aesthetic education in science and engineering universities. Her work delves into the intersections of literature, film studies, and cultural practices, highlighting how contemporary narratives are reshaped through media. Additionally, her research extends into the exploration of educational reforms, focusing on labor education and its implementation in higher education. Qinghua’s interdisciplinary approach bridges literary studies with practical applications, aiming to improve educational systems and encourage cultural exchange. Her ongoing projects also include a deeper exploration of the educational role of traditional Chinese culture, with a focus on bilingual experiential teaching and the integration of traditional crafts like Chinese Knots in contemporary education.

Research Skills

Qinghua Chu’s research skills are comprehensive, combining literary analysis with an emphasis on cultural adaptation and educational innovation. She is highly skilled in qualitative research methods, including textual analysis, film adaptation studies, and cross-disciplinary approaches that merge literary criticism with practical applications in education and the arts. Qinghua also possesses expertise in project management, as evidenced by her leadership in various educational reform initiatives. Her research capabilities extend to editing and developing educational materials, including textbooks, and designing courses that blend academic rigor with real-world applicability. Furthermore, her experience as a visiting scholar has equipped her with the skills necessary for international collaboration and exchange, allowing her to contribute meaningfully to global academic discussions.

Awards and Honors

Qinghua Chu has earned numerous accolades and honors throughout her career, demonstrating her outstanding contributions to academia and education. Some notable awards include the Special Award for Excellent Labor Education Practice in Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions in February 2023, for her project “Knitting Chinese Knots to Fight the Epidemic Together.” In addition, she received the Excellent Instructor Award in June 2022 for her course “Adaptation of Famous Works of Modern Chinese Literature into Films,” which was recognized as a general education course by Jiangsu University. Her editorial contributions to textbooks, such as the bilingual “Experiential Teaching Design of Chinese Traditional Culture,” have also been acknowledged by Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions. Moreover, her scholarly work has been consistently honored, including the First Prize at the Jiangsu Education Development Forum in 2019 and the Third Prize in 2020. Qinghua’s continued recognition showcases the impact of her research and teaching on her students and the academic community at large.

Conclusion

Qinghua Chu is a remarkable candidate for recognition in the Best Researcher Award. Her extensive academic background, coupled with her significant contributions to Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, education, and cultural studies, solidifies her as a leading figure in her field. Her research, characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, enhances both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, making her work valuable not only within academia but also in the broader cultural and educational landscape. While there is room for her to expand her international research visibility, her national contributions and leadership in educational reforms have been exceptional. Qinghua is deserving of recognition for her sustained efforts in advancing scholarship, teaching, and cultural understanding.

Publication Top Notes

  1. The Image of Modern Urban Women in Early Chinese Female Films
    Author: Qinghua Chu
    Year: 2022