Izabela Derda, Ph. D., is an Assistant Professor in Media & Creative Industries at the Media & Communication Department.

Her early background lies in media practice, having obtained an M.A. in film and TV producing in Poland, as well as graduated from a certificate program in business and management of entertainment at UCLA, Los Angeles.

Izabela's research interests lie in the investigation of the media as a practice, including networks, relationships, and dynamics between the involved creative stakeholders – that is, storytelling and experience design and media production practices. And specifically: 1) how emerging technologies affect co-creative practices and experience design; 2) advertising as a complex multi-sided process occurring between participating actors that considers not only changes in media production and consumption per se but studies them as a type of circulation that does not separate technology, humans, and brands.

Izabela is also a multi-award-winning media producer, advertising expert, and speaker. She has spoken on numerous panels and has sat on juries of major advertising festivals around the world (Cannes Lions, Cristal Festival, Eurobest Clios Awards, and many more).

Currently, she is a member of the advisory board at the SXSW Pitch start-up competition.