Current employment and workplace

Assistant Professor at Dania Academy

How did I become interested in my field of research?

My interest in my research field arose as a natural extension of several areas I have cultivated over the years. It all started with my fascination with new digital technologies, which quickly became an important part of my personal and professional development. I found it exciting how technologies continuously evolve and create new ways to communicate and interact.

At the same time, I have always had a strong interest in strategic communication. I soon realized that the way we communicate can have a significant impact on both individual and organizational goals. Here, digital media played a central role as they opened up entirely new forms of engagement and interaction.

Another important dimension for me has been my passion for film production. Through my work with film, I have seen how visual and narrative techniques can enhance communication strategies and create deeper connections with the audience. The film's ability to convey complex messages in a simple and visual manner fascinated me and led me to explore how storytelling could be used in other contexts.

This is where my interest in transmedia experiences emerged—how stories can unfold across multiple platforms and create a more engaging and interactive experience. I became interested in how these methods can be strategically applied in other fields, particularly in marketing and communication.

The combination of these interests naturally led me into strategic marketing, where digital media and innovative communication forms could be used to create value for both businesses and consumers. Overall, it is the common thread of these interests that has formed the basis of my research field, where I focus on strategic communication with a particular emphasis on digital media and their transformative potential.

What am I most passionate about in my work?

What I am most passionate about in my work is content production and communication, particularly how it can be strategically applied to create meaningful engagement. I love developing and conveying content that captures attention and connects with audiences in a creative and effective way.

At the same time, I am eager to explore new emerging technologies and their potential to change the way we communicate. I find it inspiring to combine these elements to develop innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what communication can achieve.

What made the strongest impression on you during my PhD defense?

What impressed me the most during my Ph.D. defense was that I even made it there at all. It was a milestone that symbolized all the years of hard work, challenges, and learning. It was a powerful experience to see how my research and the knowledge I had built could now enter the world and contribute on a larger scale. Additionally, it was incredibly meaningful for me to have the support of family and friends. Their encouragement gave me extra strength and made the entire experience even more memorable.

What piece of advice would you offer current PhD fellows who want a career outside academia?

My advice to current Ph.D. students who wish to pursue a career outside the university sector is to remember that there are many opportunities to work in areas you are passionate about while also contributing to society both locally and internationally. Many institutions need qualified individuals to teach and conduct research, and companies are increasingly seeking people who can generate new knowledge that can be directly integrated into their production and development.

One of the most important skills gained through a Ph.D. program is the ability to quickly acquire new knowledge and understand new areas. This is valuable not only in practice, where one often has to navigate complex issues, but also in one’s personal life. Flexibility and the ability to learn quickly will help you adapt to many different career paths outside the academic world.

A little bit about the person behind the researcher?

I was born in Sri Lanka and fled the civil war to Denmark in 1985. I attended primary school and high school in Herning, where I laid the foundation for my education. I completed my bachelor's degree in Medialogy and my master's degree in Interactive Digital Media at Aalborg University.

Today, I live in Aalborg with my life partner and my one-and-a-half-year-old son. I am part of the research group in Interactive Digital Media and Experience Design at Aalborg University, where I am working on a research project about the metaverse in collaboration with researchers from this group. This project is a cross-institutional collaboration with Erhvervsakademi Dania, where I am also currently pursuing my assistant professor training.

In my free time, I play football and engage in strength training, and I have a passion for music and film production, spending a lot of time writing and producing Tamil music and feature films.

Vashanth Selvadurai on LinkedIn