Bio: Robert F. Nideffer researches, teaches, and publishes in the areas of virtual environments and behavior, interface theory and design, technology and culture, and contemporary social theory. He holds an MFA in Computer Arts, and a Ph.D. in Sociology, and is an Associate Professor in Studio Art and Information and Computer Science at UC Irvine, where he also serves as an Affiliated Faculty in the Visual Studies Program, and the Art, Computation and Engineering (ACE) Program.

Robert has participated in a number of national and international online and offline exhibitions, speaking engagements and panels for a variety of professional conferences. Currently he is hard at play initiating an interdisciplinary program in Gaming Studies, and directing the newly formed Game Culture & Technology Lab.

Research: Virtual, online communities, transformation of online databases into expressive media, game hacks that transform the interface of online gaming environments.