I am a New York-based immersive media/extended reality (XR) researcher, academic, and scientific storyteller. I hold a Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Media from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
My research explores the uses of and engagement with extended reality (XR) that are immersive and experiential media, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). I have presented papers at international conferences and published in several leading peer-reviewed journals in Asia, Europe, and North America.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in constructivist and active learning approaches, which I believe are essential for fostering an engaging and reflective educational environment. At the School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, I have taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses for the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, and the Department of Communication, including digital media ethics and exploring new media.
Scientific storytelling has been an integral part of my work for over 15 years. As a science communicator, I have used innovative storytelling strategies, including the use of multimedia tools and experiential and immersive media technologies, to tell complex stories and disseminate research and scientific information, to transcend demographic barriers, foster empathy and solidarity, and enable individuals to perceive realities from varied perspectives pertaining to social issues, including health and environment.
I am often asked why my middle name is ‘regret.’ Unlike Joy, regret is not a name, not even close. Well, I inherited this name from my father. A passionate journalist, my father used to write to several publications in the hope of getting printed, and more often than not, he would receive a letter stating ‘regret’ for not accepting his work. He started writing under the pen name ‘Regret Iyer.’ Instead of giving up, my father pursued his dream relentlessly and now holds a national record for the highest number of bylines as a freelance journalist.
Like my father, my passion for this field is deep-rooted, something that I have grown up with and has grown with me. My first contribution as a freelance journalist was a photograph submitted to a newspaper at the age of sixteen. It was shot with a cell phone camera. Since then, I knew that as long as I had a story to tell, nothing else really mattered.
Traveling is a passion that influences the stories that I tell. I have filmed and photographed in the rainforests of Madagascar, the Himalayan Mountain Kingdom of Bhutan, the Eastern coast of Japan, the temple city of Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Communication, Information & Media from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA
- Master’s degree in Communication and Information Studies from Rutgers University, USA
- Environmental Management · Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), INDIA
- Master’s degree in Media and Communication studies from Christ University, India
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Manipal University, India
AWARDS & HONORS (SELECTED)
- 2022: New Directions for Climate Communication Research Fellowship Honorable Mention · International Association for Media and Communication Research and the International Environmental Communication Association
- 2021: United Nations World Meteorological Organization Photo Award · World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- 2018: Award of Merit · Accolade Global Film Competition in San Diego, California
- 2018: Best Documentary Jury Award · Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival – India.
- 2017: Smithsonian Scholarship (Earth Optimism Summit) · Smithsonian,
- Washington, D.C, USA
- 2014: Youth Cultural Ambassador of India to Japan · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, and Japanese International Cooperation Center (JICE) to visit Japan and understand 8K broadcasting and the emergency warning broadcasting system used by NHK (Japan) Broadcasting Corporation) to deliver disaster-related information – Japan
- 2014: Best Photo Essay · Media Meet, Christ University – India
- 2013: Best Short Film Award · Karnatak University, Dharwad – India
- 2013: Student Achiever Award · Manipal University – India
- 2013: Best Mobile Documentary · Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival – India
- 2013: Best News Reporter Award · Blitz Media Carnival held at Karnatak University, Dharwad, India
- 2013: Best Rural and Candid Photographer Award · Sagar Photographic Society (SPS) – India
- 2012: National Record Holder · India Book of Records for a stop-motion documentary film
- 2012: Best Documentary Award · Janashree Freestyle Award, Janashree TV, India
- 2012: Best Photographer Award · Daily News Analysis (DNA newspaper)
- 2012: Best Journalism (Broadcast) Award · Article 19, Manipal University – India
Please use the form below to contact Dr. Iyer for additional details regarding research, teaching, or scientific storytelling:
2026 Dr. Shravan Regret Iyer / All rights reserved.