ABOUT

I am a New Jersey and New York-based researcher with a Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Media from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. My work explores the role of Virtual Reality in Climate Change Communication.

Dr Shravan Regret Iyer

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 on 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.

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Travelling is a passion that influences the stories that I tell. I have filmed and photographed in the rainforests of Madagascar, Himalayan mountain Kingdom of Bhutan, Eastern coast of Japan, the temple city of Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, 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 course from 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
Diploma in Print and Web Journalism with a specialization in Development Journalism from Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, India
Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering from PES College, India

Research Work and Publications

Iyer’s research interests are in studying the use of experiential media (EM), such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 360° video. Iyer continues to work on various research projects pertaining to EM and has presented papers at various national and international conferences.

Read more about Iyer’s research here or visit the link below https://shravanregretiyer.com/2020/07/07/research/

“Russia 2018” vs. “Qatar 2022”: New SC&I Study Examines FIFA World Cup Host Countries’ Use of Virtual Reality to Promote the Games
SC&I Team Collaborates with Rutgers Marine Scientists to bring the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve Alive
Camel Racing and Holographic Selfies: Exploring Qatar’s Use of New Media for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Could Your Avatar Shake Hands? Attending an Academic Conference in the Metaverse
From Séances to Stereography: The Victorian Era Roots of Modern Virtual Reality
VR a blast from the past?
A New Study Explores Use of Virtual Reality in Climate Change Reporting and Storytelling
Virtual reality and Climate Change: Understanding How the United Nations VR Content Productions Uses Experiential Media in Climate Change Storytelling
VR is being used to promote the 2022 FIFA World Cup, creates immersive fan experience
Superconnected: The Internet, Digital Media, and Techno-Social Life,
Third Edition published by SAGE Publications, Inc, 2020
Superconnected: The Internet, Digital Media, and Techno-Social Life, Second Edition published by SAGE Publications, Inc, 2018

Doctoral Level Research

Regret Iyer, S. (2023). Looking for climate in the Metaverse: A qualitative study. Many Voices, One planet: Accounting for the past and narrating sustainable futures. The 17th Conference on Communication and Environment (COCE) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, June 5-9, 2023. The International Environmental Communication Association (IECA). https://event.fourwaves.com/coce2023/abstracts/1af10459-4545-40bf-81e5-39da631988e0
Regret Iyer, S. (2023). Understanding how news content utilizes experiential media (AR, VR, and 360° Video) in COVID-19 storytelling, Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications Volume 9, Issue 2. pp 85-112, DOI:10.30958/ajmmc.9-2-2. https://www.athensjournals.gr/media/2023-9-2-2-Iyer.pdf
Regret Iyer, S. (2023). Experiential Media and Social Change: A Qualitative Analysis of Augmented Reality Filters on Black Lives Matter, Climate Change, and Covid-19 Movements. Proceedings of the World Conference on Media and Mass Communication, 6(02), 01–12. https://doi.org/10.17501/24246778.2023.6201
Regret Iyer, S., Pavlik, J. V., & Jin, S. V. (2022). Leveraging virtual reality (VR) for sports public relations and sports journalism: qualitative analyses of VR content productions for ‘Russia 2018’ and ‘Qatar 2022’ FIFA World Cups, Journal of Sport & Tourism, DOI: 10.1080/14775085.2022.2097942
Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Assessing virtual reality media productions: Findings from a qualitative analysis of immersive experiences in climate change as offered via Oculus TV. Journal Communication Spectrum: Capturing New Perspectives in Communication 12(2), 77-95. DOI: 10.36782/jcs.v12i2.2284
Pavlik, J. V., & Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Of Media and Mediums: Illusion and the Roots of Virtual Reality in Victorian era Science, Social Change and Spiritualism. Atlantic Journal of Communication, DOI: 10.1080/15456870.2022.2118964
Regret Iyer, S., Pavlik, J. V., & Jin, V. (2022). Virtual Tourism in the Peri-and-Post COVID-19 Era: Understanding How Experiential Media Are Utilized in the Making of “Qatar 2022”. Advances in Journalism and Communication, 10, 81-102. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajc.2022.102007
Pavlik, J. V., Jin, V., Bergida, G., Striker, S., Gengler, J., & Regret Iyer, S. (2021). Engaging Emerging Media: Findings from a National Survey of Usage of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Qatar. 19th Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media 10-13 May 2021, Athens, Greece. ISBN: 978-960-598-400-7. https://www.atiner.gr/abstracts/2021ABST-MED.pdf
Regret Iyer, S., Pavlik, J. V., Jin, V., Bergida, G., Striker, S., & Gengler., J. (2021). Understanding How Experiential Media are Utilized in the Making of ‘Qatar 2022’. 6th World Research Summit for Tourism and Hospitality 14-15 December 2021, Orlando, Florida. https://www.elsevier.com/events/conferences/world-research-summit-for-hospitality-and-tourism
Regret Iyer, S., Pavlik, J. V., Jin, V., Bergida, G., Striker, S., & Gengler., J. (2021). Understanding How Experiential Media Are Utilized in the Making of ‘Russia 2018’ and the Upcoming ‘Qatar 2022’ FIFA World Cup. 12th Asian Conference on Media, Communication & Film (MediAsia) 9-12 November 2021, Kyoto, Japan. ISSN: 2433-7544. (Online) ISSN: 2433-7587 (Print). https://iafor.org/archives/conference-programmes/mediasia/mediasia-programme-2021.pdf
Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Understanding How News Content Utilizes Experiential Media in COVID-19 Storytelling: Findings from a Content Analysis. 20th Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media 9-12, May 2022, Athens, Greece. ISBN: 978-960-598-472-4. https://www.atiner.gr/abstracts/2022ABST-MED.pdf
Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Experiential Media and Social Change: A Qualitative Analysis of Augmented Reality Filters on Black Lives Matter, Climate Change, and COVID-19 (Vaccination, Social Distancing, and Wear a Mask) Movements. 7th World Conference on Media and Mass Communication (MEDCOM 2022) May 5-7, 2022 ISBN 978-624-5746-17-0. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zOH4eTtJw0DhdeTaxbBXt04jew9kIuSq/view
Pavlik, J. V., & Regret Iyer, S. (2021). Of Media and Mediums: Illusion and the Roots of Virtual Reality in Victorian-era Science, Social Change and Spiritualism. New York State Communication Association 79th Annual Conference 15-17 October 2021, New York. http://www.nyscanet.org/program
Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Virtual Reality and Climate Change: A Qualitative Analysis of VR Media Productions on Oculus TV Using VR Head-Mounted Display. The International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Beijing 2022 July 11-15, 2022 Beijing, China. https://iamcr.box.com/shared/static/ryi56pu818jwxirtn49bknnssvw6o61q.pdf
Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Virtual Reality and Climate Change: Understanding How the United Nations VR Content Productions Uses Experiential Media in Climate Change Storytelling. The 105th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference August 3-6, 2022 Detroit, Michigan.
Pavlik, J. V., Jin, V., Gh A Lari, N. A., & Regret Iyer, S. (2022). Assessing Public Engagement with Emerging Media in Qatar. The 9th European Conference on Media, Communication & Film (EuroMedia2022) July 21-24, 2022 London, United Kingdom. https://submit.iafor.org/submission/submission64201/

Books

The Curse of the Sickle (2010)
A study on the genetic disorder rampant among the Soliga Tribes of BR Hills
in India.
Link: https://shravanregretiyer.com/2018/02/25/1407/
Natural Quest (2016)
A book on the intriguing and fascinating stories from the natural world.
Link: https://shravanregretiyer.com/2018/02/25/1410/
Explorer, South India (2014)
Shravan Regret Iyer, a multimedia journalist and filmmaker, travels across the Southern Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala in a quest to find unexplored and hidden destinations.
Link: https://shravanregretiyer.com/2018/02/25/explorer-south-india/

Other Research Projects

Regret Iyer, S. (2015). A Study on Coverage of Wildlife Issues by Popular English and Kannada Newspapers of Bengaluru (Master’s Thesis). Media and Communication Studies, Christ University, India. Retrieved from http://repository.christuniversity.in/7162/
Regret Iyer, S. (2015). A Study of Soliga folk Songs and their Scope for Wildlife conservation in B.R.Hills and M.M.Hills, Karnataka. Media Conclave, Folk Media 20 June 2015, India. Retrieved from https://cumamcs.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/folk-media-for-an-effective-communication/

Awards and Honours

United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 2021 Photo Award
2022 International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) New Directions for Climate Communication Research – Honourable Mention Award
Youth Cultural Ambassador of India to Japan (Awarded by Embassy of Japan and Japanese International Cultural Center (JICE) to visit Japan and promote mutual understanding and friendship with Japanese youths and citizens), Dec 2014
Award of Merit at the Accolade Global Film Competition in San Diego, California, 2018
United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 2023 Photo Award Finalist
Best Documentary Jury awarded by Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival in New Delhi, India, 2018
Smithsonian Scholarship for Earth Optimism Summit in Washington, D.C., Awarded by Smithsonian, April 2017
National Record for Stop Motion documentary film, India Book of Records, 2012
Best Mobile Video, Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival Award, 2013
Award for National Recognition in Filmmaking, Manipal University Bangalore Campus, 2014
Best News Reporter Award, Blitz Media Carnival 2013 (Karnatak University, Dharwad) 2013
Best Rural and Candid Photographer Award, Sagar Photographic Society (SPS) 2013
Best Documentary Award, Janashree Freestyle Awards, 2012
Best Photographer Award, Daily News Analysis (DNA newspaper) 2012
Best Journalism (Broadcast) Award Article 19, Manipal 2012
Best Photo Essay Media Meet 2014 (National level competition) 2014
Best Short Film Award Karnatak University, Dharwad 2013
Student Achiever Award, Manipal University, 2013
National Record for Huge collection of Ancient Articles, India Books of Records, 2012

Research Fundings

School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Summer Research Award 2022.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Summer Research Award 2021.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 6th World Research Summit for Tourism and Hospitality 14-15 December 2021, Orlando, Florida/Virtual.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the New York State Communication Association 79th Annual Conference 15-17 October 2021, New York.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 12th Asian Conference on Media, Communication & Film (MediAsia) 9-12 November 2021, Kyoto, Japan/Virtual.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 20th Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media 9-12, May 2022, Athens, Greece/Virtual.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 7th World Conference on Media and Mass Communication (MEDCOM 2022) 05-07, May 2022, Sri Lanka/Virtual.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Beijing 2022, Beijing, China/Virtual.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 105th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference 3-6 August 2022, Detroit, Michigan.
School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University Travel Grant for the 9th European Conference on Media, Communication & Film (EuroMedia) 21-24, July 2022, University College London (UCL)/Virtual.

Research Association Memberships

Member of the International Environmental Communication Association (IECA)
Member of the New York State Communication Association (NYSCA), USA
Member of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) & Environment, Science, and Risk Communication Working Group
Member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) & Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk Division, USA
Member of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network – United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity