Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor | Strategic Foresight Practitioner | Digital Media & Justice Scholar

Santa Cruz, US.

About

Highly accomplished interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and leader with a Ph.D. in Film and Digital Media, specializing in computational media and science & justice. Proven expertise in strategic foresight, digital art, media theory, and social impact technology. As an Assistant Professor and Strategic Foresight Practitioner, I leverage critical thinking, creative practice, and technological fluency to drive innovation, foster equitable digital futures, and cultivate impactful learning environments. My work spans academic research, executive leadership in non-profit organizations, and pioneering initiatives in digital culture, consistently focusing on the intersection of technology, art, and social justice.

Work

University of California, Santa Cruz

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Assistant Professor of Teaching; Art, Justice, and Digital Media, Core Faculty in Creative Technologies

Summary

Leading curriculum development and instruction at the intersection of art, justice, and digital media, shaping the next generation of creative technologists.

Highlights

Developed and delivered core courses including CT 11 Digital Media Perspectives, CT 101 Persuasion and Resistance, ART 20K Introduction to New Media and Digital Art Making, and ART 106 Stop Motion Animation.

Integrated principles of art, social justice, and digital media to foster critical thinking and innovative practice.

Contributed to the strategic direction and growth of the Creative Technologies program within the Art Department.

Institute for the Future

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Strategic Foresight Practitioner

Summary

Applying advanced foresight methodologies to identify emerging trends, analyze potential future scenarios, and guide strategic decision-making for various stakeholders.

Highlights

Utilized diverse research techniques to explore complex societal and technological shifts, informing long-term strategies.

Translated complex foresight insights into actionable recommendations for clients and partners.

Contributed to the development of innovative tools and frameworks for understanding future landscapes.

University of California, Santa Cruz

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Visiting Assistant Professor, Everett Program for Technology and Social Change

Summary

Designed and taught impactful courses focused on leveraging technology for social entrepreneurship and community development.

Highlights

Led SOCY 196G Project Practicum, guiding students through practical application of technology for social good.

Developed and instructed SOCY 107A Designing Information Communication Technology (ICT) Projects for Social Entrepreneurship, fostering innovative solutions.

Managed SOCY 107B Project Implementation for Social Entrepreneurship, overseeing successful execution of student-led initiatives.

Five and Nine Podcast and Futures Lab

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Co-founder, Co-host, and Producer

Summary

Co-founded and produced a podcast and futures lab, exploring emerging trends and their societal implications through engaging discussions and content.

Highlights

Developed and co-hosted podcast episodes, driving content strategy and guest selection.

Managed end-to-end production, including research, recording, editing, and distribution.

Cultivated a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on future-oriented topics.

San Jose State University

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Lecturer, Digital Media Arts Department

Summary

Instructed students on digital tools for impactful storytelling and social documentation.

Highlights

Taught ART 175 Digital Tools: Storytelling and Social Documentation, equipping students with technical and narrative skills.

Guided students in utilizing digital media for social commentary and advocacy.

Fostered a learning environment that blended technical proficiency with critical artistic expression.

Processing Foundation

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Executive Director

Summary

Provided strategic leadership and operational oversight for a leading open-source software foundation, driving community growth and program initiatives.

Highlights

Directed organizational strategy, leading to significant growth in community engagement and program reach.

Managed key partnerships and fundraising efforts, securing vital resources for open-source development.

Oversaw the development and implementation of initiatives supporting creative coding and digital literacy globally.

Processing Foundation

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Program Manager

Summary

Managed and coordinated programs to support the Processing Foundation's mission of promoting software literacy in the visual arts.

Highlights

Developed and executed educational programs and workshops, expanding community outreach.

Coordinated diverse projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with organizational goals.

Fostered a supportive environment for open-source contributors and users.

Google Arts and Culture

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Copy Editor (Project Insidious Rising by Hyphen Labs)

Summary

Provided expert copy editing for a significant digital art project featured on Google Arts and Culture.

Highlights

Ensured high-quality, precise, and engaging narrative content for a major digital art exhibition.

Collaborated effectively with the Hyphen Labs team to align editorial vision with artistic intent.

Maintained strict adherence to project guidelines and deadlines for public-facing content.

Independent Production

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Producer (Sin Sol by micha cárdenas, Ph.D.)

Summary

Managed the production of 'Sin Sol,' a significant artistic project by micha cárdenas, Ph.D.

Highlights

Oversaw project logistics, budgeting, and scheduling to ensure successful completion.

Facilitated creative collaboration and resource allocation for the artistic vision.

Contributed to the realization of an impactful and critically acclaimed digital art piece.

University of California, Santa Cruz

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Lecturer and Curator, Film and Digital Media Department

Summary

Taught advanced courses in exhibition production and professional development within the Film and Digital Media department.

Highlights

Instructed DANM 215 Exhibition Production, guiding students through the process of curating and presenting digital media art.

Provided mentorship in DANM 203 Professional Development, preparing students for careers in media and art.

Leveraged curatorial expertise to enhance practical learning experiences for students.

Volunteer

Fellowship Evaluator

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MacArthur Foundation

Evaluated fellowship applications for a major philanthropic organization, contributing to the selection of impactful projects and individuals.

Highlights

Applied rigorous criteria to assess proposals, ensuring alignment with foundation's mission.

Provided expert insights to inform funding decisions for significant initiatives.

Reviewer (Innovation, Culture, Creativity Project)

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National Science Foundation (NSF)

Reviewed proposals for NSF's Innovation, Culture, Creativity Project, contributing to the advancement of interdisciplinary research.

Highlights

Assessed the scientific merit and potential impact of proposed research projects.

Provided constructive feedback to enhance the quality of grant applications.

Art Papers Reviewer

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SIGGRAPH

Reviewed art papers for SIGGRAPH, a premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques.

Highlights

Evaluated submissions for artistic merit, technical innovation, and scholarly contribution.

Contributed to maintaining the high standards of research presented at the conference.

Board of Directors, Treasurer

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Processing Foundation

Served on the Board of Directors, providing financial oversight and strategic guidance for the non-profit organization.

Highlights

Managed financial planning and budgeting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.

Contributed to governance and strategic decision-making for the foundation's mission.

Board of Directors, Secretary

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Gray Area

Served on the Board of Directors, providing governance and administrative support for an organization at the intersection of art and technology.

Highlights

Maintained official records and ensured compliance with organizational bylaws.

Contributed to strategic discussions and oversight of Gray Area's programs and initiatives.

Steward/Mentor

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Collective Action School (fka Logic School)

Mentored and guided participants in a program focused on collective action and social change.

Highlights

Provided strategic advice and support to emerging leaders and activists.

Facilitated learning and collaboration within the program's cohort.

Juror

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Knight Art + Tech Fellowship

Served as a juror for the Knight Art + Tech Fellowship, selecting recipients for significant grants.

Highlights

Evaluated proposals for artistic merit, technological innovation, and potential community impact.

Contributed to the allocation of substantial funding to advance art and technology initiatives.

Advisory Board Member

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slash art

Provided strategic advice and guidance to slash art, an organization supporting contemporary art.

Highlights

Offered expertise on artistic trends, programming, and organizational development.

Contributed to shaping the vision and direction of the organization.

Advisory Board Member

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POWRPLNT

Provided strategic counsel to POWRPLNT, a non-profit digital art education and community space.

Highlights

Advised on program development, outreach strategies, and community engagement initiatives.

Supported the organization's mission to democratize access to digital tools and creative expression.

Advisory Board Member

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House of Alegria

Served on the Advisory Board for House of Alegria, contributing to its mission and strategic growth.

Highlights

Offered guidance on organizational development, program design, and community impact.

Supported the leadership in achieving its goals and expanding its reach.

Juror

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San Francisco Arts Commission

Served as a juror for the San Francisco Arts Commission, evaluating proposals for public art and grants.

Highlights

Assessed artistic quality and community benefit of proposed projects.

Contributed to the equitable distribution of public arts funding.

Board of Directors

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SOMArts

Served on the Board of Directors for SOMArts, a community-focused arts organization.

Highlights

Provided governance and strategic oversight for the organization's programs and facilities.

Contributed to fostering an inclusive and vibrant arts community.

Juror

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Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) Media

Served as a juror for BAVC Media, evaluating media projects and grant applications.

Highlights

Assessed the artistic and technical merit of various media productions.

Contributed to supporting independent media artists and filmmakers.

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz

Ph.D. Film and Digital Media Grade:

Courses

Designated emphasis in Computational Media

Science and Justice Certificate

Dissertation: Sonic Futures: Assistive Technologies, Gendered Labor, and the Colonization of Voice

California College of the Arts

M.A. Visual and Critical Studies Grade:

University of San Francisco

B.A. Philosophy and Psychology Grade:

Awards

Shared Equity Leadership Fellow

UC Santa Cruz

Selected as a fellow for leadership development focusing on equity within the university.

Just Tech Fellowship

Social Science Research Council

Awarded a prestigious fellowship to advance research and practice at the intersection of technology and social justice.

Artist Residency

The Frank-Ratchye Studio for Creative Inquiry

Provided dedicated time and resources for artistic research and production.

UC President’s Dissertation Completion Year Fellowship

University of California

Granted a fellowship to support the final year of dissertation writing and research.

NEA New Media Grant (Artist Residency)

San Jose State University

Received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for an artist residency at San Jose State University.

Visual and Critical Studies Alumni Award

California College of the Arts

Recognized by alma mater for significant contributions in the field of visual and critical studies.

Mozilla Creative Media Award

Mozilla

Recipient of an award supporting innovative projects in creative media.

Artist Residency

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Participated in a residency program at a renowned arts and creativity center.

New Media Leadership Initiative Grantee

Ford Foundation

Awarded a grant as part of an initiative to foster leadership in new media.

YBCA 10 Fellow

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Selected as one of ten fellows recognized for their impact on culture and community.

Participant, Cornell Summer School on Designing Tech for Social Impact

Cornell University

Selected to participate in an intensive summer program focused on technology for social impact.

Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship

UC Santa Cruz

Received a prestigious fellowship supporting doctoral studies at UC Santa Cruz.

Grant Recipient

CalHumanites

Awarded a grant to support projects in the humanities.

Graduate Fellow

UC Santa Cruz, Science and Justice Research Center

Appointed as a graduate fellow, contributing to research and initiatives at the Science and Justice Research Center.

ARTS Dean’s Excellence Award

UC Santa Cruz

Recognized for outstanding academic achievement and contributions within the Arts Division.

Florence French Scholarship Grant Recipient

UC Santa Cruz

Received a scholarship to support academic pursuits.

Artist Residency

Stochastic Labs

Participated in an artist residency program focused on creative and technological exploration.

IDEA Hub Grant Awardee

UC Santa Cruz

Awarded a grant from the IDEA Hub to support innovative projects.

Grant Recipient

NetGain Partnership (Ford, MacArthur, & Open Society)

Received a grant from a collaborative initiative supporting technology and social justice.

Participant, UCHRI Experimentation Studio Grant

University of California Humanities Research Institute

Participated in an experimentation studio supported by a UCHRI grant.

Citizenship Fellowship

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Awarded a fellowship recognizing contributions to civic engagement and community building through art.

Publications

Heather Dewey-Hagborg: A Becoming Resemblance

Fridman Gallery

Contributed an exhibition catalog essay for Heather Dewey-Hagborg's solo show.

Worlding with Tarot: Design, Divination, and the Technological Imagination

Association for Computing Machinery (DIS ‘24: Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference)

Co-authored a peer-reviewed article exploring the intersection of design, divination, and technological imagination through the lens of Tarot, published in a leading ACM conference.

Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects: Chelsea Thompto, Landmarks, 2021-Ongoing

Hirmer Verlag/Hirmer Publishers

Authored an essay for an edited volume, contributing to the discourse on trans history and art.

Book Review of Diminished Faculties: A Political Phenomenology of Impairment by Jonathan Sterne

PUBLIC Journal

Published a critical review of Jonathan Sterne's 'Diminished Faculties,' offering insights into the political phenomenology of impairment.

Mediating the Social: The Excesses of Racial Representation within (Trans)formative Digital Space

Platform Journal

Authored a peer-reviewed article analyzing racial representation in digital spaces, published in Platform Journal.

From Pixels to Text: Articulations of the Body in Digital Landscapes and Imagined Space(s)

Art Journal

Published a peer-reviewed article examining the representation of the body in digital art and virtual environments.

Mirror, Mirror

Rutgers University Paul Robeson Galleries

Authored an exhibition catalog essay for 'Mirror, Mirror' at Rutgers University.

Materiality to Machines: Manufacturing the Organic and Hypotheses for Future Imaginings

Routledge Press (The Routledge Companion to Biology in Art and Architecture)

Authored a book chapter exploring the intersection of biology, art, and architecture, published by Routledge.

Interview with Kate Durbin

Public Art Dialogue, Taylor & Francis

Conducted and published an interview with artist Kate Durbin.

Interview with Jim Dessicino

Public Art Dialogue, Taylor & Francis

Conducted and published an interview with artist Jim Dessicino.

Languages

English

Native

Tagalog

Conversational

Spanish

Conversational

Skills

Programming & Web Development

HTML/CSS, Javascript, p5.js, p5 Editor, Python.

Digital Media Tools

Adobe Suite, Descript, Figma, Stop Motion Studio, Canva, Miro, Milanote, Twine.

Academic & Research

Curriculum Development, Higher Education Teaching, Qualitative Research, Critical Theory, Media Theory, Foresight Methodologies, Science and Technology Studies (STS), Dissertation Writing, Academic Publishing.

Leadership & Management

Executive Leadership, Program Management, Non-profit Management, Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, Team Leadership, Project Management, Fundraising, Advisory Board Management.

Art & Curatorial

Exhibition Production, Curatorial Practice, Digital Art, New Media Art, Art History, Art Criticism, Storytelling, Social Documentation.

Communication & Production

Podcasting, Content Creation, Copy Editing, Public Speaking, Panel Moderation, Workshop Facilitation, Professional Development Training.

Projects

Curator: Art Issue Group Exhibition (2013)

Summary

Curated a group exhibition including works by Jonathan Barcan, Hella More Funner, and Johanna Poethig at The New Asterisk Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Rio Yanez Solo Exhibition

Summary

Curated a solo exhibition for Rio Yanez at The New Asterisk Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Art Issue Group Exhibition (2012)

Summary

Curated a group exhibition including works by Carissa Potter and Jennifer Wasson at The New Asterisk Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

Curatorial Project: Fictions of Presence

Summary

Curated a group exhibition featuring works by Lee Blalock, Abram Stern, Chelsea Thompto, and Xiaowei R. Wang.

Group Exhibition: Hiding in Plain Sight

Summary

Participated in a group exhibition at San Jose State University - Thompson Gallery.

Group Exhibition: Dreamseeds

Summary

Exhibited work as part of the 'Dreamseeds' group exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Festival Participation: REWIRE

Summary

Participated in the REWIRE festival in The Hague, Netherlands, showcasing new media art.

Group Exhibition: Strange Temporalities

Summary

Exhibited work at Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria, as part of the 'Strange Temporalities' group show.

Group Exhibition: Reclaiming the Future

Summary

Participated in 'Reclaiming the Future' at Fort Mason, San Francisco.

Group Exhibition: Centre for Emotional Materiality

Summary

Exhibited work at Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco.

Group Exhibition: OUT/LOOK & The Birth of The Queer

Summary

Participated in an exhibition at the GLBT Historical Society, San Francisco.

Group Exhibition: Public Square

Summary

Exhibited work at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco.

Co-Curator: Refiguring the Future

Summary

Co-curated a significant exhibition at 205 Hudson Gallery, New York, NY.

Curator: Surface Tension (Joseph Liatela Solo Exhibition)

Summary

Curated a solo exhibition for artist Joseph Liatela at the Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Infrastructures SonicLabs ((8))

Summary

Curated a sonic arts event featuring Body Atlas with Wizard Apprentice and Anna Luisa Petrisko in San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Art Perfect Makes Art Pervert (Dorian Katz Solo Exhibition)

Summary

Curated a solo exhibition for Dorian Katz at the Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Archive Fever

Summary

Curated a group exhibition featuring works by Morehshin Allahyari, Jenny Odell, and Caroline Sinders at B4BEL4B Gallery, Oakland, CA.

Co-Curator: Watermelon Woman 3.0

Summary

Served as a curatorial team member for 'Watermelon Woman 3.0' at the Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco, CA.

Co-Curator: American Gun Show

Summary

Co-curated a group exhibition at Works San Jose, San Jose, CA.

Curator: The Dissidents, The Displaced, and The Outliers

Summary

Curated a group exhibition across two venues: Random Parts Gallery, Oakland, CA; and Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: David Molina Solo Exhibition

Summary

Curated a solo exhibition for David Molina at The New Asterisk Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

Curator: Sita Bhaumik Solo Exhibition

Summary

Curated a solo exhibition for Sita Bhaumik at The New Asterisk Gallery, San Francisco, CA.