A space for my media studies and SoTL musings
Expertise in the scholarship of teaching & learning, and media studies
A space for my media studies and SoTL musings
WHO IS JOEL?
JOEL
Joel is an Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and Student Success at Sheffield Hallam University. He is the founding member of the university’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Network. Joel set up and hosts the popular SoTL podcast "Spotlight" which averaged 1000 listeners last series, and has recently launched a brand new SoTL YouTube channel called "60 Seconds of SoTL".
Joel is an advocate of digital and media literacy, and passionate about student and staff mattering in a thriving and inclusive widening participation institution.
Joel is a leading scholar on the world’s biggest traditional media organisation The Walt Disney Company and is on the editorial board for The International Journal of Disney Studies, and avid researcher of pop culture.
NEW: YouTube Channel "60 Seconds Of SoTL"
YouTube Channel
"60SecondsOfSoTL" is a platform for educators to share their expertise, and for others to treasure hunt for ideas to innovate their teaching and student support practice, and here's the challenge: to try to do so in 60 seconds!
Newly launched in summer 2026, keep checking back for more videos as the word spread!
Spotlight Podcast - Scholarship of Teaching & Learning
Spotify Podcast
"Spotlight" - my SoTL podcast is becoming quite popular!
Please give it a listen, and a 5 star review would be very helpful too...
Some Disney & Media Studies scholarship...
Madonna - why she still matters
Madonna - why she still matters
Madonna - why she still matters
Today's pop stars are safe - but Madonna is the antithesis of that, she is pop's punk iconoclast. In this article for The Independent I explore why Madonna still matters with her latest album Confessions II.
Spice Girls 30th anniversary
Madonna - why she still matters
Madonna - why she still matters
Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls debut single 'Wannabe'. Here I unpack how Spice Girls changed the rules on girlbands and their impact on British popular culture.
A Playlist for Fathers Day
Madonna - why she still matters
The Journal of American Culture
I worked with a wonderful set of academics across the world to put together a music playlist to celebrate Fathers Day. My contribution made the top 5! Read about our playlist here...
The Journal of American Culture
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
The Journal of American Culture
I wrote an article for the special edition of this journal which focussed on the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. My article was centred on the cultural impact and enduring appeal of Donald Duck comics.
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
After being invited to watch the series ahead of its commercial release, I wrote a piece on girlbands and their importance to British culture; from Spice Girls to Girls Aloud, solo superstardom to charity ambassadors - the last 30 years have produced some fantastic cultural outputs to reflect on.
The Conversation
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
Girlbands Forever - new BBC documentary
I've written a few pieces for The Conversation, notably on the cultural impacts of The Lion King and Donald Duck - translated and syndicated into multiple languages and for multiple platforms.
International Journal of Disney Studies
International Journal of Disney Studies
International Journal of Disney Studies
I am a member of the Editorial Board of this brand new journal. I am involved in the blind peer review of articles, and have mentored and supported scholars on topics including comics, and legacy characters including Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, and intellectual property including Disney Afternoon and Ducktales.