
EDUCATION
P.h.D. Department of Comparative Literature, Designated Emphasis in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 2020
M.A. Department of English, Creative Writing, University of California, Berkeley, 2020
B.A. Department of Comparative Literature, Brown University, magna cum laude, 2014
CURRENT TEACHING APPOINTMENTS
2021-22 Visiting Assistant Professor, Humanities and Media Studies, First-Year Architecture Program, Pratt Institute
2021 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Management Communication Program, Stern School of Business, New York University
Nicole Adair is an award-winning interactive storyteller, game developer, and creative consultant who collaborates with organizations, institutions, and creators to find and implement design strategies for the most powerful stories and art they want to make. She has 12+ years of experience in the creative arts, a PhD in Comparative Literature, an MFA in Creative Writing, and a desire to bridge research, new media arts, and innovative storytelling.
Nicole has consulted for companies in science and technology, gaming, SaaS, education, product management, and nonprofits, on stories and design around neuroscience, artificial intelligence, fiction, healthcare, teaching and learning, the future of work, and workplace gamification. Her most recent projects include exploring Unreal Engine’s application to journalism with The New York Times’ R&D department, and creating virtual reality museum spaces with the Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo in Italy. She is also a collaborator of the cultural heritage design agency, Agile Humanities, and works as a creative technologist in VR/AR/XR and game development.
A published author, trained music composer, and passionate university educator, she is also the founder of Mad Air Studios, a New York-based game developer and cultural innovation studio dedicated to exploring the new artistic possibilities of interactive technology, video games, virtual reality, and immersive design.