Adam Wagler, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and an associate professor of advertising and public relations. He has been at UNL since 2006 teaching design, development, and strategy courses in advertising and public relations for both interactive and traditional media. Specific courses taught include: ADPR 458/858 Interactive Media Design, ADPR 333 Design & Layout, JOMC 131/134 Communication Design and ADPR 489/889 ADPR Campaigns.

Much of his research addresses how interactive and immersive media is used to communicate messages effectively. The research explores topics on a UX perspective with instructional technology, owned media using emerging technology, creative strategies using virtual reality in communications and the integration of interactive media in the creative process. Adam has worked on several grants at UNL developing websites, mobile apps, VR experiences, print design, workshops and curriculum. He has published book chapters and journal articles, including research in the Journal of Interactive Advertising, Journalism & Mass Communications Educator, the Journal Advertising Education and Communication Research Reports.

Adam is a Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Fellow, an Adobe Education Leader and an Apple Distinguished Educator. His professional background and research interests revolve around interactive media, emerging technology, and user experience (UX). Prior to coming to Lincoln, he worked as a designer on client-side marketing teams creating print and digital products at companies in Des Moines, Iowa and Tucson, Ariz. Since then, Adam has done freelance design and strategy work for numerous clients. This includes many years working with Hudl’s marketing team on digital strategy, design, and measurement of marketing websites.

His Ph.D. is from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Instructional Technology with an emphasis in UX with instructional technology in higher education. During his doctoral course work he received a certificate in mixed methods research. Adam holds an M.A. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a B.F.A. from Iowa State University’s College of Design that included a semester abroad at Swansea University in Wales.

Adam is a technology nerd who loves to ride his bike, play the drums, watch people play video games, cook and travel.