Dr. Myria Christophini is a Scottish and Cypriot experimental animator, visual artist, and researcher whose work bridges art and activism. Specializing in participatory animation and visual storytelling, her practice-led research investigates the transformative potential of animation in fostering social change and enhancing communication in divided or marginalized communities.

Born to a Greek Cypriot father and a Czechoslovakian mother, Myria’s multicultural background informs her creative and academic endeavors. She holds a practice-led PhD in Creative Arts, Animation, and Social Change from The Glasgow School of Art. Her research is rooted in the values of Positive Peace, as outlined by Johan Galtung, emphasizing justice, equality, cooperation, and non-violence. Employing participatory action research methods, Myria’s projects often involve direct engagement with communities, exploring themes of identity, migration, and resilience.

Her experimental animations have received international acclaim, winning awards at the Seoul International Short Film Festival and the Scottish Short Film Festival. Her work has also been recognized as a finalist at the Los Angeles Animation Festival and the Paris Animation Awards, and selected for screenings at the St. Andrews Film Festival and the Tokyo International Short Film Festival. She recently won in the Animation category at the London Independent Film Awards.

One of her most celebrated works, Love Letter to Glasgow, has been showcased globally, recognized for its innovative approach to storytelling and its ability to evoke a deep sense of place and identity.

In addition to animation, Myria’s creative practice includes painting, drawing, and craft-making, often reflecting her personal experiences with immigration and the concept of home. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates traditional and digital methods, creating hybrid artworks that connect past and present.

For more about Myria’s work and to view her visual portfolio, visit www.myriachristophiniart.com.

 ----Galtung, J., 1996. Peace by peaceful means. 1st ed. Oslo: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Art / Animation for Social Change

Design Thinking

Instructional / Educational Animation

Participatory Action Research

Fine Art Animation

Contemporary approaches to illustration

Mixed Media Animation

Participatory Art / Animation

Interdisciplinary Peace Studies

Experimental Animation

Propaganda in the Arts, Animation, Film etc

Pedagogical Action Research

National Animation Studies

Immersive Animation / Drawing

Memory and trauma in the Arts

Experimental storytelling

Fairytales

The Artists Self-portrait

Students as Partners

2022 | Assistant Professor at XJTLU

2019-2021 | Teaching Fellow and International Seasonal Schools Coordinator at The Edinburgh University

2019 | Visiting lecturer at The University of Edinburgh - The Edinburgh College of Art

2018-2019 | Life-drawing facilitator at All the Young Nudes

2017-2018 | Lecturer in Animation, Fine Art and Digital Media at Tameside College

2015 | Associate lecturer in Animation at the Cyprus University of Technology

2014 | Lecturer in Animation at the City of Glasgow College

2013-2014 | Research Assistant for Prof Greg Philo, Glasgow Media Group, University of Glasgow

2011-2012 | Assisting lecturer in Animation at The Glasgow School of Arts

2013-2021 | Teaching staff from 2014 to 2015 general manager at Dance4Water Glasgow

CAT214: directing for Live Action and Animation

CAT102: Exploring Design Concept Generation

CAT302TC: Final Year Project (Moving Image) as co-teacher and supervisor

CAT303TC: Business coaching (enterpreneurship in art and design) as module leader

CAT207: Minor Design Project as co-teacher teaching digital illustration

CAT109: Introduction to Post Production (Film and animation) as module leader

CAT112: Design Concept Generation (Illustration) as module leader

CAT211: The Music Video Promo as module leader

CAT105: Entertainment Technology as co-teacher

I taught practical and theory based courses in Animation (traditional, hybrid, 2D, 3D), Fine Art, Illustration and Digital Media

2022 My experimental animated documentary won the best animation award at the Scottish Short Film Festival 2022 and the Golden Harvest Film Festival in Japan (2022)

2021 Selected for a solo exhibition during 2021/2022 at Gannochy project at Perth and won funding towards the realization of the exhibition Wasps Artists Studios

2021 Nominated for a CAHSS Recognition Award in the Excellent Newcomer Award category. The University of Edinburgh

2014–2015 As the president of Salsa4Water led her team to raise £12,000 for the charity WaterAid. WaterAid - Volunteer Charity Work

2010–2013 Elected head-representative of all research degrees students The Glasgow School of Art

2009–2010 Elected class representative The Glasgow School of Art

2005 Represented the Bauhaus University at the ArtThur Fair ArtThur

2004 The Bauhaus University bought a series of my drawings to display around the world, along with other notable work from its alumni. Bauhaus University Weimar

1999 1st prize in Cyprus-wide art competition