APLEITH

Assistant Professor | Data (Social) Scientist

I am a passionate advocate and examiner of online culture, digital games, and livestreaming. My research passions include social data and video games. I am particularly interested in examining the growing phenomenon of gameplay livestreamers and the communities that are built around them. Along with teaching, I occasionally take on private consulting contracts for both individuals and teams.

Employment

Assistant Professor

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Courses Taught
August 2019 - Present

Graduate Assistant

Michigan State University
Courses Taught
  • MI 101: Understanding Media
  • MI 201: Introduction to Media and Information Technologies and Industries
  • TC 401: Social Media in Society
  • TC 401: Science Fiction, Communication, and Technology
  • COM 803: Intro to Quantitative Research Methods
September 2012 - May 2017

Lecturer

McKendree University
Courses Taught
  • JRN 372: Web and Print Publication Design
January 2012 - May 2012

Adjunct instructor

St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Courses Taught
  • EN 3100: Professional Communication
August 2011 - May 2012

Adjunct instructor

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Courses Taught
  • SPC 105: Public Speaking
  • SPC 204: Oral Argumentation Skills
August 2011 - December 2011

Graduate Assistant

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Courses Taught
  • SPC 103: Interpersonal Communication
August 2010 - May 2011

Marketing Manager

Brigham Young University - Idaho
August 2008 - August 2009

Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Michigan State University
Information and Media (Media and Information)
September 2012 - December 2019

Master of Arts

Southern Illinois University
Speech Communication (Interpersonal Communication)
January 2010 - May 2011

Bachelor of Arts

Brigham Young University - Idaho
Communication (Public Relations)
January 2008 - December 2009

Scholarship

Journal Publications
Conference Proceedings
Book Chapters
Conference Papers + Presentations
  • Foxman, M., Leith, A.P., Ratan, R., & Bouzek, D. (2023, May). Playfully Virtual: Finding Authentic Communication in Videoconferencing and Online Meetings. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Leith, A.P., Foxman, M., Onuche, M., & Bouzek, D. (2023, May). Diffusion of gratification: The reception of VR as a modality for remote work and meetings. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Leith, A.P., Foxman, M., Ratan, R., & Lim, C. (2023, May). Feelings for meetings: A sentiment analysis of videoconferencing platforms a year apart. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Foxman, M., Leith, A. P., Sulzdorf-Liszkiewicz, A., Beyea, D., Klebig, B., Graciano, L., Bouzek, D., & Ratan, R. A. (2022, October). Playing at work: Finding and designing play into virtual meetings. Paper presented at the 2022 International Conference on Meaningful Play. East Lansing, MI.
  • Foxman, M., Beyea, D. G., Leith, A. P., Ratan, R. A. Chen, V. H. H., & Klebig, B. (2021, May). Hardly just hardware: Understanding games and genres in virtual reality experiences. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 71st Annual Conference. Virtual.
  • Foxman, M., Leith, A. P., Beyea D., Klebig, B., Chen V. H. H., & Ratan, R. (2020, November). Virtual reality genres: Comparing preferences in immersive experiences and games. Paper Presented at CHI Play ’20. Virtual.
  • Leith, A. P. (2020, May). When Watching Isn’t Enough: Human Agents and their Influence of Gameplay and Gamespace through Synchronous Chat. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 70th Annual Conference. Gold Coast, AUS.
  • Leith, A. P. (2019, August). The affective messaging of gameplay livestream viewers. Paper presented at the 2019 Digital Games and Research Association Conference. Kyoto, Japan.
  • Leith, A. P. (2018, October). Giving you your space: Examining gamespace expandability. Paper presented at the 2018 International Academic Conference on Meaningful Play. East Lansing, MI.
  • Leith, A. P. (2015, November). Busking on a digital pitch: Investigating Internet-based gameplay broadcasting. Paper presented at the National Communication Association 101st Annual Convention. Las Vegas, NV.
  • Leith, A. P. (2015, November). Understanding the implications of uses and gratifications in gameplay viewing. Paper presented at the National Communication Association 101st Annual Convention. Las Vegas, NV.
  • Boehmer, J. H., & Leith, A. P. (2015, March). Tweeting the World Cup: Soccer teams’ use of dialogic communication during the 2014 World Cup. Paper presented at The Eighth Summit on Communication and Sport. Charlotte, NC.
  • Leith, A. P. (2014, November). Learning to play: Academic impacts of digital gameplay among disadvantaged African American students. Paper presented at the National Communication Association 100th Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.
  • Huang, T. K., Cotton, S. R., & Leith, A. P. (2014, May). The impact of emotional costs on students’ IT use and academic performance in the context of computer integration. Paper presented at the Digital Divide Preconference of the International Communication Association 64th Annual Conference. Seattle, WA.
  • Leith, A. P. (2013, June). A more accessible celebrity: A case for parasocial interactions with YouTube personalities and communities. Paper presented at International Association of Media and Communication Research 2013 Conference. Dublin, Ireland.

Skills

Programming Languages & Tools

DATA SCIENCE

MULTIMEDIA DESIGN

WEB DESIGN

PRESENTLY LEARNING