I am a researcher and practitioner in animation, visual design, and emerging technologies. I currently work as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Creative Industries at the University of Staffordshire, where I lead the 2D pathway of the Animation programme and contributes to curriculum development for emerging technologies across the Design, Visual Arts, and Media & Digital Communication clusters.
I hold a PhD in Media Studies, focused on animation and cultural adaptation, an MA in Animation, and a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication (Graphics). I bring over a decade of professional experience as an animator, storyboard artist, visual designer/illustrator, and art director, and my personal work has been exhibited at the Aydın Doğan International Cartoon Competition and the Parvin Etesami International Film Festival.
View my website.
Professional memberships and activities
- Society for Animation Studies
- ACM SIGGRAPH
- ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educators Forum
- Immersive Ireland
Academic qualifications
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
2026
Advance HE
PhD in Media Studies
Thesis: An Analysis of Iconic and Pure Abstractions in Animated Adaptations of Shahnameh
(https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19303/)
2018–2022
National University of Ireland Maynooth
MA in Animation
2009–2012
Tehran University of Art
BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Graphics)
2005–2009
Alzahra University
Research interests
My research currently focuses on real-time, immersive and interactive technologies for hybrid animation production, visual design and storytelling.
My research interests also span:
- Cultural and creative practices
- Animation production
- Immersive and interactive storytelling
- Experimental media arts
- Critical investigation of AI’s impact on creative practices
- The application of art and technology in education and mental and physical well-being
- Employability in animation and the creative industries
Dr Astani welcomes PhD candidates from all creative disciplines.
Grants
- 2025 - ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum 2025 Faculty Grant
- 2022 - Emru Townsend Travel Grant for 33rd Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference
- 2021 - Maynooth University HEA COVID-19 Fund
- 2020 - ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educators Forum 2020 Scholarship
- 2018 - John & Pat Hume Postgraduate Research Scholarship for Media Studies PhD, Maynooth University
- 2016 - Emru Townsend Travel Grant for the 28th Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference
Teaching
- Animation Practices and Studies
- 2D Frame-by-Frame and Cut-Out animation
- Animation Pitch and Pipeline
- Storyboarding and Previs
- Concept Arts Development
- Real-Time and Emerging Technologies for Animation and Design
- Experimental and Extended Creative Practices
- Research, Ethics, Practice-based Methods
- Iranian Animation
- Cultural Adaptation
- Life Drawing
- Visual Arts
- AI’s Impacts on Creative Practices
Publications
Astani, M. 2026, Pushing the Boundaries of Animation Production in Immersive Formats: A Case Study of Quill, Virtual Creativity 15(1), 31-49. (https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/vc_00097_1)
Astani, M. 2026, Beyond Representation: Reimagining Shahnameh in Abstracted Forms of Animation, Animation Studies Journal 20(1). (https://journal.animationstudies.org/article/id/171/)