UMA UMA
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Vanessa Quintal Cesário

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Penteada University Campus , Floor 1, Office 1.101

https://www.vanessacesario.com

vanessa.cesario@staff.uma.pt

(+351) 291 705 238 / 5238

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I believe in the power of storytelling (both in-person and digital) to create genuine emotional connections. Without emotional connection, the message loses its impact! ;)

Biographical Notes

Professor Vanessa Cesário holds a PhD in Digital Media: Communication Sciences and Technologies and a postdoctoral degree in Human-Computer Interaction applied to cultural heritage. In 2021, her doctoral thesis was awarded the distinction Cum Laude by the University of Porto. Her research explores how digital storytelling can enhance the value of heritage by using technology and participation as communication strategies. She is a member of the Interactive Technologies Institute (ITI/LARSyS), where she collaborates on international projects. Known for her practical and critical approach to digital media, she integrates theory and practice in her teaching, equipping students to understand and engage with today?s digital communication landscape. In 2024, she received the "Excellent Teaching Award" from the University of Lisbon, and in 2025, she was featured in the book "Women in Science", an initiative by Ciência Viva that celebrates the contributions of women to scientific progress in Portugal.

-> *Google Scholar* profile with the most recent academic publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=sZqlGTwAAAAJ&hl=en

Publications

- Bridging Cultural Gaps: Insights from Communication in Migrant-Inclusive Cultural Initiatives, Vanessa Cesário, Pedro Campos, Societies International Journal, 2025

- Haka-a-Museum: Designing for a Sustainable Ocean, Maria Van Zeller and Vanessa Cesário, ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS 25), 2025

- Mulher na Ciência: VANESSA CESÁRIO - Investigadora em comunicação multimédia e património cultural, Vanessa Cesário, 978-989-35417-6-0, Ciência Viva, 2025 1

- Ethics in Artificial Intelligence: Ensuring Integrity in Research and Media, Vanessa Cesário and Pedro Campos, ArtsIT, Interactivity and Game Creation (ArtsIT 24), 2024

- Hearing Heritage: Conveying and Preserving Cultural Expressions, Mariana Fernandes, Pedro Campos, and Vanessa Cesário, Advances in Design and Digital Communication (DIGICOM 24), 2024

- The Integrated Museum Engagement Model (IMEM): Bridging Participatory Design, Immersive Storytelling, and Digital Representation for Enhanced Museum Experiences, Vanessa Cesário, Pedro Campos, 1835-2022, International Journal of the Inclusive Museum, 2024, 19

- Design Recommendations for Improving Immersion in Role-Playing Video Games: A Focus on Storytelling and Localisation, Vanessa Cesário, Mariana Ribeiro, and António Coelho, International Journal of Interaction Design and Architecture(s) (IxDA 23), 2023

- Empowering Cultural Heritage Professionals: Designing Interactive Exhibitions with Authoring Tools, Vanessa Cesário, João Freitas and Pedro Campos, International Journal of Museum Management and Curatorship (MMC 23), 2023

- Lessons Learned on Engaging Teenage Visitors in Museums with Story-based and Game-based Strategies, Vanessa Cesário, Valentina Nisi, International Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage (JOCCH 23), 2023

- Designing Mobile Museum Experiences for Teenagers, Vanessa Cesário, Valentina Nisi, International Journal of Museum Management and Curatorship (MMC 22), 2022

Academic Qualifications

- PhD in Media Digitais - Ciências e Tecnologias da Comunicação, 2020, Universidade do Porto

- Master Degree in Gestão Cultural, 2015, University of Madeira

- Undergraduate Degree in Comunicação, Cultura e Organizações, 2012, University of Madeira