Résumé

Hello. My name is Alex Mesker. I’m an associate lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature (Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia), where I teach in the fields of interactive media, creative coding, and front-end web development.

Background

I have been at Macquarie University since 1998 (initially as a student, undertaking a BA in Contemporary Music Studies) and began working as a teacher in the Department of Contemporary Music Studies in 2002 (when I started a Masters Degree in electronic music production). At this time, I also worked as music technician (2002–2009) for the Department managing the computer labs. In 2009, I shifted my focus back into teaching when I undertook a PhD (completed in 2018).

I spent my early years teaching disparate fields music production and ‘multimedia’ before everything began to coalesce into what I teach today. Most of my work now revolves around the use of Max, teaching creative coding strategies to media and creative arts students.

Max is an unknown environment to a majority of my students, and consequently my teaching serves to introduce computational arts ideas—and technologised play—to students from non-programming backgrounds. Given the broad nature of the department, the units I teach cater to students from a variety of backgrounds of study, and Max functions as a central hub to connect previously disparate fields of sound design, music production, screen production, motion/image/3D design, and human-computer interaction.

Teaching Experience

• MMCC3023: Interactive and Digital Arts (2017–present) [convenor, lecturer, tutor]
• MMCC8097/ICOM897: Interactive Media Arts (2012–present) [convenor, lecturer, tutor]
• MMCC2039: Principles of Web Design (2024–present) [convenor, lecturer, tutor]
• MMCC2041: Interactive Web Design (2017–present) [tutor, practical tutor]
• MMCC2140/MAS240: Cybercultures (2009–2023) [tutor, practical tutor]
• MUS302: Sound, Image, and Interactive Media (2002–2017) [convenor, lecturer, tutor]
• MAS380: Advanced Audio and Sound Design (2009–2012) [guest lecturer]
• MUS211: Digital Rhythms and Dance Music Cultures (2003–2006) [tutor, guest lecturer]
• MUS202: Introduction to Music Technique (2005/2018) [lecturer/tutor]
• MUS203: The Virtual Studio and Music Technology (2005) [lecturer/tutor]
• MAS213: Screen Production 2 (2011–2012) [guest lecturer: foley, film sound, sound design]

Other Teaching Experience

I am an avid Max user and Max Certified Trainer.

Education and Qualifications

• PhD (September 2018)
  Macquarie University
  The Limited Soundtrack: Sound and Music of Hanna-Barbera’s Cartoons from 1957–1973.
• MA Research (November 2007)
  Macquarie University
  Analysis and Recreation of Key Features in Selected Autechre Tracks from 1998-2005.
  [+ Supplementary creative audio component: https://x37v.com/Masters/]
• Max/MSP/Jitter Day and Night School (2005)
  Center for New Music and Audio Technologies
• BA [Contemporary Music Studies] (September 2001)
  Macquarie University

Research Profiles

• Institutional Research Profile: https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/alex-mesker
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=lft69FAAAAAJ&hl=en
• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8952-1221

Publications

• Slave to the ‘rithm: the AI turn in the music industries
  Keith, S., Collins, S., Renzo, A. & Mesker, A., 2023, AI and the future of creative work: algorithms and society. Filimowicz, M. (ed.). London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, p. 36-54 19 p. (Algorithms and Society; vol. 9).
• Industry standard? Technocapitalist depictions of music production
  Keith, S., Collins, S., Renzo, A. & Mesker, A., 21 Jun 2022, In: Creative Industries Journal.
• Mastering 2.0: the real or perceived threat of DIY mastering and automated mastering systems
  Collins, S., Renzo, A., Keith, S. & Mesker, A., 2021, In: Popular Music and Society. 44, 3, p. 258-273 16 p.
• Transformations and continuities in the mastering sector
  Collins, S., Renzo, A., Keith, S. & Mesker, A., 2021, Mastering in music. Braddock, J. P., Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Shelvock, M. & Toulson, R. (eds.). London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, p. 249-263 15 p. (Perspectives on Music Production).
• Ghost singers: the singing voice in Korean pop cinema
  Keith, S. & Mesker, A., 2020, The singing voice in contemporary cinema. Hughes, D. & Evans, M. (eds.). South Yorkshire: Equinox Publishing, p. 73-88 16 p. (Genre, Music and Sound).
• Through an ale glass, palely: mermen, Neptune/Poseidon and Tritons as motifs in beer brands and product labels
  Mesker, A., 2019, In: Coolabah. 27, p. 106-135 30 p., 8.
• Time warp: sonic retro-futurism in the Jetsons
  Coyle, R. & Mesker, A., 2013, Music in Science Fiction Television. Donnelly, K. J. & Hayward, P. (eds.). New York: Taylor & Francis, p. 54-89 36 p.
• OSynC: cross-application performance synchronisation of beat-driven musics
  Mesker, A. & Keith, S., 2012, Proceedings of Australasian Computer Music Conference 2012. Brisbane: Griffith Conservatorium, p. 1-6 6 p. [PDF]
• Musical applications and design techniques for the gametrak tethered spatial position controller
  Freed, A., Mccutchen, D., Schmeder, A., Skriver, A. M., Dan Overholt, H., Burleson, W., Jensen, C. N. & Mesker, A., 2009, Proceedings of the 6th Sound and Music Computing Conference, SMC 2009. Gouyon, F., Barbosa, A. & Serra, X. (eds.). Porto: Sound and music Computing network, p. 189-194 6 p.

Creative Works

• Schrödinger’s String
  Mesker, A., 21 Oct 2015. In the Loop: Feeding the Polyphonic Present, Macquarie University Art Gallery, Sydney Australia.

Web, Design, Layout, Publishing

I love HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In my spare time I work as a freelance front-end web developer (which typically involves design implementation and interface design). In addition, I provide editing/layout/publication services for peer-reviewed open-access academic journals.