& Data Points
Filmmaker, educator, and researcher — Shekhar Dash occupies a rare intersection where cinematic storytelling meets learning science and data analytics. Born in Bangladesh and trained at Santiniketan, Nobel laureate Tagore’s university, and later at the prestigious and highly competitive Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, he spent nearly a decade building media institutions in Dhaka before crossing the ocean to pursue a graduate degree in Educational Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship at UNC Chapel Hill.
Today, he works as a Research Assistant at UNC's Mathematics Potential Lab, studies how AI and XR reshape learning, and work as an analyst for a VR athlete training startup — all while continuing to write screenplays and mentor the next generation of filmmakers through Payntara, his youth arts initiative.
Contributes to research on embodied, AI-supported learning, analyzing how movement and interaction shape mathematical thinking. Works with multimodal data — video, behavioral traces — using R and qualitative methods.
Analyzes and visualizes VR performance data using R to support coaches' decision-making. Edits and optimizes immersive video content to enhance feedback and learning within VR training environments.
An ongoing design-based research project exploring how AI- and XR-mediated, embodied interactions can transform classroom learning. Integrates design-based research, learning analytics, and interaction analysis. MEITE Program · UNC Chapel Hill · 2025–Present.
Taught World Film History I & II and Screenplay Writing. Designed project-based curricula where students produced short films from concept to final cut. Led portfolio-based assessment and mentored emerging filmmakers.
Taught Film Direction, Screenplay Writing, Screen Acting, Music Video Production, and World Film History. Supervised 30+ student film and media projects per semester; structured peer-critique and collaborative production workflows.
Created a platform enabling underserved youth to learn writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and acting through low-budget film production. Designed scaffolded, hands-on curricula to support novice creators.
Youth Media Film Education Hands-on Learning
Leads community storytelling workshops documenting rural musicians and folk artists through field recordings and co-creation. Develops participatory media processes for agricultural and environmental communication.
Participatory Media Folk Documentation Rural Communities
Kancha Agro Initiative: Developing a platform for cluster-based farmer–retailer connections for vegetables, fruits, and fish. Conducted market research with smallholders, highlighting the role of trust and communication in adoption.
Designed a game to teach C programming. Shortlisted for ICT Idea Grant and selected for a professional fellowship by the U.S. Department of State.
US State Dept. Fellow ICT Grant Shortlist Game-Based Learning
Founded and led a media production company, directing 50+ projects across TV commercials, NGO documentaries, and government audiovisual productions. Achieved ~25% annual revenue growth.
50+ Projects TV & NGO Govt. Productions
