Stephen Elms
Principal, Elms Digital Ltd.
Doctoral Candidate at University College London
Education
University College London | Institute of Education
PhD, Culture, Communication, and Media
2020- In Progress
PhD, Culture, Communication, and Media
2020- In Progress
Columbia University in the City of New York | School of the Arts
MFA, Theatre Management & Producing
2005 – 2008
MFA, Theatre Management & Producing
2005 – 2008
University of North Carolina School of the Arts | Design & Production
BFA, Lighting Design
1994 – 1998
BFA, Lighting Design
1994 – 1998
University of Michigan | School of Information
MicroMasters, User Experience (UX) Research and Design
2018 – 2019
MicroMasters, User Experience (UX) Research and Design
2018 – 2019
With three decades of experience spanning theater production, digital strategy, and academic research, I bring unique insight to organizations navigating complex change. My journey from Broadway stagehand to digital strategist, and now to doctoral researcher, reflects a career built on adaptability and continuous learning.
My transitions between industries sparked my current research focus at University College London, where I investigate how technological advancement impacts workforce development in offsite construction. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting skills across evolving industries, I am driven to help workers facing increasingly complex technical demands. My research examines crucial questions about skill adaptation and training in an era of rapid technological change.
Before moving to England, my career began in New York City as an IATSE stagehand, working on Broadway productions like “Rent,” “Aida,” and “Riverdance”; I later transitioned into digital strategy and marketing, shaping brand strategies for major live entertainment organizations including Blue Man Group, Disney Theatrical Productions, The Metropolitan Opera, and Tony Award-winning Broadway shows.
Today, I deliver strategic solutions, as principal of Elms Digital Ltd., to clients across performing arts organizations, philanthropic foundations, and commercial real estate firms. Additionally, I serve as President of Columbia University Club of London, a volunteer leadership role where I guide strategic initiatives for the largest international alumni chapter, connecting over 5,000 members across the UK.
My academic foundation combines creative and technical expertise: a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, an MFA from Columbia University, and a MicroMasters in User Experience Research from the University of Michigan. I maintain active membership in the Interaction Design Association (IxDA) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Within ACM, I participate in Special Interest Groups focused on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), Artificial Intelligence (SIGAI), and Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (SIGGRAPH).
Driven by curiosity and meaningful impact, I focus on bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly where technology and human skills intersect. My diverse path reflects resilience, adaptability, and an enduring commitment to addressing complex challenges through research and practice.
My transitions between industries sparked my current research focus at University College London, where I investigate how technological advancement impacts workforce development in offsite construction. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting skills across evolving industries, I am driven to help workers facing increasingly complex technical demands. My research examines crucial questions about skill adaptation and training in an era of rapid technological change.
Before moving to England, my career began in New York City as an IATSE stagehand, working on Broadway productions like “Rent,” “Aida,” and “Riverdance”; I later transitioned into digital strategy and marketing, shaping brand strategies for major live entertainment organizations including Blue Man Group, Disney Theatrical Productions, The Metropolitan Opera, and Tony Award-winning Broadway shows.
Today, I deliver strategic solutions, as principal of Elms Digital Ltd., to clients across performing arts organizations, philanthropic foundations, and commercial real estate firms. Additionally, I serve as President of Columbia University Club of London, a volunteer leadership role where I guide strategic initiatives for the largest international alumni chapter, connecting over 5,000 members across the UK.
My academic foundation combines creative and technical expertise: a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, an MFA from Columbia University, and a MicroMasters in User Experience Research from the University of Michigan. I maintain active membership in the Interaction Design Association (IxDA) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Within ACM, I participate in Special Interest Groups focused on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), Artificial Intelligence (SIGAI), and Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (SIGGRAPH).
Driven by curiosity and meaningful impact, I focus on bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly where technology and human skills intersect. My diverse path reflects resilience, adaptability, and an enduring commitment to addressing complex challenges through research and practice.