Denise is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages at the University of South Australia.  Denise's research focuses on the use of Web 2.0 and 3D virtual worlds to increase social participation, as well as the pedagogical benefits of social media in teaching and learning.  She is currently leading a research team on a project funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, which involves the design and development of an open source, accessible 3D virtual learning platform.  She is also managing a project funded by the Sough Australian Government, Officer of Volunteers, Sustainable Online Community Engagement, which involves students developing Websites for community organisations through a service learning initiative.  The project was honoured with the Premier's Public Sector Award for Building Communities in 2009 in recognition of the professional skills that students gain from the learning experience as well as the benefits to the community groups.  Denise is Associate Editor of the Higher Education and Research Development Journal and a peer reviewer of several high ranked journal publications.  She is a member of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (SACDI) as well as various advisory committees and working groups concerned with increasing social participation through improved access to information and communication technologies.  Denise's work in innovative teaching and learning, and accessibility solutions has been recognised with several awards including an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, an SA Great Award, several University teaching and equity awards and the inaugural 2010 Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell award for Telecommunications and Disability