Greta Samuel (Rei), PhD (They/Them)
Visual Narratologist |
Documentary Comics |
Neuroqueer Aesthetics |
Visual Narratologist |
Documentary Comics |
Neuroqueer Aesthetics |
Greta Samuel is an artist-researcher whose work operates at the intersection of oral history, acoustic ecology, and non-fiction visual narratives. They hold a Ph.D. with honors from the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology in Warsaw.
Foundations: Documentary Comics & Oral History
Their doctoral research investigated the translation of recorded interviews into visual scripts. Their award-winning project "emigracJA" (awarded the prestigious IBBY Prize in 2025) serves as a foundational study on displacement and identity. By utilizing audio recordings as the primary source for documentary comic scripts, they developed a methodology for capturing lived experiences through a rigorous, non-fiction lens, bridging the gap between sound and graphic storytelling.
Their doctoral research investigated the translation of recorded interviews into visual scripts. Their award-winning project "emigracJA" (awarded the prestigious IBBY Prize in 2025) serves as a foundational study on displacement and identity. By utilizing audio recordings as the primary source for documentary comic scripts, they developed a methodology for capturing lived experiences through a rigorous, non-fiction lens, bridging the gap between sound and graphic storytelling.
Current Inquiry: Sonic Graphy
Building upon their experience with audio-based narratives, their current research trajectory focuses on Graphic Sensory Transduction. This project investigates how "invisible" vibrational and acoustic data can be translated into minimalist, analog comic narratives.
Building upon their experience with audio-based narratives, their current research trajectory focuses on Graphic Sensory Transduction. This project investigates how "invisible" vibrational and acoustic data can be translated into minimalist, analog comic narratives.
Methodology & Technology:
The research utilizes high-fidelity field recording (Schoeps) and unconventional acoustic tools—including geophones and contact microphones—to capture the tactile and sonic datasets of urban environments. These datasets are then translated onto archival found papers, exploring the material memory of the medium and the physical trace of sound.
The research utilizes high-fidelity field recording (Schoeps) and unconventional acoustic tools—including geophones and contact microphones—to capture the tactile and sonic datasets of urban environments. These datasets are then translated onto archival found papers, exploring the material memory of the medium and the physical trace of sound.
Key Research Pillars:
- Neurodivergent Perception: Mapping urban spaces through a neuroqueer lens, focusing on the subjective sensory experiences of autistic adults.
- Autistic Masking: Utilizing artistic inquiry to visualize the impact of masking on the navigation and perception of public and private spaces.
- Sensory Mapping: Redefining the "map" not as a geographic tool, but as a sensory record of vibrational and tactile lived experiences.
- Autistic Masking: Utilizing artistic inquiry to visualize the impact of masking on the navigation and perception of public and private spaces.
- Sensory Mapping: Redefining the "map" not as a geographic tool, but as a sensory record of vibrational and tactile lived experiences.
Professional Expertise & Knowledge Transfer
A high level of professional practice in educational and technical visualization underpins their research. In 2026, they illustrated "Moon Landing" for the DK Super Readers series (Penguin Random House). This collaboration exemplifies their expertise in Visual Literacy—the ability to bridge complex historical and technical data with accessible, high-quality visual storytelling, a skill central to their documentary research.
A high level of professional practice in educational and technical visualization underpins their research. In 2026, they illustrated "Moon Landing" for the DK Super Readers series (Penguin Random House). This collaboration exemplifies their expertise in Visual Literacy—the ability to bridge complex historical and technical data with accessible, high-quality visual storytelling, a skill central to their documentary research.
International Collaboration
Greta is currently expanding her research-led practice through international academic collaborations. She is focused on developing the Sonic Graphy project within the framework of European post-doctoral fellowships, seeking to bridge artistic research methodologies across diverse cultural and sensory landscapes.
Greta is currently expanding her research-led practice through international academic collaborations. She is focused on developing the Sonic Graphy project within the framework of European post-doctoral fellowships, seeking to bridge artistic research methodologies across diverse cultural and sensory landscapes.
