Erik teaches Italian language and culture. He has a Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Film Studies and a PhD in Italian from The Ohio State University. For over a decade, he has worked as a freelance filmmaker in Italy, Spain, and the U.S. He has directed and produced documentaries, television programs, and short movies that feature a variety of topics and testimonials. His research focuses on the intersections between moving images and cultures. His interests include Italian cinema and literature, migrations studies, media studies, and digital humanities.