Michelle Leccese

Michelle Leccese, M.A., is an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University and a PhD candidate at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where they focus on media and psychology research. Their dissertation explores therapeutic interventions through tabletop role-playing games to aid trauma recovery. With a background in psychology, user research, and trauma-informed design, Michelle has contributed to notable projects with Activision and has published work analyzing the emotional healing potential of video games. They have a commitment to designing inclusive media experiences that empower individuals during vulnerable moments.