Martin Lister, a writer, teacher, and scholar of photography and new media, has died at age 78. He was a key figure in the study of how technology intersects with cultural ways of seeing, editing the influential book *The Photographic Image in Digital Culture* (1995) and co-authoring *New Media: A Critical Introduction* (2003). Lister served as head of the school of cultural studies at the University of the West of England (UWE) and taught at institutions including Cockpit Arts Workshop and Newport College of Art and Design.
Lister's work matters because it provided rigorous, clear analysis of the transition from analogue to digital media at a time when such shifts were often hyped or misunderstood. His books became standard teaching texts, shaping how generations of students and scholars understand digital culture, photography, and visual culture. His career also highlights the importance of integrating arts education with community and museum projects, particularly through photography with young people.