We are excited about the AU faculty and students presenting at this year’s PCA in Atlanta in April. PCA is the Pop Culture Association conference (April 8-11, 2026). It is one of the most popular and influential academic conferences in the field of popular culture and media. Sessions featuring our faculty and students Thursday, April… Read More »
What kind of book tours feature our faculty? In this post, we highlight Professor Aram Sinnreich, who is on tour with his book The Secret Life of Data: Navigating Hype and Uncertainty in the Age of Algorithmic Surveillance, co-authored with Jesse Gilbert. One twist for academics: beyond bookstores, their appearances can include centers… or even… Read More »
What is behind a recent faculty trip to Brazil for AoIR — the Association of Internet Researchers? In this interview, you’ll find a call for strategy in our field, and how our research connects with this set of international scholars. Two are featured: Profs. Adrienne Massanari and Aram Sinnreich. ——— Eunice Kim (interviewer): What was… Read More »
The unwritten rules can be as important as the conventions of the genre. Get a glimpse behind the curtain with one of our newest hires. Current students and alumni are invited to join the SOC PhD program for a brown bag on “Building Your Academic CV” with Dr. Rohan Grover. Brown Bag sessions are informal,… Read More »
Some of our students already have amazing books ready when they enter our PhD program! This interview features a conversation with Renee, in which we discuss her work, experiences, and perspectives in her own words. Renee Bracey Sherman (she/her) is part of our cohort in the PhD program in Communication, and the author of Liberating… Read More »
Eunice Kim (EK): Today I will be interviewing Dr. Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor of Communication Studies at American University and the author of Kartemquin Films: Documentaries on the Frontlines of Democracy. I also wanted to congratulate you on your Shorenstein Center fellowship for Fall 2025 Documentary Film and the Public Interest Initiative. That’s such an… Read More »
Our newest hire, Prof. Rohan Grover, has published a new piece in The Conversation. It is titled, “Why people don’t demand data privacy — even as governments and corporations collect more personal information,” and is co-authored with Josh Widera. The Conversation is a significant way for research to reach a broader audience (featuring articles from… Read More »
This featured interview is a fascinating discussion with the award-winning author of the new book, “Black Social Television.” It was written by Prof. Sherri Williams of the AU School of Communication; the interview was conducted by graduate student Eunice Kim in October, 2025. See also coverage from February. Interviewer: Now that you’ve won awards and… Read More »
Celebrating the success of our graduates! We are excited to spotlight Hannah Lipstein, a proud graduate of our program, who has been working as a Researchers and Program Associate on the Climate, Technology, and Justice team at Data & Society with Tamara Kneese on an ISF grant. Their continued excellence demonstrates the lasting impact of… Read More »
Congratulations to Professor Patricia Aufderheide published “The Challenge of establishing and maintain ethical norms in US documentary production” in A. Pietrowska, ed., The Ethics of Documentary Film: New Approaches (Edinburgh University Press), ch. 9, pp. 156-72. Patricia Aufderheide was also interviewed for her newest book Kartemquin Films: Documentaries on the Frontlines of Democracy for the New Books Network… Read More »