It is exciting when faculty can help shape decisions of influential courts like the 9th Circuit. Recently, Prof. Andy Phelps contributed his expertise in a Brief of Amici Curiae about the Upper Deck Company v. Ryan Milton (Ryan Miller). Prof Phelps serves advises PhD students at the AU SOC, and directs the AU Game Center.… Read More »
Almost every week, a different expert in federal policy or international relations visits the classes of American University. There’s something special about being in DC. What does that look like for our grad programs on Media, Technology and Democracy? To name a few, in the 2025-26 school year we’ve had: The intimacy of Washington, D.C.,… Read More »
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 photos above are from selected fall presentations from our classes in Media Theory, Methods and the introduction to Media, Technology and Democracy (2025). Students were often grouped into panels, similar to how conference presentations are often structured. This provides a chance to practice the professional structures of academia – and for some celebration and… 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 »