Brooke Erin Duffy

Brooke Erin Duffy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell University, with affiliations in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the Graduate Field of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Media Studies. Her research investigates digital and social media industries, gender and identity dynamics, the gig economy’s impact on creative labor, and algorithmic governance in cultural production. She is a prominent voice in feminist media studies, blending academic rigor with public engagement through outlets like The Atlantic, Vox, and The New York Times.

• Education: Ph.D. in Communication (University of Pennsylvania, 2011), M.A. (University of Pennsylvania, 2008), B.A. in Communications (Penn State University, 2002)

Her work highlights the gendered politics of digital labor, focusing on social media influencers, platform precarity, and the tension between authenticity and visibility. Recent research examines algorithmic systems, platform paternalism, and the visibility bind in creator economies.

Duffy’s academic contributions include leadership in organizations like the American Influencer Council and Content Creator Scholar Network. She received multiple honors, including the 2021 Top Student-Led Paper award and the 2014 Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Outstanding Woman Junior Scholar Award.

• Teaching: Courses on New Media & Society, Gender and Media, and Platform Labor and Precarity
• Public Impact: Regular commentary in global media and a 2024 contributor role at Forbes