Christopher Finlay

Dr. Christopher Finlay is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Loyola Marymount University's College of Communication and Fine Arts since 2012. He specializes in digital media cultures, sports communication, global media industries, and political communication. Finlay teaches courses such as 'The Digital Self' and 'Wires and Empires,' focusing on socio-psychological and international dimensions of media narratives. He co-founded LMU's Lingdao Fellows Program, fostering global leadership through immersive experiences in China.

Finlay holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania. His research explores media narratives around sports events, nationalism, and digital media's societal impact. In 2023, he led LMU Summer Programs' 'Decoding Social and Streaming Media,' analyzing media economics, psychology, and politics.

His academic contributions include studies on Olympic media, gender representation in sports, and the intersection of media with global cultural and political dynamics. Finlay emphasizes student-driven exploration and critical thinking, aligning with LMU's Jesuit mission to educate the whole person.

Key initiatives include the Lingdao Fellows Program, which cultivates intercultural leadership through dialogue and global engagement. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, emphasizing media's role in shaping identity and societal structures.