Peter Szendy

Peter Szendy is the David Herlihy Professor of Comparative Literature and Humanities at Brown University. He previously held positions at Université de Paris Nanterre, NYU, Princeton, and Université Marc-Bloch de Strasbourg. His doctoral work (1995) focused on Musical Aesthetics at École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), Paris.

Research interests center on the intersection of sound, surveillance, and visual culture. Key themes include: acoustic appropriation of music, panacoustical surveillance paradigms, cinematic representations of apocalypse, and the commodification of visual imagery. His work critically engages with thinkers like Foucault, Deleuze, and Derrida.

Recent publications explore iconomy (visual commodity theory), punctuation semiotics, and the aesthetics of espionage. He co-edits Transposition (music/social sciences journal) and serves on Po&sie's editorial board. Active as musicological advisor for Philharmonie de Paris concert programs.