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H. Samy Alim is a Professor and David O. Sears Presidential Endowed Chair in the Division of Social Sciences at UCLA, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Anthropology. He serves as Associate Director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies and leads the UCLA Hip Hop Initiative. Alim’s research focuses on Hip Hop Culture, Black Language, and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies, with over 25 years of scholarship in these areas. His work bridges academia and activism, emphasizing Hip Hop’s transformative role in global social justice movements. Alim earned his PhD in Anthropology from Stanford University (2003), following MA (2002) and BA (1999) degrees. His academic contributions include twelve authored/edited books, such as Freedom Moves (2023) and Articulate While Black (2012). His research spans Hip Hop’s linguistic innovations, racialized language politics, and its pedagogical potential in education. Key projects include ethnographic studies in Cape Town, South Africa, and collaborative initiatives like the UC Press Hip Hop Studies Book Series. He co-edits the Oxford Handbook of Language and Race and directs the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Language. Alim has engaged with global Hip Hop artists (e.g., Chuck D of Public Enemy) to co-produce knowledge, emphasizing Hip Hop as a site of theorizing and activism. His teaching and research highlight intersections of language, race, and power, advocating for pedagogies that sustain cultural identities while fostering equity. Collaborations with organizations like Heal the Hood in South Africa reflect his commitment to community-driven scholarship.

• Hip Hop Culture
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Sociolinguistics
• +4 more

Heidi R. Lewis is the David and Lucile Packard Professor of Feminist & Gender Studies at Colorado College. She serves as President of the National Women's Studies Association (2023-25) and Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Bibliography in Women's & Gender Studies. Her research focuses on Black Feminisms, Hip Hop discourse, and Critical Media Studies, with a current project challenging narratives around Mumble Rap's authenticity. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University and has taught interdisciplinary courses including Hip Hop & Feminism and Critical Media Studies. Education: Ph.D., American Studies, Purdue University (2011) M.A., English Literature, Ohio University (2005) B.A., English Studies, Robert Morris University (2003) Research Interests: Lewis interrogates intersections of race, gender, and media through projects like her forthcoming book on Mumble Rap and a documentary on her experiences during the crack cocaine epidemic. She employs discourse analysis to challenge dominant narratives in Hip Hop and feminist theory, emphasizing marginalized voices and transnational collaborations. Service & Leadership: As Director of Feminist & Gender Studies, Lewis secured funding for new faculty lines, student programs, and community partnerships. Nationally, she co-created the #FemSTEMSymposium to bridge feminist inquiry and STEM fields. Her service prioritizes equity, including roles on promotion committees and external reviews for academic centers. Community Engagement: Lewis collaborates with organizations like the Kampagne für Opfer Rassistischer Polizeigewalt and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Her work extends beyond academia through public talks, media contributions, and initiatives like the Marsha P. Johnson Professorship.

• Feminist Theory
• Black Feminism
• Critical Media Studies
• +3 more

Justin Russell Greene serves as an Advanced Instructor in the Department of English within Virginia Tech's College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. With over 15 years of teaching experience across multiple institutions, he currently teaches courses in film, literature, and writing at Virginia Tech, where he has been employed since 2019. His academic journey spans various teaching positions at Virginia Tech, Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and several community colleges. Greene earned his BA, MA, and PhD in English and Media, Art, and Text from Virginia Commonwealth University. His educational background reflects his interdisciplinary approach that bridges traditional literary studies with contemporary media and cultural analysis. He has also completed professional development certifications in Anti-Racist Teaching and Foundations of Online Teaching at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the intersections of cinema, media, and cultural studies, with particular attention to authorship, celebrity, and gender performance. Greene examines how authors and celebrities construct their identities across various media platforms, exploring topics ranging from Quentin Tarantino's cinematic masculinity to Roxane Gay's digital presence. His work often analyzes the performative aspects of identity in contemporary culture, particularly through fashion, social media, and visual storytelling. Greene's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on authorial identity construction across media platforms. His publications reveal a trajectory from examining literary authors' fashion choices to analyzing digital performances of identity on social media, and more recently to cinematic studies of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Jordan Peele. The evolution of his work reflects broader cultural shifts toward digital and visual media while maintaining a consistent theoretical framework centered on performance and identity construction. Joyce Gentry Smoot Award (2025) for Excellence in Teaching by an Instructor As an educator, Greene has served as a reader on graduate student capstones and has been actively involved in curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. He has participated in numerous professional development activities focused on writing instruction, anti-racist pedagogy, and the integration of AI in teaching. His teaching philosophy emphasizes building student confidence in writing abilities, recognizing diverse student backgrounds, and providing individualized feedback to help students develop their unique voices. Greene is currently working on projects examining Jordan Peele's Nope (2022) regarding point-of-view and gore, as well as speculative adaptations in contemporary US media. His research interests continue to evolve with cultural trends while maintaining his core focus on performance, identity, and media representation.

• Cinema Studies
• Media Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Christopher Emdin is a Professor of Science Education and Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He directs the STEAM, DREAM & IdeaLab initiatives. Emdin holds a B.S. in Physical Anthropology/Biology/Chemistry from Lehman College (2000), an M.S. in Natural Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003), and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center (2007). His research focuses on urban STEM education , culturally responsive pedagogy , and Hip-Hop Education (HipHopEd) . Emdin has received prestigious awards including the Strage Prize (2011) and PDK International Outstanding Dissertation Award (2008) . He pioneered projects like the Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. , using rap battles to engage urban students in science. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing reality pedagogy and cosmopolitan ethics . Key contributions include over 50 publications on urban science education, equity, and hip-hop pedagogy. He is a leader in professional organizations such as NARST and AERA. Emdin’s grants include collaborations with NSF and Fund for Teachers, focusing on science agency and leadership in urban schools. His lab, IdeaLab , advances innovative teaching strategies rooted in youth culture.

• STEM Education
• Urban Science Education
• Hip-Hop Education (HipHopEd)
• +3 more

Aisha Durham is a Professor of Communication at the University of South Florida's College of Arts and Sciences, with affiliations in Humanities & Cultural Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007) and has held academic positions at Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on Black feminist thought, autoethnography, and media/cultural studies. She is the award-winning author of Home with Hip Hop Feminism: Performances in Communication and Culture and a co-editor of Home Girls Make Some Noise! Key research areas include Hip Hop Feminism, intersectionality, and qualitative methodologies. Durham has received prestigious awards such as the NCA Marsha Houston Award and the Ellis-Bochner Award for autoethnography. She contributes to public scholarship through podcasts, media analyses, and international talks for outlets like CNN and NPR. Her work emphasizes democratizing knowledge and addressing systemic inequities in academia and culture. Professional activities include editorial board roles, advisory positions (e.g., Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap), and keynote speaking at institutions worldwide. Her recent publications explore pedagogical resistance, hiphop literacies, and Black feminist mentorship frameworks.

• Media and Cultural Studies
• Black Feminist Thought
• Autoethnography
• +3 more

Ethiraj Gabriel Dattatreyan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New York University. He holds a joint PhD in Anthropology and Education from the University of Pennsylvania (2015) and a B.A. in Economics and Finance from George Mason University (1997). His research focuses on media consumption, production, and circulation in relation to migration, gender, race, and urban space. He co-edits the Multimodal Section of the American Anthropological Association's flagship journal, American Anthropologist. His first book, *The Globally Familiar: Digital hip hop, masculinity and urban space in Delhi* (Duke UP, 2020), examines how Delhi’s youth utilize hip hop aesthetics through digital platforms. His forthcoming co-authored book *Digital Unsettling: Decoloniality and Dispossession in the Age of Social Media* (NYU Press) critiques corporate social media’s colonial legacies. Current projects include ethnographic work on African communities in India and a study of Angolan anthropologist Augusto Zita N’Gonguenho’s anticolonial methodologies. He previously served as Senior Lecturer and co-director of the Centre for Visual Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London. His research employs collaborative, multimodal approaches to explore decoloniality, digital media’s socio-political impacts, and urban cultural dynamics.

• Media Studies
• Urban Anthropology
• Digital Cultures
• +6 more

Joshua B. Guild is an Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University. He is also an Associated Faculty member in the Program in Urban Studies and has been involved with the Center for Digital Humanities. His scholarly work bridges historical research with public engagement and digital innovation. His education includes a PhD in History and African American Studies from Yale University and an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, where he was a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. Professor Guild's research centers on 20th- and 21st-century African American social and cultural history, urban history, and the modern African diaspora. His interests include migration, black internationalism, black popular music, and the black radical tradition. He is deeply engaged in the digital humanities and public scholarship, organizing seminars and contributing to podcasts and public exhibitions. The recent publications and projects reflect a strong focus on urban Black communities, transnational migration, and cultural politics. Themes include the Great Migration, postwar New York and London, New Orleans after Katrina, and the Black 1980s. His work combines historical analysis with cultural critique and social justice advocacy. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship Ford Foundation Fellowship Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Award Charles Warren Center Fellowship (Harvard University) W.E.B. Du Bois Institute Fellow (Harvard University) Professor Guild has advised graduate students through seminars and collaborative projects, though no individual students are named. He has led initiatives supported by institutional grants, particularly in digital humanities and public engagement. His leadership in the 'Black Studies in the Digital Age' seminar and editorial work on the 'Black 1980s' special issue demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field through interdisciplinary collaboration. He is affiliated with the Program in Urban Studies and the Center for Digital Humanities at Princeton, where he contributes to shaping curricula and research directions in African American Studies and digital scholarship.

• African American History
• Urban History
• Black Diaspora
• +8 more

Dotun Ayobade is an Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Black Studies at Northwestern University. His research focuses on how embodied popular culture shapes community, justice, and activism in postcolonial West Africa, particularly examining the interplay of aesthetics and social performance in Nigeria. He holds a joint appointment across disciplines and has taught at the University of Texas at Austin and Brown University prior to Northwestern. His academic interests include African/Black Performance Theory, African Popular Culture, and the intersection of performance with postcolonial politics. He is currently completing a book on Nigeria’s Afrobeat Queens, analyzing their role in Fela Kuti’s music subculture, under contract with Indiana University Press. This work has earned him prestigious awards, including the University of Texas Continuing Fellowship and Brown University’s Salomon Award. His scholarly contributions span peer-reviewed journals like Dance Research Journal and Journal of African Cultural Studies , with articles exploring topics such as sonic embodiment in Nigerian music and the spatial poetics of protest. He also engages with public discourse through platforms like Africa is a Country , addressing issues like neoliberalism and cultural netizenship. Ayobade’s work bridges performance ethnography, gender studies, and postcolonial theory, emphasizing the agency of marginalized voices in shaping cultural narratives. His research integrates interdisciplinary methods to unpack how performance mediates between individual creativity and collective socio-political realities in Africa and its diasporas.

• African/Black Performance Theory
• African Popular Culture
• Performance Ethnography/Historiography
• +3 more

Dr. Elaine Richardson is a Professor of Literacy Studies in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Her work focuses on African Diasporic literacies, discourse studies, and gender studies. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Cleveland State University and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. B.A. and M.A., Cleveland State University Ph.D., Michigan State University Her research explores language, literacy, and discourse practices in Afro-diasporic communities, with emphases on sociolinguistics and critical discourse analysis. She co-edited key texts like Understanding African American Rhetoric and Hiphop Literacies , and her outreach includes youth empowerment projects. Notable awards include the Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni Award (2007) and Fulbright Scholar Award (2004). Her work bridges academia and community through projects like cultural literacy initiatives and hip hop education networks.

• African Diaspora Literacies
• Discourse Studies
• Gender and Literacy Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Bryce Henson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University, with an affiliation in the Africana Studies Program. He holds a PhD in Communications & Media from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, focusing on cultural studies and interpretative theory. His research bridges African Diaspora studies, global Black intellectual traditions, and media analysis, with a particular focus on Brazil and the Caribbean. Education: PhD in Communications & Media (Cultural Studies), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Graduate Minor in Latin American & Caribbean Studies Research: Henson examines Black cultural production in Brazil, including hip-hop, urban studies, and marronage/aquilombamento. His book Emergent Quilombos: Black Life and Hip-Hop in Brazil (2023) earned multiple awards, including the NCA Book of the Year Award. Current projects explore Brazilian Carnival’s entanglement with racialized violence and Lélia Gonzalez’s amefricanidade theory to analyze Pan-African connections beyond North America and Africa. Awards: 2024 NCA Critical/Cultural Studies Division Book Award 2024 NCA Ethnography Division Best Book Award 2024 Roberto Reis First Book Prize Honorable Mention Teaching & Grants: Henson teaches courses on Black media, global media, and critical ethnography. He received a 2023 Fulbright Distinguished Chair to research Brazilian Carnival at Universidade Federal da Bahia (2024). He advises students on qualitative methods and social justice research. Professional Roles: Advisory board member for the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD), Associate Editor of Transforming Anthropology , and active member of NCA, ASA, and BRASA.

• African Diaspora Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Global Black Intellectual Traditions
• +4 more

Jack Martínez Arias is an Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies at Hamilton College , specializing in Indigenous and Andean Studies . His work critically examines the intersections of extractive industries , cultural production , and environmental impacts in Peruvian and Bolivian contexts. Education: Ph.D. from Northwestern University, B.A. from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. His research explores how literature , film , and cultural narratives reflect and resist extractivism , colonialism , and environmental degradation . He also investigates transculturación in Andean traditions and the role of science fiction as a tool for cultural resistance . Martínez Arias’ publications focus on Andean modernity , mining fictions , and ecocritical responses to extractive practices. His recent journal contributions span Latin American literature , film studies , and popular culture , emphasizing historical memory and social justice . Additional roles include serving on the Latin American Studies Committee and advising the Spanish Club . He is a member of the Latin American Studies Association and has taught courses on Hispanic cinema , Indigenous migration , and Spanish immersion .

• Indigenous Studies
• Andean Studies
• Latin American Literature
• +7 more

John L. Jackson, Jr. is the Richard Perry University Professor and Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. He holds appointments in the Department of Anthropology, Annenberg School for Communication, and Africana Studies. His research bridges race theory, visual anthropology, and media studies, focusing on topics like globalization, critical race theory, and urban studies. Jackson earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Columbia University (2000) and B.A. in Communication from Howard University (1993). He has produced award-winning documentaries including Bad Friday and co-founded CAMRA, an initiative advancing visual ethnography. His work includes influential books such as Thin Description (2013) and Racial Paranoia (2008), exploring racial identity and media representation. Jackson has served as Dean of the Annenberg School and School of Social Policy & Practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary scholarship and diversity initiatives. His teaching awards and leadership underscore his commitment to innovative academic practices. Key achievements include editing Oxford Bibliographies in Anthropology and producing films screened globally. His research spans media ethnography, religious studies, and diaspora communities, with grants from NSF and Ford Foundation. Jackson’s labs CAMRA and Center for Experimental Ethnography pioneer multimodal research methods.

• Ethnographic Film and Visual Studies
• Critical Race Theory
• Globalization, Transnationalism, and Diaspora
• +5 more

Brittnay Proctor-Habil is an Assistant Professor of Race and Media in the School of Media Studies at The New School. Her research focuses on performance, popular culture, and sound/visual culture at the intersection of blackness, gender, and sexuality. She authored Minnie Riperton’s Come to My Garden (2022) and is currently working on two book projects: one tracing Black Southern migration to California through sound, and another analyzing funk music’s gender and sexuality discourses via LP records and CDs. Proctor-Habil holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a B.A. from the University of California, Riverside. Her scholarly work spans platforms like Essence.com , Journal of Popular Music Studies , and ASAP/Journal . She teaches courses such as Black Feminist Media Methods and Blaxploitation Films , and supervises thesis projects. Her writing often intersects cultural critique, Black studies, and interdisciplinary methodologies.

• Race and Media
• Black Studies
• Gender and Sexuality
• +3 more

Dr. George Allen O. Villanueva is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the Race & Ethnic Studies Institute and Latinx/o/a & Mexican American Studies programs. His research focuses on how marginalized communities of color navigate structural oppression through communication, media, activism, and expressive culture. His interdisciplinary work integrates critical theories from communication, anthropology, and sociology. Dr. Villanueva holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Southern California and has taught at Loyola University Chicago before joining Texas A&M. Education: B.A. in Black Studies and History (UC Santa Barbara), M.Sc. in Global Media and Communications (London School of Economics), and PhD in Communication (USC Annenberg School). Research Interests : Urban equity advocacy, communication infrastructure, critical hip hop pedagogy, anti-displacement strategies, and engaged scholarship. His methods emphasize participatory and autoethnographic approaches to address systemic inequities in cities. Notable projects include the Chinatown anti-displacement map and walking tour, the Hollywood Community Studio, and the Northeast Los Angeles Riverfront Collaborative. His 2022 book Promoting Urban Social Justice won the 2023 Jane Jacobs Book Award for its contribution to urban communication studies. Community Engagement : Over 20 years of experience in community organizing, urban planning, and social change advocacy, including roles in electoral politics and strategic communication consulting.

• Urban Equity Advocacy
• Communication Infrastructure
• Critical Hip Hop Pedagogy
• +3 more

Nicole Files-Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Mass Communications Department at Lincoln University. Formerly a television producer and writer, she brings industry experience to academia. She earned her PhD in Mass Communications and Media Studies from Howard University, where she also obtained graduate certificates in Women’s Studies, Distance Learning, and Preparing Future Faculty. Her interdisciplinary research explores marginalized groups through the lenses of Communication Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Theory. Key areas include: Sexual identity formation and negotiation Intersectionality in media representations Queer theory applications in tourism spaces Critical pedagogy in digital environments Race/ethnicity dynamics in mass communication Her publications engage with popular media texts like Beyoncé’s Formation, Noah’s Arc, and Love & Hip-Hop. These works examine power dynamics, identity performance, and cultural critique through feminist and queer frameworks. Scientific achievements include: Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation award (Fethiye, Turkey) Leadership roles in National Communications Association (NCA) and Eastern Communications Association (ECA) Pioneering curriculum development for students of color As an educator, she has developed 24 communications courses, mentored students through research initiatives, and implemented pathways to graduate school. Her professional engagement spans both academic leadership and intersectional analyses of media systems.

• Communication Studies
• Media Studies
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• +5 more