Andrew Calabrese

Andrew Calabrese is a Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder, within the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information. He also serves as Director of Graduate Studies and has held leadership roles including Associate Dean during the transition from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to the current college structure. His academic home is deeply rooted in critical media studies, political economy, and communication policy.

His research centers on the interplay between media, citizenship, and democracy, with strong emphases on globalization, digital activism, communication rights, and the political economy of culture. He critically examines media policy at national and transnational levels, the role of media in social movements, and the impact of digital technologies on civil society and nonviolent protest. His recent work extends into media and food politics, exploring public knowledge, welfare, and risk.

Calabrese’s scholarly output is extensive and influential, with recent publications analyzing policy imperialism, the public-private divide in media, hegemony, and the role of media in justifying war. His work consistently engages with critical theory and social justice, focusing on power structures, corporate influence, and the erosion of public interest in communication systems.

• Donald McGannon Communication Policy Research Award (1991)
• Cellular One Communication Award (1988)
• Ohio State University Presidential Fellowship (1988)

He has supervised numerous PhD and MA students, secured research grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation and the CU Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement, and served as Series Editor for Critical Media Studies and North American Editor for Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies. He is actively involved in professional organizations and has organized major international colloquia on communication rights and global governance.

Calabrese has also been a prolific contributor to academic discourse through editorial work, serving on the boards of Javnost /The Public, Television and New Media, and Global Media Journal: Mediterranean Edition. His outreach includes expert reports for public interest organizations and international media institutions.