François Bar

François Bar is a Professor of Communication and Spatial Sciences at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He currently serves as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and holds roles in several research initiatives, including the Annenberg Innovation Lab and the Annenberg Research Network on International Communication. His work focuses on the social and economic impacts of information technologies, particularly in telecommunication policy, user-driven innovation, and technology appropriation.

Bar’s research explores technology’s role in fostering economic, social, and cultural development in diverse contexts, from East Africa and Latin America to South Los Angeles. Notable projects include studies on digital placemaking in urban environments, participatory design for marginalized communities (e.g., Skid Row initiatives), and ICT aid flows between China and African nations. His recent work emphasizes community-academic partnerships to address challenges like pandemic response and energy access disparities.

His publications span journals such as Convergence, Mobile Media & Communication, and International Journal of Communication, reflecting a focus on technology’s societal implications. He is affiliated with the Institute for Difference and Empowerment in the Arts and the Media, Economics & Entrepreneurship program, furthering interdisciplinary collaborations.