Kembrew McLeod

Kembrew McLeod is a Professor of Communication Studies and Department Chair at the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is also an independent documentary producer, author, and scholar focusing on media history, intellectual property law, and cultural studies. McLeod’s work bridges academia and activism, particularly in exploring the intersections of copyright law, digital sampling, and artistic freedom. He has produced acclaimed films like Copyright Criminals (2009) and Money For Nothing (2002), which examine hip-hop’s sampling culture and intellectual property conflicts. His research has been recognized with awards such as the Oboler Award (2006) and NEH Public Scholar Fellowship (2015).

McLeod earned a PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His research interests include media history, cultural studies, pranksterism, and the socio-legal dimensions of intellectual property. He has authored influential books like Freedom of Expression®: Resistance and Repression in the Age of Intellectual Property (2007) and Pranksters: Making Mischief in the Modern World (2013), which explores the role of pranks in social critique. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Times, and Village Voice.

Recent scholarship focuses on misinformation in digital media, media pranks as political tools, and the evolving landscape of copyright law. McLeod’s work often advocates for fair use and challenges corporate monopolies in creative industries. He has been a vocal critic of overreach in intellectual property regimes, emphasizing creativity’s reliance on cultural borrowing.

Awards and Recognition:

• Michael J. Brody Award (2020)
• NEH Public Scholar Fellowship (2015)
• Oboler Award for Best Intellectual Freedom Scholarship (2006)
• Rosa Luxemburg Award (2002)

Advising and Grants: McLeod advises graduate students in Communication Studies, focusing on media law, cultural studies, and documentary production. His research has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the University of Iowa.