Susan Schmidt Horning

Susan Schmidt Horning is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at St. John's University, part of the St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She specializes in 20th-century US cultural and technological history, with a focus on sound studies and music technology. Her research explores the intersection of technology and creativity in recording studios, as detailed in her book Chasing Sound (2013). She has held grants from the National Science Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities, and her work bridges her academic career with her earlier life as a rock musician and band member in bands like The Poor Girls and Chi-Pig.

Dr. Horning's education includes a PhD from Case Western Reserve University (2002), an MA from the University of Akron (1992), and a BA from the University of Akron (1990). She teaches courses on postwar US history, technology, media, and global history. Her research and publications emphasize the cultural implications of recording technology, gender roles in music industries, and independent studio innovations.

Her recent work includes studies on all-female rock bands in the 1960s and the role of women in sound engineering. She has presented globally at conferences like the Society for the History of Technology and the International Committee for the History of Technology. Her articles span topics from studio design to the history of rock and roll museums.

Awards and grants have supported her exploration of sound recording's cultural impact. She is affiliated with the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, where her interviews with recording engineers are archived. Dr. Horning's academic contributions blend her dual passions for history and music, offering unique insights into technology's role in shaping cultural narratives.