Jerrica Ty Rowlett serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication and Language Studies within the College of Arts and Sciences at Bryant University, where she examines digital communication's societal implications through research and teaching in digital culture and social media dynamics. Education Ph.D., Florida State University M.A., Clemson University B.A., Georgetown College Her research program investigates identity formation, civic engagement, and digital inequity through critical analysis of social media platforms. She explores how digital environments shape interpersonal relationships, political discourse, and community building while addressing power dynamics in online spaces, with particular attention to abusive contexts, gender representation, and emotional experiences. Analysis of her publication record (2015-2024) reveals a consistent trajectory examining social media's evolving societal impact. Early work focused on educational applications and youth culture, progressing to sophisticated analyses of political meme culture, relationship dissolution in abusive contexts, and emotional contagion online. Her scholarship demonstrates increasing attention to social justice dimensions within digital communication. Scientific Awards No awards documented in current sources Advising and Grants Student advising details and research grant information are not specified in available materials, though her extensive publication record indicates active scholarly mentorship and research productivity. Labs and Teams No dedicated research laboratories or formal collaborative teams are mentioned in the provided information.
Emre Caglayan is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Film Studies at the American University of Paris (AUP). He holds a PhD in Film Studies from the University of Kent (2014) and an MA in Film and Television from Istanbul Bilgi University (2009). His research focuses on global art cinema, slow cinema aesthetics, and the intersection of cinematic form with embodied experiences like walking. Caglayan’s work explores how cinema shapes lived experiences through close analyses of film texts and their cultural contexts. Key research interests include the affective qualities of film sound, urban space representations, and ethical dimensions of political filmmaking. His monograph Poetics of Slow Cinema: Nostalgia, Absurdism, Boredom (Palgrave, 2018) is a seminal work in slow cinema studies. He currently investigates walking as an artistic practice linked to cinema, curating film seasons and designing participatory walking activities. Caglayan teaches courses on film theory, international cinema, and cinematic history at AUP. His work has been published in journals like Quarterly Review of Film and Video , Projections , and Jump Cut , with recent contributions on Turkish cinema and film/music intersections.
Alison Landsberg is a Professor at George Mason University, affiliated with the Department of History and Art History and the Cultural Studies PhD program. Her research focuses on the politics of memory, affective engagements with the past, visual culture, and the intersections of race, aesthetics, and history. A leading scholar in memory studies, she explores how mass media and popular culture shape historical consciousness and political subjectivity. Her seminal works include *Prosthetic Memory* (2004) and *Engaging the Past* (2015), which analyze how mediated experiences of history foster empathy and progressive politics. Landsberg’s interdisciplinary work bridges film studies, cultural theory, and historiography. She examines how audiovisual media—from films to immersive digital exhibits—produce alternative historical narratives that challenge traditional academic historiography. Her current project, *Impossible Histories*, critiques conventional ‘historicism’ and explores counterhegemonic modes of historical representation. Her teaching spans courses on historical cinema, visual culture, and the politics of memory. She has advised over 20 doctoral students, many of whom explore topics like public history, digital memory, and cultural activism. Landsberg is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences and has contributed to NPR’s *On the Media* and *The American Scholar* on topics ranging from racial representation to post-postracial America. Landsberg’s research emphasizes the urgency of rethinking historical engagement in an era of fragmented media and contested identities. Her work underscores the ethical and political stakes of how societies remember—and forget—the past.
Alexey Vladimirovich Vdovin is a Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), working within the Faculty of Humanities and School of Philological Sciences. He began his tenure at HSE in 2012 and has accumulated 15 years of scientific and teaching experience. His academic journey includes a Doctor of Philology degree from HSE (2023), a PhD from the University of Tartu (2011), and his initial degree in 'Russian language and literature' from Vyatka State Humanitarian University (2007). He has held significant roles including Deputy Dean for Science at the Faculty of Humanities (2018-2020) and serves on numerous academic councils and committees. Vdovin's educational background demonstrates both depth and international perspective. After completing his undergraduate studies at Vyatka State Humanitarian University in 2007, he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Tartu, where he earned his PhD in 2011 with a dissertation on 'The concept of 'chapter of literature' in Russian criticism of the 1830-1860s.' His academic development has been enriched by numerous international experiences, including visiting researcher positions at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge (2019), Jordan Center at New York University (2017), and multiple research stays at Humboldt University in Berlin through the Aurora Erasmus Mundus program. Professor Vdovin's research focuses on Russian intellectual history, the history of ideas, the Russian Empire, Russian literature of the 19th century, and nationalism studies. His work particularly examines the formation of the Russian literary canon, representations of peasants in literature, and the relationship between literature and society. He has authored approximately 80 articles and 4 monographs on 19th-century Russian literature, culture, and criticism, with works on major figures like Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Goncharov, Belinsky, Chernyshevsky, Dobrolyubov, and Nekrasov. His recent book 'Monsters at the Threshold: Dracula, Frankenstein, Viy and Other Literary Monsters' (2024) demonstrates his expanding interest in literary archetypes and cultural phenomena. Vdovin has received numerous awards and recognitions for his scholarly work, including the Moscow Government Prize for young scientists (2017), multiple 'Best Teacher' awards (2013-2015, 2017-2024), and recognition as a winner of HSE's competition for best Russian-language scientific works (2022, 2024). He has also received various letters of gratitude from HSE administration, the Faculty of Humanities, and the School of Philology for his contributions to academic life. As an advisor, Vdovin has supervised numerous student research projects, including Smirnova T.V.'s 2014 master's thesis on 'Representation of 'Russianness' and 'Otherness' in Russian essays of the 1840s.' He has also served as a curator for HSE's Personnel Reserve Program at the School of Philological Sciences and has been actively involved in dissertation councils. His research has been supported by significant grants, including a 2024-2025 Russian Science Foundation grant 'The Genre of 'Peasant Life Story' in Russian Literature Before 1861: Poetics, Plots, Socio-Cultural Functions' (No 24-28-00184) and a 2018-2020 RFBR grant on 'State and Literary Institutions: From Peter I's Reforms to the 'Great Reforms.' Professor Vdovin is actively engaged in academic communities beyond HSE, serving as editor-in-chief of the HSE preprint series 'Literary Studies' and participating in the Big Project 'Literature and Society: An Experience of Sociocultural Description.' He is also involved in public scholarship, frequently giving public lectures through platforms like 'Arzamas,' 'Postnauka,' and 'Stradarium,' and appearing on the 'Observer' television program (Culture channel). Since 2015, he has been a mentor at Maya Kucherskaya's Creative Writing School, bridging academic scholarship with creative practice.
Annette Jolles is a distinguished Lecturer with a prolific career in theater and television direction, production, and arts management. She has received 22 Emmy Awards and is affiliated with organizations such as Live From Lincoln Center, PBS, The Little Orchestra Society, and Portland Stage Company. Her work spans symphonic concerts, operatic productions, and Off-Broadway premieres, including collaborations with renowned artists like Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom, Jr. She is a founding partner of KTW Productions and has led projects like Keeping the Word and The Handshake . Her educational contributions include residencies with The Little Orchestra Society and collaborations with institutions like the York Theatre Company and Portland Stage Company. Upcoming projects include directing the world premiere of Madeleines (2022 National Jewish Plays Contest winner) in 2025. Key Productions: Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts, PBS's Stars on Stage , Symphony Space's Wall to Wall Bernstein , and Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival. Operatic Works: Directed Così fan tutte (Alice Tully Hall), The Singing Heart (David Geffen Hall), and John Luther Adams’ In the Name of the Earth . Awards: 22 Emmy Awards. Grants & Labs: Produced over 50 programs at NYC's Symphony Space, including Project Broadway and gala concerts of Pippin and Cabaret .
Ying Xu is an Assistant Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), specializing in the design of AI technologies to support children's language, literacy, STEM learning, and well-being. Her research emphasizes creating AI systems that act as interactive learning companions and language partners for children while fostering human-AI collaboration with educators and families. She holds a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Technology from the University of California, Irvine, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan from 2022 to 2024. Her work focuses on understanding how AI can complement human interactions, particularly through conversational agents integrated into media like books and educational TV programs. Collaborations include partnerships with PBS KIDS, GBH Education, and Sesame Workshop. Funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and Schmidt Futures, her research bridges developmental psychology, education, and human-computer interaction. Xu's studies highlight AI's potential for personalized learning while addressing ethical considerations like AI literacy and social impact. Key achievements include numerous best paper awards and recognition as an Early Career Interdisciplinary Scholar by SRCD. Her interdisciplinary approach involves designing technologies that reflect community values and linguistic/cultural diversity, ensuring equitable access to AI-driven educational tools. Xu advocates for balanced AI integration in children's lives, emphasizing the need for transparency about AI's limitations and the importance of maintaining human connections. She explores how AI can empower stakeholders (e.g., educators, parents) to co-create technologies tailored to their needs, ensuring AI serves as a complement—not replacement—for human interaction. Current projects investigate conversational AI's design principles, children's perceptions of AI, and strategies for fostering critical evaluation of AI-generated content. She also examines how AI affects social interactions and developmental processes, advocating for ethical guidelines to maximize benefits while mitigating risks.
Faye Ginsburg is the David B. Kriser Professor of Anthropology at New York University (NYU), affiliated with the College of Arts & Science. Her work focuses on social anthropology, ethnographic film, media studies, indigenous media, and disability. She holds a Ph.D. from CUNY (1986) and a B.A. from Barnard College (1976). Research interests include global media dynamics, disability studies, and indigenous sovereignty. She co-edited pivotal works like *Media Worlds: Anthropology on New Terrain* (2002) and *Disability Worlds* (2024). Recent publications address disability in the digital age, indigenous media sovereignty, and reproductive politics. Awards include the 2025 American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership and the 2025 CUNY President's Distinguished Alumni Award. She directs NYU’s Graduate Certificate Program in Culture and Media and co-founded the NYU Council for the Study of Disability. Her grants include NEH funding for disability research and leadership roles at the Center for Religion and Media. Key initiatives include SKILLS transition program for NYC youth with learning disabilities and collaborations with global media festivals (e.g., Margaret Mead Film Festival). Her interdisciplinary work bridges academia, activism, and media practice.
Rebecca Blatt is the Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Practice at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University (ASU). She oversees master's program recruitment, curriculum, retention, and signature programs like Cronkite News and Carnegie-Knight News21. Previously, she led the Cronkite News Digital Production Bureau and directed the Cronkite Public Insight Network Bureau, which earned the ASU President’s Award for Innovation. Her expertise spans multimedia storytelling, data visualization, and audience engagement, with a focus on preparing students for evolving journalism landscapes. Education: M.B.A., American University’s Kogod School of Business M.A. in Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bachelor’s degree, University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa) Research & Leadership: Blatt’s work emphasizes innovation in journalism education and community engagement. She has held roles at NPR and WAMU 88.5 FM, producing award-winning documentaries and event coverage. Her curriculum development integrates reporting, entrepreneurship, and cross-platform collaboration. Awards: ASU President’s Award for Innovation (2016) Honors from Radio Television Digital News Association, Education Writers Association, and New York Festivals Radio Awards Teaching: Courses include principles of journalism, practicum, and applied projects, reflecting her commitment to practical skills and industry relevance.
Yuuko Uchikoshi Tonkovich is a Professor at the School of Education, University of California, Davis, where she has served since 2004, advancing from Assistant to Associate and then to full Professor. Her work centers on language and literacy development in young dual language learners, with a focus on bilingualism, early literacy, and the role of family and media in language acquisition. Her research interests include: Early Childhood Development Multilingual Learners and Bilingual Education Language Acquisition and Literacy Parent-Child Interaction and Home Language Environment Quantitative Analysis of Educational Outcomes Educational Television and Multimedia Her recent publications span topics such as cognitive distancing in parent-child reading, morphological awareness in bilingual readers, and the impact of teacher language use in multilingual classrooms. The research consistently emphasizes longitudinal, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary approaches, particularly focusing on Chinese American and Mexican American immigrant families. Her scientific awards include: AERA Vocabulary SIG Notable Vocabulary Researcher Award (2025) Foundation for Child Development Young Scholars Program Grant International Reading Association Dissertation Fellowship and Finalist Award Harvard Graduate School of Education Fellowships She has advised numerous research projects and secured significant funding from NIH/NICHD, the Foundation for Child Development, and other organizations. She teaches courses such as Language Development, Early Literacy, and Research on Text Comprehension. She is actively involved in national initiatives, serving on the Technical Advisory Group for the First 5 California Dual Language Learner Study and as Associate Editor of Applied Psycholinguistics . She leads the Language & Literacy Development Lab at UC Davis, which investigates the cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development of dual language learners.
Hsiu-Chuang Deppman is a Professor of Chinese and Cinema and Media at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds positions in both the East Asian Studies and Cinema and Media departments. Currently on leave for the 2024-25 academic year, her research focuses on film adaptation, Chinese cinema history, and comparative literature. She has published extensively, including books like Close-ups and Long Shots in Modern Chinese Cinemas (2021) and Adapted for the Screen (2010). Deppman earned her PhD (1999) and MA (1993) in Chinese Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BA (1990) from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. Her research interests span: Adaptation Studies History of Chinese Cinema Documentary and Media Studies Contemporary Chinese Fiction Comparative Literature Awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching Award, she has also received grants and fellowships including the Fulbright Research Grant, Taiwan National Science Council Grant, and Freeman Foundation Grant for Asian Studies, among others. In addition to her research, Deppman teaches courses such as Contemporary East Asian Cinema and Intermediate Chinese I . Her work has been supported by the GLCA/Mellon New Directions Initiative and the Chiu Scholarly Exchange Program for Taiwan Studies. Her current project involves writing a book on Jia Zhangke’s cinema of reflection, reflecting her ongoing engagement with modern Chinese cinematic narratives.
Lenny Williams is a Professor in the Screen Scoring department within the Professional Writing and Music Technology school at Berklee College of Music. With over 1,000 broadcast hours scored for major networks including National Geographic, PBS, A&E, and Netflix, he brings extensive industry experience to his academic role. His educational background includes: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Composition from The Peabody Conservatory of Music (1983) Williams specializes in non-fiction television scoring across wildlife documentaries, historical programming, and political satire. He emphasizes daily compositional practice and creativity under deadline pressure, teaching students to refine their unique artistic voice while meeting industry demands. His methodology focuses on transforming idea generation into efficient execution for professional media environments. His exceptional career has earned significant recognition: Six Emmy Awards with twelve nominations Five BMI Awards Contributions to Grammy-winning recordings RIAA Gold/Platinum and 10 U.K. Gold Records Prestigious festival wins including Jackson Hole (2007) and Wildscreen (2008) As an educator, Williams mentors screen scoring students using real-world experience from collaborations with National Geographic, Eva Cassidy, and The Capitol Steps. He prepares composers for industry challenges by cultivating disciplined creative habits, collaborative skills, and passion-driven artistry essential for success in film and media music careers.
Natalie T. Wood, PhD (Auburn University, 2002), is a Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean at Saint Joseph’s University’s Haub School of Business. Her expertise spans consumer behavior and social media marketing, with a focus on digital engagement and virtual environments. PhD, Auburn University (2002) GradDip in Marketing, Edith Cowan University (1999) BBus in Marketing, Edith Cowan University (1996) Her research explores social media’s influence on consumer trends, political marketing, themed hospitality authenticity, and virtual education. Key journals include Journal of Consumer Behaviour and Business Horizons . Recent publications analyze microblogging’s role in customer service and brand promotion. Notable awards: Saint Joseph’s University Faculty Merit Award for Teaching (2013) and Research (2007). Grants from Arrupe Center (2019) and Direct Selling Education Foundation (2010-2011) highlight her funded work. Professional roles include Assistant Director, Center for Consumer Research (2007-2011).
Raymond Boyle is a Professor of Communications (Theatre, Film & Television Studies) at the University of Glasgow, where he directs the Centre for Cultural Policy Research (CCPR). He holds a BA in Media Studies and History from the University of Ulster and an MA in Communications from Dublin City University. Previously, he taught at Glasgow Caledonian University and Stirling University before joining CCPR in 2007. His research focuses on media policy, cultural policy, and sports media, with particular attention to digital media's impact on television, sports journalism, and cultural intermediaries. Notable projects include studies of the UK Film Council, the Commonwealth Games 2014, and UEFA's Football Management programs. He has authored/co-authored books such as The Talent Industry: Television, Cultural Intermediaries and New Digital Pathways (2018) and edited volumes like Changing Sports Journalism Practice in the Age of Digital Media (2019). Boyle serves on the editorial boards of Media, Culture and Society and collaborates with institutions like UEFA. His work bridges academic research with consultancy, addressing media rights, sport governance, and public policy. Grants include AHRC-funded projects on UK film policy transitions and copyright issues in European football media rights. Teaching includes the MSc Media Management program. He has delivered keynote addresses on media digitization, sport and identity, and participated in public discussions on topics like FC Barcelona's cultural impact and Scottish media engagement.
Morgan Wait is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Level I in the School of History at University College Dublin. She is currently working on the ERC-funded DIASPORA project, focusing on the history of drug use in late 20th-century Ireland. Her research centers on social history, with a strong emphasis on media, gender, and sexuality in modern Ireland. Education: PhD in History, Trinity College Dublin (2022) M.Phil in Modern Irish History, Trinity College Dublin BA in History, English, and Political Science, Salisbury University Her research interests lie at the intersection of media history and gender studies, particularly in the context of Irish public broadcasting. She has published extensively on women’s programming at Teilifís Éireann and institutional practices such as the marriage bar. Her work reconstructs marginalized media narratives using archival and press sources. Morgan’s recent publications show a consistent focus on Irish television history, gender representation, and cultural policy. Her articles analyze programming content, institutional discrimination, and public discourse, reflecting a deep engagement with both academic and public history. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Morgan has contributed to significant research projects and is currently working on a forthcoming monograph, Rediscovering Women in Early Irish Television , under contract with Liverpool University Press. While no formal advisees are listed, her collaborative publications indicate active participation in scholarly networks. She is affiliated with the DIASPORA research team at UCD and contributes to public scholarship through RTÉ Brainstorm and online academic blogs.
Peter W. Klein is an Emmy Award-winning full professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Journalism, Writing, and Media within the Faculty of Arts. He founded the UBC Global Reporting Centre and served as director of the school from 2011 to 2015. Klein also holds an affiliation as a faculty associate at the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. He runs the Global Reporting Program, a year-long course that works with master's journalism students from UBC and other universities worldwide. Klein's research focuses on Global Journalism, Innovation in Journalism, Documentary Production, and Investigative Reporting. His work emphasizes collaborative international reporting frameworks, solutions-focused empowerment journalism, and the ethical dimensions of global reporting practices. He has developed long-term investigative projects like Hidden Costs, which examines the hidden costs of global commerce through data, field reporting, academic research, and artistic exhibits. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on international reporting practices, fixer-journalist relationships, data journalism, and environmental investigations. The articles reveal a career-long commitment to investigative methodologies with emphasis on cross-border collaboration, ethical reporting frameworks, and innovative storytelling approaches that bridge journalism with academic research. Emmy Award for Best Investigation (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) Sigma Delta Chi award Edward R. Murrow award Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism fellowship Ochberg Fellow at Columbia University's Dart Center 2011 UBC President's Award for Public Education through Media Klein has supervised numerous student-led investigative projects through the International Reporting Program and Global Reporting Program, working with news organizations including The New York Times, Toronto Star, The Guardian, PBS Frontline, Vice News and Al Jazeera. His research projects have received funding from SSHRC and CIHR, including the Hidden Costs initiative and Million Dollar Meds project. He has also collaborated with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies on solutions-focused empowerment journalism projects.
