Research

Right now I'm working on a book manuscript entitled, Media Capital: The Cultural Geography of Globalization. In it I theorize factors that enable particular cities to emerge as centers of media activity during the global era. In particular, I point to 1) logics of accumulation, 2) trajectories of creative migration, and 3) forces of socio-cultural variation as a set of dynamic influences that interact at particular locations under specific historical conditions. Cultural geographies of media capital can offer an innovative approach to the study of media globalization, one that moves beyond national models of analysis that have prevailed for over a century. Media Capital furthermore compares the histories and fortunes of such cities as Hollywood, Hong Kong, Lagos, Miami, and Bombay, showing how the above principles help to explain the conditions under which media institutions tend to flourish. My teaching interests include cultural theory, globalization, media history, media industries, new media, and documentary. I’m also director of the Global Studies program, which is a federally-funded national resource center for international studies. We stage conferences, lectures, and other events, and promote curriculum development concerning global trends and issues.