Can you engage people in the scholarly pursuits of faculty and build community at the same time? “Challenge Accepted!” said the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) and American University School of Communication (AU SOC) Dean’s Office, and launched the new SOC Professors Doing Awesome (PDA) faculty spotlight talk and lunch series to do just that.

SOC’s professors are doing amazing things all over the world, making an impact through their books, research, films, photo exhibits, journalism, media festivals, and so much more. Who are they and how do they do what they do? The SOC PDA spotlight lunchtime series gives the floor to an amazing professor showcasing their latest work each month, followed by a one-on-one interview with CMSI Director Caty Borum and, of course, questions and feedback from the audience. 60-second dance breaks and free pizza round out the experience and remind you this is not your mother’s research presentation.

Dr. Natalie Hopkinson (aka Dr. Go-Go), SOC Associate Professor of Journalism, kicked off the series. As the co-founder of the Don’t Mute DC movement to protect go-go, DC's indigenous funk sound, she co-led a coalition of scholars, activists and artists that successfully advocated for DC Law 23-51 Go-Go Official Music of the District of Columbia Act. She explained how she came to this area of research into freedom of speech and expression and the criminalization of music and highlighted her involvement in DC’s new Go-Go Museum, which is slated to open in 2024. 

“This is an opportunity to participate in Public Displays of Admiration (PDA) for dynamic communication faculty members who are making a real change in the world–and to share with students, prospective students, and colleagues all over campus,” said SOC Interim Dean Leena Jayaswal.

The next event in the series will be held on November 29 and will highlight the work of professor Kurt Braddock. “He Said What?!” will look at the real-world implications of public figures “joking” about using violence against political opponents. Reserve your seat (and pizza!) today!