SMPA is a pioneering teaching and research leader. Professor Silvio Waisbord is Editor of the International Journal of Press/Politics, an interdisciplinary journal for the analysis and discussion of the role of the press and politics in a globalized world.
Students at our annual Communications Career Expo network with a CNN recruiter. SMPA helps students pursue rewarding careers in media, journalism, and communications via internships, networking events, and employment workshops.
Graduate student Rachel Weisel and Professor Kimberly Gross, in partnership with the Project for Excellence in Journalism, studied how the media uses Twitter. Their findings were published in a groundbreaking report that garnered national press coverage.
Students line up outside GW's Lisner Auditorium before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speak at an event hosted by SMPA. The event was broadcast on CNN.
SMPA Faculty and staff use the flash studio for live and recorded professional programming.
Longtime political reporter and broadcaster Gwen Ifill of The Newshour with Jim Lehrer addresses students.
CNN's Christiane Amanpour and SMPA Director Frank Sesno interview five former U.S. Secretaries of State, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Warren Christopher, Henry A. Kissinger and James A. Baker III. The free event was sponsored by SMPA.
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Yesterday, The Washington Post published an enthusiastic feature highlighting the success of College & Cook, the new online food magazine created by SMPA sophomore Audrey Scagnelli. According to the article, the magazine has attracted almost 10,000 readers since its release a little more than one month ago.
Read the article on The Washington Post website.
Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Political Communication
Post Doctoral Research Fellowship in Political Communication at the School of Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University
September 2012-August 2013
This position is for a scholar who would work closely for one year on research projects with Robert Entman, Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs (and in 2012-2013 with Associate Professor Kimberly Gross). The position is designed for a recent recipient of the Ph.D. For 2012-13 the focus will be on public opinion effects of framing in traditional news media, hybrid formats such as “The Daily Show,” and online and social media including Twitter and Facebook with particular reference to healthcare policy and to inequality. The scholar selected may also have a chance to place questions on the Politico/George Washington University Battleground surveys.
The Fellow will devote three-four days per week to collaborative work with Professors Entman and Gross and the rest of the time to personal research projects. If he or she desires, the Fellow may also be able to teach one course during one seminar of residency. This position as Research Instructor at GW carries a $50,000 salary and comes with faculty benefits.
The person appointed must have a Ph.D. in communication, political science or a related discipline by August 1, 2011 and an excellent record of published research in political communication or a record suggesting great promise as demonstrated by scholarly works in progress and recommendations. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in quantitative content analysis. Background and training in experimental methods is highly desirable.
In order to be considered, send a C.V., writing samples, a 500-750 word proposal for personal research that might be carried out during the year at GW, and the names of three scholars who can be contacted for recommendations to: Professor Robert Entman, School of Media and Public Affairs, Suite 400, 805 21st Street NW, Washington DC 20052. Review of applications will begin on April 15, 2012.
An internationally recognized center for research and teaching in political and international communication, The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program based in the heart of Washington, D.C., where media, public affairs and politics intersect. We offer two undergraduate majors (journalism/mass communication and political communication) as well as an MA degree in media and public affairs. We also offer an MA degree in Global Communication jointly with the Elliot School of International Affairs. More information on the School can be found at http://smpa.gwu.edu/.
The George Washington University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
The School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University seeks a leading journalist and educator to advance the school’s commitment to preparing students for our diverse and multi-platform media environment. This is a full-time, non-tenure-accruing, fixed-term, renewable faculty position offered at the rank of assistant or associate professor, rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience and body of work. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field, professional experience in nationally recognized print/broadcast/online media outlets, multi-media competency, and a proven agenda of continuing practice and/or research as demonstrated by publications or works in progress. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree or higher in journalism or a related field; communication skills consistent with excellent teaching, mentoring and motivating students from a broad range of cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds; and teaching and professional experience in more than one of the following fields: print, broadcast, digital media production, online reporting and engagement, and entrepreneurial journalism.
Application Procedure: Send curriculum vita, samples of professional work, a statement of current and future practice or research interests, a statement of teaching philosophy, and three letters of recommendation (sent directly by references) to Albert L. May, Journalism Search Committee Chairman, School of Media and Public Affairs, 805 21st Street, N.W. Suite 400, Washington, DC 20052. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin April 9th, 2012 and continue until the position is filled.
An internationally recognized center for research and teaching in political and international communication, The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program based in the heart of Washington, D.C., where media, public affairs and politics intersect. We offer two undergraduate majors (journalism/mass communication and political communication) as well as a MA degree in media and public affairs. We also offer a MA degree in Global Communication jointly with the Elliot School of International Affairs. More information on the School can be found at http://smpa.gwu.edu/.
The George Washington University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The university and department have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among the faculty. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from underrepresented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply.
I Am, a documentary short created by junior Sara Snyder (PCM '13) and SMPA alumnus Stephen Molldrem (PCM '11) has been selected to be screened at the 2012 Undergraduate Ethics Symposium at DePauw University.
Students from across the country were invited to submit their work to the symposium, and Snyder has been chosen as one of only 30 students to attend the symposium to showcase the film. I Am explores gender identity, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ culture. It previously was screened at GW's Transnational Queer Film Studies Symposium.
Watch the documentary short below.
The Alliance for Women in Media has announced the 2012 local, online, public and student winners of their annual Gracie Awards. Among those winners is SMPA senior Haley Lesavoy (JMC '12).
Haley won her Gracie Award in the category of "Outstanding Host - Entertainment/Information" for her work as host of the GWTV show "Select Seven," which highlights the seven best music videos of the week. This is her third Grace Award win—her first was for a piece she helped produce in conjunction with Planet Forward and her second was for best investigative report during a broadcast.
The Gracies recognize programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media, as well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry.
SMPA Professor Albert May and fellow GW professor Christopher Arterton have written a chapter in the new book Citizen 2.0: Public and Governmental Interaction through Web 2.0 Technologies. Their chapter, entitled "Congress 2.0: Incumbent Messaging in Social Media," explores how social media technologies affect the interaction between Congress and the American people.
Through their research, Professors May and Arterton discovered that the success of the social media channels of individual Congress members depends on a number of factors, most significantly party affiliation and ideology. Most notably, they found that the more ideologically extreme the member of Congress, the bigger the audience that member attracted.
They also assert that social media has the potential to be a revolutionary force in our democracy. "Just as C-SPAN engaged a new audience of citizens in the 1980s," they argue, "social media has the potential to create another breed of congressional junkies and engaged citizens."
Citizen 2.0 is available for purchase online.
Watch below as Professor May discusses his research regarding Congressional social media use.
The School of Media and Public Affairs recently announced a unique opportunity to support SMPA students and honor two of our legendary faculty members who are retiring this year.
Named for Jarol Manheim, who literally wrote the book on strategic communication and led the development of the political communication major at GW, and Chris Sterling, who with his booming voice and deep research on radio brought media history to life, we have created the Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Fund.
Through this fund, we will award two Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prizes each year. One will go to a promising political communication student, the other to a journalism/mass communication major. The awards will allow these students to collaborate with a faculty member, travel for research or reporting projects, or attend events to present a paper or project.
We hope you will consider this opportunity when making decisions about your philanthropy.
You may make your contribution by clicking here, or you may send a check payable to The George Washington University with “SMPA” in the memo line by mail to:
GW School of Media and Public Affairs
Attention: Laura Frugé
805 21st Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20052
Watch below as one of our fellowship recipients, Hadas Gold, discusses her experiences.
Win up to $4000 for an overseas reporting trip!
Are you interested in covering an under-reported international story and traveling to that part of the world to get the facts? Apply now for the 2011-2012 School of Media and Public Affairs/Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting International Reporting Fellowship. All SMPA undergraduates (including current seniors!) are now eligible to receive up to $4,000 to report on a story of your choice.
Our partner, The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, is interested in reporting projects that focus on topics and regions of global importance, with an emphasis on issues that have gone unreported or under-reported in the mainstream American media. They see great value in covering systemic crises like environmental issues and struggles for resources, human rights abuses, post-conflict reconstruction, or brewing ethnic tensions. They are interested in the stories that would typically not make the headlines without Pulitzer Center's support.
The Pulitzer Center staff will work with the Fellow to further refine the project and to offer distribution avenues via their online platforms. This could be your chance to be published by multiple news outlets!
Applicants must be a current SMPA undergraduate major as of February 2012. All travel should be completed by December 31, 2012.
Submit applications and questions via e-mail to sroberts@gwu.edu by Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Don't wait - apply today! A copy of the application form can be accessed by clicking here.
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Read the work of last year's fellow, Hadas Gold, who traveled to Argentina to investigate the lives of the cartoneros, or “cardboard pickers,” who make a living by collecting and selling recyclables. Watch Hadas describe her fellowship experience below.
SMPA alumnus Kim Hunter wrote in to tell us about her latest adventure...
SMPA alum Kim Hunter prepares for her multi-country trip. Photo courtesy of Kim Hunter
After a decade in the District, I've set off on a new adventure that will take me across three continents and more than 10 countries over the next 11 months. I came to Washington at 18 with the dream of working in politics and making the world a better place. With two degrees from George Washington University and stints flacking at the Democratic National Committee, Senator Jim Webb's office, and the anti-poverty advocacy group ONE, I leave D.C. inspired by a community of people dedicated to service in the name of others. With the current political paralysis, now seems like a good time to get out from behind my desk and see what people are doing outside the beltway to improve the lives of those not as fortunate.
At ONE, I discovered a passion for shining a light on the innovative, yet simple interventions that can lift a family out of poverty and give them hope, dignity, and a future that doesn't require hand outs to survive. On my trip, I hope to meet the people behind these efforts, see what it's actually like on-the-ground, and continue to shine a light by sharing my personal journey and their stories through my blog, Leaping into Life (leapingintolife.com), and on a few other sites. You can also follow me on Twitter at @LeapingIntoLife for 140 character musings, pictures, and travel tips from on the road.
I've just arrived in Bogota, Columbia, after a couple of weeks of learning Spanish in Costa Rica and living with a local family. I'll be in South America for the next three months in Columbia, Peru, and Argentina for about a month at a time. Southeast Asia will be the next stop with two months (May, June) traveling overland through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. After SE Asia, I'm going to sub-Saharan Africa for two or three months (July, August, September) and will end my travels in India.
You are all world changers with expansive networks of people doing awesome things. I'd like to meet those people. I'm hoping you'll take a moment to think about the places I'll be visiting (see easy to read list below with tentative dates) and if you know anyone there or within a few degrees who you could introduce me, I'd really appreciate it. I'll be traveling alone so any friendly faces and/or advice would be welcome.
All my best,
Kim Hunter
SMPA Class of 2005, GSPM Class of 2007
khunter10@gmail.com
Twitter: @leapingintolife
Website: www.leapingintolife.com
Round the World Rundown
Costa Rica - January 13-30
Columbia - February
Peru - March
Argentina - April
Vietnam - May
Cambodia - late May/ early June
Thailand - June
Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia - July/ August
Uganda/ Others - August
India - September/ October
Greece (maybe)/ Home for the holidays - November
SMPA is fortunate to have a number of endowed scholarships, fellowships, and prizes. These funds allow donor support to live in perpetuity, providing opportunities for our students and faculty on a consistent annual basis. We are pleased to recognize our endowed funds:
William and Ramona Kummer Family Fund
Wilson Grand Communications Fund+
Kathryn Green Endowment Fund+
Owen Smoot and Elizabeth Browder-Nibley Fund
Steven and Eileen Farbman Fund
Dr. Walter R. Roberts Endowment+
Essary Prize
Allen Scholarship
Larry King Scholarship Fund
Shapiro Fellowship in Media and Public Affairs
Airlie Professorship
Stephen Holly Bronz Fund
Elberger Scholarship
Robert and Christine Staub Faculty Excellence Award
Richard Eaton Foundation Endowed Prize Fund+
+ Indicates that donor also made a current-use gift in 2011, in addition to their original endowment gift
~~~
The SMPA Honor Roll of Donors recognizes support designated for SMPA-specific programs and funds from GW alumni and friends between January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, we appreciate your contacting the SMPA Development Office at (202) 994-9169 or lauraf@gwu.edu to alert us of any issues or concerns.
Our Honor Roll of Donors:
Anonymous
The Elsie Carper Charitable Fund
Noblis, Inc.*
Rubicon Property
Steel Associates, LLC
Tawani Foundation*
Thomson Reuters
Tides Foundation
The Washington Press Club Foundation
White House Correspondents’ Association
Tracy T. Abriola BA 1989*
Emily M. Aden BA 2009
Deborah L. Albert BA 1983
Joshua Ira Altman BA 2010
Colby Anderson BA 2011
Christopher J. Avallone BA 2009
Steven J. Ball
Allison R. Barenbaum BA 1998
John G. Barth
Judith Baumel
Char Beales BA 1973, and J. Howard Beales, III
Herbert B. Berkowitz BA 1968
Charlotte M. Bigford BA 2010
Brooke Kidd Brander BA 2002
Berl M. Brechner BA 1968
Patricia Schlapo Brey BA 1982 and Michael P. Brey BS 1982
Wendy B. Bronfein BA 2002
Chris O. Brooks BA 2008, MS 2010
Adoracion Z. Camacho
Marian D. Carey
Ashley R. Carufel BA 2011
Paul W. Chemnick BA 1966, JD 1969
David H. Clark
Tara J. Connell BA 1971
Adam M. Coretz
Daniel A. Cronin
Daniel P. Curran
Stanley W. Dabrowski BA 1963
Helen Feldman Dalton MA 1983
Lauren Schwartz Danner BA 1990*
Richard D. Davis
Stefanie A. Desai BA 1999
Mark D. Dollins BA 1983*
Clark P. Dumont *
Maurice A. East
Nancy J. Ellin BA 1987
Harold E. Engle
Robert M. Entman
Erica L. Evans BA 2008, MS 2009
Nicholas A Fabiani BA 2011
Steven Andrew Farber BA 1991
Andrew B. Feldman BA 2011
Irwin S. Feldman BA 1961 and Marilyn J. Feldman BA 1966
Paul L. Feldman
J. Christian & Paula S. Fenger
Karen Marie Fincutter BA 1999*
Benjamin H. Fitch BA 2011
Thomas R. Flickinger
Anthony M. & Jamie L. Freedman MS 1997*
Laura M. Fruge
Robert Barry Fulton
Chloe A. Furfine BA 2011
Gerard M. Gert
Loren F. Ghiglione PhD 1976
Joseph A. Goldman BA 2011
Alan S. Goldman
Joseph A. Goldman
Ronald J. Goldwyn BA 1965
Kathryn Green BA 1977, and Edward M. Feigeles*
Kimberly A. Gross*
Jason S. Haber BA 1999 and Cory E. Skolnick BA 2000
Doris J. Hansen
Deborah Randolph Harrison BA 1977
Elizabeth S. Harrison BA 2004
Sarah E. Hoberman BA 2011
Carol A. Hodes BA 1974
Monica T. Holland BA 2005, JD 2008
Alexander D. Holt BA 2011
Tracey Horwich BA 1998*
Gary Hurewitz
Allison Hutchins BA 2008
Frederick Hutchins
Charles J. Ingoglia
Arthur S. Jaeger BA 1968
Christina Noel Juliano BA 1998
Harold D. Kahn BA 1972
David Kanevsky BA 2002
Justine S. Karp BA 2010
Alexander Z. Kellner BA 2008, MS 2009
Beth & Paul Kent
Genevieve M. Kermani BA 2011
Oriana M. Korin BA 2005, MA 2008
Michael Ira Krauthamer BBA 1994, MPA 1996
Arthur J. & Suzan Kremer
Carly M. Lagrotteria BA 2011
Dagny M. Leonard BA 2011
Jennifer Beth Lerner BA 2000
Rachel A. Lerner BBA 1997
Adam P. Levy BA 2008*
Michael & Symone Lewin
Lauren K. & Lawrence W. Life
Brenda & Paul F. Lilly
Amanda E. Lindner BA 2010
Sarah J. Lovenheim BA 2006
Claire I. Low BA 2009
Steven Lusk
Hadley D. Malcolm BA 2011
Morgan W. Manousos BA 2011
Ashley A. McDaniel BA 2011
Kelly D. McLaughlin BA 2005
Danielle M. Meister BA 2010
Wendy J. Merrill BA 1981
Sarah N. Mersky BA 2011
Stephen T. Molldrem BA 2011
John C. Mooney BA 2003
Michael J. & Marybeth Morsberger
Alexis C. Murray
Aaron E. Myers BA 2000
Marcia L. Newbert BA 2010
Leigh Ann Newman BA 1991
Madeleine Hammond O'Connor
Andrew J. Perez BA 2011
Sandra M. Perez BA 2009, MA 2011
Patrick Michael Preston BA 1999
Janice & Louis Provost
Rana M. Rahim
Olan R. & Veronica C. Reese
Joseph M. Rendeiro
Charles Riess & Melody Lesser
Corinne B. Roberts
Steven V. Roberts
Besse Rose BA 2004
Joshua Seth Rothstein BA 2003
Jessica Rubio
Mark E. Schleifstein BA 1975
Edward W. Scott, Jr.
Jonas R. Searle
Meredith P. Segal BA 2005, and Theodore Zellie Segal BA 2003*
Frank W. Sesno
Kristina Doris Sgueglia BA 2011
Joseph & Nancy Shanahan
Beverly T. Spadotto BA 1973*
Scott M. Spielberger BA 1992
Kent G. Springfield BA 2003
Christine & Robert Staub*
Edward B. Stautberg BA 2006
Cathryn F. Steel*
Estate of Lucille M. Stevens
Benjamin B. Sugarman BA 2009
Barbara L. Tesner*
Eric P. Thibault BA 2011
Andrew B. Trachtenberg BA 1975*
Paul J. Truntich AA 1956, BA 1958
Madeline V. Twomey BA 2011
Geoffrey H. Vincent BA 1974*
Lorraine A. Voles BA 1981
Karyn K. Walsh BA 1989
Deborah K. Watkins BA 1972
Frederic A. Weingarten
Kimberly R. Wertman BA 2011
Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton BA 2006
Paul O. Wilson
Thomas M. Young BA 1981
Jay L. & Linda Zwicker
* Indicates a consistent donor of three years or more
