About 

David Stephens is an Assistant Professor of Communication with a focus in Media Studies and joined the department in Fall 2020. His primary focus in is in the economics of social media, race, and popular culture. His dissertation analyzed the social media communication and representational strategies of fast food restaurants through the lens of three critical theories—postmodernism, affect theory and critical race theory. He finds that the shift towards provocative, self-aware online communication signals an anxiety about the threat social media poses towards corporations as it enhances the power of consumers. David comes to the field of communication and media studies by way of an interdisciplinary background in literature, film, and cultural studies. His work teaching ethnic studies and Black popular culture greatly informs his work as well

Education

Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
M.A., University of New Orleans
B.A., Alabama State University

Publications

 "Appearing to Disapppear: Blackness, Affect and the Political Imaginary" (under review: Camera Obscura)

"A Book With No Face: Citizen, Donald Trump and the Politics of Black Female Visibility," Feminist Media Histories: "Embodiment" (special issue) (expected publication date Spring 2021)

"Cookout Community: Memes and the Organization of Black Spaces Online' (ongoing)