People
Richard T. Craig
Faculty Founder
(Pop Culture Studies Lab Lead Research Faculty)
Current Position: Associate Professor – Department of Communication, George Mason University
Background:
PhD, Mass Communication/Media Studies, Howard University, 2011
M.A., Telecommunications Management, Michigan State University, 2002
B.A., Journalism, Olivet College, 1999
Research interests:
His research centers on mass media political economy; addressing the production, distribution and consumption of media content. He takes particular interest in exploring the social structure/struggle embedded in media production and interpreted in media consumption. His goal is to use research to influence the development of policy to enhance opportunities for media production and distribution by marginalized cultures.
Aayushi Hingle Ph.D. (She/Her)
Pop Culture Studies Lab Director
Co-founding Member
Current position: Professor in the Communication Studies Department at Montgomery College in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Background:
PhD, Instructional, Health and Intercultural Communication (2023), George Mason University
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (2019), California State University, Los Angeles
MA, Communication Studies (2017), California State University, Los Angeles
BA, Public Health (2013), California State University, Los Angeles
Research Interests:
I have a variety of research interests in the pop culture space and some of them include, exploring the intersections of identity and representation in TV shows, comics and movies. I am excited about how open the space of pop culture is and how all of us can find a place to resonate and this is where much of my research stems from pop culture.
Em Kohl (they/them)
Co-Founder, and Coordinator for Interdisciplinary Innovation
Current position: Ph.D. student in Communication and Graduate Researcher at George Mason Climate Change Communication Center (4C)
Background:
M.A. Communication and Advocacy (2019), James Madison University
B.A. English (2016), James Madison University
Research interests:
Broadly, I’m interested in the way we use storytelling to build understanding and negotiate meaning, particularly when it comes to issues related to social and climate justice. Right now, I’m specifically interested in how popular stories (across all modes of pop culture) are a way for us to process the rate of cultural and environmental change, think though our futures, and remember our pasts.
Xavier Clark, Ph.D.
Current position: Interim Director
Background:
Ph.D. in Communication (Strategic and Health) from George Mason University (2023)
Certificate in Applied DEI Strategies from Brown University (2023)
Certified Culture Facilitator, Veritas Culture (2023)
Certified Diversity to Belonging Facilitator, Veritas Culture (2023)
Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from George Mason University (2018)
Bachelor of Science in Political Communication from the University of Texas at Austin (2016)
Research interests: Dr. Clark's research spans CRT, structuration theory, organizational communication, organizational health, well-being, DEIA, luxury fashion, minoritizedadvocacy, and respectability politics. He focuses on the power dynamics and systemic structures that shape organizational and social environments, aiming to inform policies that promote inclusivity, equity, and well-being
Jordan Lear
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Current position: Ph.D. student in Communication
Background:
M.A., Communication, George Mason University, 2023
B.A., Communication, George Mason University, 2022
Research interests:
My research interests include a little bit of everything. I enjoy exploring anything to do with pop culture and media. I love to explore things from an intersectional point of view and often engage feminist and critical race theories in my work. I also enjoy looking at health communication and seeing ways in which pop culture and social media influence health behaviors. If there’s a way to tie pop culture into one of my class research projects, you can bet I’m going to take that opportunity!