The Official Newsletter for the Media Ecology Association

      

APRIL 2025

Springing into April with MEA News and Milestones

As the seasons shift, so too does the rhythm of our work—and the Media Ecology Association has much to celebrate this month. In this issue, we’re excited to share a new book release from one of our members, recognize an academic promotion, and recap the engaging panels and conversations that took place at the recent Eastern Communication Association conference. From scholarly achievements to meaningful gatherings, it’s clear that media ecology continues to grow in depth and reach.

Read on to catch up, celebrate, and stay connected with the latest from the MEA community.


--Tiffany Petricini

    MEA 2025 Convention Updates

    Don’t Forget to Register for the MEA 2025 Convention!

    The Media Ecology Association’s 2025 Convention is just around the corner, taking place June 5–8 at Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City. If you haven’t already, now is the time to register and secure your place among scholars, educators, and practitioners exploring media ecology in all its forms.

    In addition to the main conference events, we’re excited to offer two optional cultural tours—spaces are limited, and payment is due by May 1, 2025.

    Optional Tours

    Teotihuacán Pyramids

    • Date: June 4 at 9:00 AM

    • Cost: $110 USD

    • Includes: Transportation, guided tour, and lunch at the traditional restaurant La Gruta

    • Payment Deadline: May 1, 2025

    • Send payment receipt to: MEA2025@up.edu.mx

    Frida Kahlo Museum and Coyoacán Tour

    • Date: June 6 at 3:45 PM

    • Cost: $70 USD

    • Includes: Guided visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum and other iconic locations in Coyoacán

    • Payment Deadline: May 1, 2025

    • Send payment receipt to: MEA2025@up.edu.mx

    Tours are non-exchangeable and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

    For registration details, visit the MEA Convention website.

      MEA at ECA:  A Recap

      The Media Ecology Association was proud to sponsor a robust series of sessions at the Eastern Communication Association’s Annual Convention, held March 26–30, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. MEA’s presence at ECA reflected the vibrancy of our field, with scholars exploring the intersections of media ecology with urban design, discourse, and evolving technological environments.  Pictured below are panelists and audience members from one of the MEA panels.

      Group of people from Media Ecology Association standing together and smiling

      From left to right are Ryan McCullough (West Liberty University), Thom Gencarelli (Manhattan University), Noura Hajjaj (Duquesne University), Jerry Erion (Daemen University), Lance Strate (Fordham University), Sal Fallica (NYU, Adelphi University, Ryan Eisenhuth (Ohio University)

      We extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who attended and participated in our sessions, which fostered rich dialogue, intellectual curiosity and a true sense of community.

      Member Accomplishments

      Our members continue to make significant contributions to the field of media ecology through their research, publications, and creative projects. This section highlights recent achievements, from book releases to awards and other professional milestones. If you have news to share, we encourage you to reach out so we can celebrate your work with the MEA community!

      New Book by MEA Vice President Elect: Crises Then as Now

      Congratulations to Dr. Jaqueline McLeod Rogers, MEA’s Vice President Elect, on the publication of her latest book, Crises Then as Now: Marshall McLuhan, with Urbanist Jaqueline Tyrwhitt and Artist György Kepes (Peter Lang).

      This timely and interdisciplinary work brings McLuhan into conversation with two often-overlooked collaborators—urbanist Jaqueline Tyrwhitt and artist György Kepes—to examine how their ideas addressed the cultural, environmental, and technological crises of the 1960s and 70s. In revisiting these dialogues, McLeod Rogers reveals a shared call for redesigning human systems to foster participation, sensory engagement, and sustainable ways of living—insights that resonate powerfully in our current moment.


      Learn more or order the book here: Crises Then as Now – Peter Lang

      Promotion Announcement


      Congratulations to MEA At-Large Member Julia M. Hildebrand, PhD on her tenure and promotion to Associate Professor of Communication at Eckerd College. She teaches courses on mass, digital, and social media. Her research focuses on new technologies of communication and bridges media ecology, mobile communication, and critical mobilities studies. For her book Aerial Play: Drone Medium, Mobility, Communication, and Culture (Palgrave Macmillan), she won the 2024 Marshall McLuhan Award for Outstanding Book in the Field of Media Ecology. She has been serving the MEA as an elected board member since 2019.

      Institute of General Semantics Updates

      The Institute of General Semantics (IGS) continues to offer valuable resources and opportunities for scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in general semantics, media ecology, and related fields. Below are some key updates

      Online Symposium – April 19

      The Institute of General Semantics will host its next virtual event, Communication, Consciousness, and Culture II: An Online Symposium, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This free, public event continues the conversations launched at the 2024 Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture and Symposium.

      Held via Zoom and open to both members and non-members, the symposium will feature presentations exploring language, meaning, perception, media, systems theory, and more. Registration is required, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing.

      For more information and to register, visit the Institute of General Semantics.


      For more information on IGS events, publications, and resources, visit the Institute of General Semantics website.

      Special Event: Memorial Tribute to Gary Gumpert and Screening of The Gutenberg Galaxy

      Please join us for a very special evening as the Institute of General Semantics, New York Society for General Semantics, Media Ecology Association, and Urban Communication Foundation come together to co-sponsor a memorial tribute to Gary Gumpert—scholar, teacher, media pioneer, and longtime supporter of media ecology.

      The evening will also feature a rare screening of The Gutenberg Galaxy, a 30-minute television program originally aired in 1960 and produced/directed by Gary Gumpert. The program includes appearances by Marshall McLuhan, Harley Parker, and Robert Shafer, offering a unique archival glimpse into McLuhan’s early media work and the formative years of educational television.

      About Gary Gumpert
      Gary Gumpert, Ph.D. (Wayne State University), was Emeritus Professor of Communication at Queens College (CUNY) and President of the Urban Communication Foundation. His six-decade career as a television director, scholar, and public intellectual left a lasting impact on the field. He authored and co-edited numerous influential works and was the recipient of the MEA’s Neil Postman Award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity.

      The Memorial Program
      The event will include reflections from Gary’s colleagues, students, and friends. If you would like to participate or offer a tribute, please contact Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org.


      Upcoming Seminar: Introduction to General Semantics

      June 9–11 | Mexico City | In-Person

      The Institute of General Semantics will host a 3-day in-person seminar on general semantics and related non-Aristotelian systems from June 9–11, 2025, at the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City.

      Designed for both newcomers and experienced practitioners, this intensive course will offer lecture, discussion, and hands-on exercises to deepen understanding of language, symbolic communication, epistemology, and evaluation. The seminar is also especially valuable for educators interested in applying general semantics in the classroom.

      Seminar leaders include:

      • Mary P. Lahman, Professor Emerita, Manchester University

      • Lance Strate, President of IGS, Fordham University

      • Peggy Cassidy, Adelphi University

      • Thom Gencarelli, Manhattan University

      The event takes place immediately following the MEA 2025 Convention (June 5–8), and participants are encouraged to attend both gatherings.

      Registration Fee:

      • $100 for IGS members

      • $200 for non-members

      Space is limited—register early to secure your spot! Additional details, including lodging and a full schedule, will be shared soon.

      For more information and to register, visit the Institute of General Semantics.

      More Ways to Get Involved with MEA

      Are you looking for opportunities to engage with the Media Ecology Association beyond the convention? Here are some exciting ways to participate:

      • Virtual Coffee Meetings
        Do you have questions about media ecology, need advice on a study, or want to invite an expert to speak in your class? Schedule a virtual coffee meeting with an MEA scholar! To arrange a meeting, visit our website

      If you’re an experienced media ecologist interested in volunteering for these meetings, we’d love to hear from you!

      • Book Reviewers Wanted
        Have you read a great book related to media ecology? Consider writing a review for Explorations in Media Ecology!  For more details and a format template, contact jbogaczyk@gmail.com.

      • Join the Listserv
        Stay connected with the MEA community by joining the discussion group. The discussion group is open to all for sharing views, exchanging information, and learning about events related to media ecology.

      • Follow MEA on Social Media
        Connect with us on social media to stay updated on news, events, and discussions. Follow us on Facebook and X to join the conversation!

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