The Official Newsletter for the Media Ecology Association

      

March 2025

Beware the Ides of March… or Just Enjoy the Updates!

As we move through March, history reminds us to "beware the Ides," but here at the Media Ecology Association, we’re embracing the energy of the season! Instead of conspiracies and betrayals, we bring you exciting updates, thriving conversations, and a glimpse into the dynamic work of our members.

This month, we highlight some amazing activity within our community—projects, publications, and future events. Additionally, the planning for our upcoming convention is running smoothly, and we can’t wait to share more details with you.

--Tiffany Petricini

    MEA 2025 Convention: What You Need to Know

    • Early Registration Reminder--Deadline March 15th! Take advantage of early registration prices for the MEA Convention before the rates go up! Don’t miss the opportunity to secure your spot at a lower cost.  Early registration prices are good until March 15th, 2025. After that, regular member registration is $170 and student member registration is $80. To register, please visit the MEA Website. 
    • Convention Dinner: A convention highlight is always the chance to gather and unwind over a great meal. This year’s dinner venue promises to be a fantastic setting for conversation and camaraderie.  Join us for this exclusive dinner at the iconic Soumaya Museum on Saturday, June 7. You'll enjoy an evening of gourmet dining, engaging conversation, and cultural enrichment in one of the world's most celebrated art institutions. This is a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders and enthusiasts in a setting that perfectly blends art, innovation, and inspiration. Reserve your spot and be part of an unforgettable night of elegance and connection. We look forward to welcoming you to this exceptional celebration! 
    • Featured Speakers: We are excited to welcome a fantastic lineup of speakers who will offer fresh perspectives on media ecology and its evolving landscape. As a refresher, below is the lineup!

      • Lera Boroditsky — Renowned for her groundbreaking work in linguistics and cognitive science.

      • T.C. McLuhan — A celebrated filmmaker and author exploring cultural and ecological storytelling.

      • Deborah Tannen — A leading voice in gender and communication studies.

      Membership Renewals

      We invite you to renew your membership with the Media Ecology Association (MEA) and continue being part of our vibrant community dedicated to exploring the impact of media and communication on society, along with other intereseting topics.

       

      By renewing, you will enjoy:

      • Access to a special Members Area with access to 20+ years of back issues of our journal Explorations in Media Ecology.
      • Subscription to our email newsletter In Medias Res and the opportunity to have your achievements featured in it.
      • Venues for showcasing your scholarly work, including our own annual convention, as well as featured panels at NCA, ECA, and ICA (at the reduced ICA-member registration rate).
      • Discounted registration rate at our annual convention.
      • Opportunities to contribute professional service and to help shape the direction of the media ecology.
      • Participation in MEA elections and governance.
      • Discounts on selected books and publications.

       

      Renew your membership and stay connected with groundbreaking ideas and collaborations!

      https://media-ecology.org/membership

       

      Payment questions? Contact our treasurer Paul Soukup at treasurer@media-ecology.net.  General membership questions? Contact our Executive Secretary Fernando Gutiérrez at secretary@media-ecology.net.

      Urban Communication Foundation Student Research Grant

      The Media Ecology Association invites graduate students to apply for a $2,500 research grant sponsored by the Urban Communication Foundation. This grant supports projects grounded in media ecology that examine cities and urban environments in relation to human communication, social interaction, technological mediation, and cultural change. Proposals exploring identity and affiliation (race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and other social factors) are encouraged.

      Award Benefits

      • $2,500 stipend
      • Complimentary MEA membership (including a subscription to Explorations in Media Ecology)
      • Free registration for the annual convention
      • Dedicated convention session featuring the research
      • Publication in Explorations in Media Ecology upon completion

      Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
      To apply, submit:

      1. A 100-word abstract and one-page project description
      2. A faculty letter of support

      Send materials to Lance Strate at strate@fordham.edu

      Past recipients have explored urban crisis communication, media ecology and race, and civic journalism. We look forward to seeing this year’s contributions!

      MEA at ECA

      The Eastern Communication Association’s Annual Convention is fast approaching, and the Media Ecology Association is proud to sponsor a dynamic lineup of panels and discussions. The convention will take place from March 26–30, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. For full conference details, visit the ECA Convention Website.

      MEA is sponsoring two paper panels and a roundtable, bringing together leading scholars to explore media ecology’s intersections with urban spaces, design, discourse, and problem-solving in a shifting media environment. We invite all MEA members and conference attendees to engage in these discussions.

      MEA-Sponsored Sessions

      Thursday, March 29

      • 1:00–2:15 PM | Urban Design and Memorable City Experiences (Hyatt Regency Franklin)
        Exploring the communication and rhetorical significance of urban design through perspectives on sustainability, sidewalks, ethics, and city spaces.

      • 2:30–3:45 PM | Creative Solutions Grounded in Media Ecology: A Discussion of Neil Postman’s Scholarship (Hyatt Regency Ellicott)
        A deep dive into Postman’s media ecology framework and how it provides clarity and solutions for contemporary challenges in communication, education, and language.

      Friday, March 28

      • 8:30–9:45 AM | Media Ecology Business Meeting (Hyatt Regency Franklin)
        Open to all members and interested scholars—join us to discuss MEA’s initiatives, accomplishments, and future plans.

      • 4:00–5:15 PM | Remembering Gary Gumpert: A Force of Nature (Hyatt Regency Ellicott)
        A dedicated panel honoring the life and contributions of Gary Gumpert, a foundational figure in media ecology and urban communication.

      Saturday, March 29

      • 8:30–9:45 AM | Exploring the Past and Future from a Media Ecology Approach (Hyatt Regency Franklin)
        A panel featuring new scholarship examining media ecology’s role in shaping how we understand past, present, and future challenges.

      Honoring Gary Gumpert: A Legacy of Media Ecology

      We invite all MEA members and ECA attendees to join us for a special session in memory of Gary Gumpert, a visionary scholar whose work reshaped media ecology and urban communication studies.

      Session Details:
      Friday, March 28 | 4:00–5:15 PM | Hyatt Regency Ellicott

      Gary’s contributions to media studies, urban communication, and public discourse were profound. His work, mentorship, and scholarship have influenced generations of media ecologists. This session will be an opportunity to reflect on his enduring impact, celebrate his legacy, and honor his commitment to understanding media’s role in the human experience.

      If you attend one session at ECA in honor of a pioneer in our field—let it be this one. Let’s come together as a community to pay tribute to Gary’s legacy.

      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!

      Award-Winning Documentary: Man on a Mission

      MEA Immediate Past President Robert Albrecht, along with Dina Bruno, co-produced and co-directed Man on a Mission, a film that has garnered international recognition. The documentary recently won the Best Documentary Award at both the Helsinki Educational Film Festival and the Golden Door International Film Festival. It also received a Merit Award from the Impact Docs Festival in La Jolla, California.

      Man on a Mission celebrates the life and legacy of Carmine Tabone, a Jersey City community artist and educator who dedicated his life to using the arts to build community and provide a counterbalance to the overwhelming influence of digital media on young people.

      Congratulations to Robert Albrecht and Dina Bruno on this achievement!

      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:

      Videos from the 2024 Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture & Symposium

      Recordings from the 2024 Alfred Korzybski Memorial Lecture (AKML) & Symposium are now available. These sessions featured leading voices in general semantics and media ecology, offering insightful discussions on language, communication, and meaning-making. To access the videos, visit the IGS website.

      Call for Book Chapters: Modeling Our Ways of Knowing: Examining and Evaluating the Structural Differential

      To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Alfred Korzybski’s structural differential model, IGS is calling for submissions for an upcoming book edited by Lance Strate and Bini B.S. Contributions may explore the model’s historical, theoretical, and practical significance in areas such as linguistics, media studies, systems theory, and pedagogy. Submissions are due March 1, 2025. For more details, visit the CFP on the IGS website.

      Call for Papers: IGS Online Symposium (April 19, 2025)

      IGS invites submissions for the Communication, Consciousness, & Culture Symposium 2, which will be held online via Zoom on April 19, 2025. This event will continue discussions on non-Aristotelian perspectives, media ecology, cybernetics, and symbolic communication. Submission deadline: March 12, 2025. Send proposals to IGS President Lance Strate at president@generalsemantics.org.

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

      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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