HASS's 2024 Year-in-Review

A Year of Growth and Achievement in HASS

2024 marked another incredible year for the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology. From expanding general education offerings to hiring exceptional new faculty, producing groundbreaking scholarship and enhancing our facilities, the HASS community demonstrated continued forward momentum.

These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, staff and supporters. As we look back on this year, we invite you to explore the many accomplishments and milestones that have shaped our vibrant and innovative community.

Here's to a fantastic 2024—and to an even brighter 2025 ahead!

Kelland Thomas
Dean, School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Stevens and HASS Students Won Big in Advertising Competitions

The year began on a high note for the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), as Stevens' end-of-year, celebratory video garnered widespread attention and admiration. Showcasing the creativity and talent of HASS students, the video set the stage for an exciting year ahead.

Featuring an original musical composition created and performed by Ashton Hummler, Aidan Munoz, and Valentina Vasquez, HASS students, the video went on to achieve broad recognition. It received a silver award at the 39th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, the nation’s largest advertising competition judged by a national panel of higher education marketers and creative directors.

Stevens' video stood out among more than 2,000 entries submitted by over 1,000 colleges, universities, and secondary schools across all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Adding to its accolades, the video also won gold in the 2023 Collegiate Advertising Awards' special video production category. The Telly Awards also honored the video with the silver medal in the Educational Institution category for Branded Content in 2024.

Cormack in American Politics Research and Slate

Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, published an article in the journal American Politics Research. Titled "More Choices, More Problems? Ranked Choice Voting Errors in New York City," the study examines the impact of ranked choice voting on voter efficacy. Cormack conducted research using ballot data from the 2013 general election, the 2017, and 2021 New York City democratic mayoral primaries.

The study explored factors that could lead to increased instances of voidable ballots due to "overvoting," especially in the context of ranked-choice voting. The findings reveal that locations with lower educational attainment and median household incomes had increased shares of voidable ballots compared to those with higher educational attainment and incomes. The research highlights the potential challenges associated with ranked choice voting, a valuable insight as more areas consider its adoption.

A recent article on Slate, titled "The Big Problem With Small-Dollar Donations," highlighted Cormack's insights into how modest donations in American politics might contribute to extremism. Cormack used DCinbox, her database of official, congressional emails, to uncover instances of fundraising rhetoric, like the phrase "Biden crime family," appearing in emails to constituents. Fundraising messages went even further, referencing stories from far-right outlets. The article also noted Cormack's artistic experiment of feeding keywords from Democratic and Republican emails into Midjourney, an A.I. art generator.

Campus Point Connection: Book Celebration for Science and Technology Studies

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences hosted the first Campus Point Connection of the semester, celebrating three books recently published by faculty members of the Science and Technology Studies program.

Gut Anthro: An Experiment in Thinking with Microbes, by Amber Benezra, an assistant professor and sociocultural anthropologist, is an ethnography of microbes that offers new opportunities for anthropological inquiry. In collaboration with a human microbial ecologist, Benezra developed an "anthropology of microbes" to address health crises experienced globally and across disciplines. Considering health disparities, Benezra argued for cross-disciplinary research into racial, microbial differences.

Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World, by Theresa MacPhail, an associate professor and medical anthropologist, traced the history of allergies and questioned why billions of people worldwide have some form of allergy. Described as “important and deeply researched” by the Wall Street Journal, the book explained what allergies are and why they're getting worse.

Oceans Under Glass: Tank Craft and the Sciences of the Sea, by Samantha Muka, an assistant professor and historian of marine science, examined how aquarium modeling enhances our knowledge of the marine environment. Muka explored the technological developments and deployments that shape the marine environment, tracking how aquarium users develop and share knowledge on maintaining aquatic life in captivity.

The event, organized and hosted by Katheryn Detwiler, a teaching assistant professor in the Science and Technology Studies program, also marked the return of the Science and Technology Studies Speaker Series. Detwiler's research considers how data practices shape the production of scientific knowledge.

Can Physics Solve Consciousness?

Physics writer George Musser visited the Center for Science Writings to discuss his new book, Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation, with John Horgan, the CSW's director. The book dives into physicists’ efforts to explain how mind emerges from matter. Physicist and bestselling author Carlo Rovelli described Musser’s work as “a delightful account of one of the deepest and most fascinating explorations going on today at the frontier of our knowledge.”

Nietzsche and Music

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) is famous for his many provocative philosophical ideas, but it is less known that he was also an avid piano player and a composer who in his young years dreamt of devoting his life to music.

At a symposium recently hosted by The New School, Aysegul Durakoglu, a teaching professor of music and technology, and Michael Steinmann, a professor of philosophy, discussed the intersection of philosophy and music in Nietzsche's work. They were joined by Yunus Tuncel from The New School and Tilman Williams from the University of Berlin.

The event also celebrated the book Nietzsche and Music: Philosophical Thoughts and Musical Experiments in Nietzsche’s Work, edited by Durakoglu, Steinmann, Tuncel (2022).

Harari on SORC Radio Network

Rob Harari, a former and now retired teaching professor of music and technology, joined Dion Parson on the SORC Radio Network's Sounds of the Diaspora: Artist to Artist. The conversation focused 'St. Thomas,' an Afro-Caribbean album by Dion Parson and his 21st Century Band.

The two discussed the fusion of Caribbean and New Orleans influences and the challenges of recording and mixing instruments like the steel pan and sabar drums. Harari also discussed his work as a musician, educator, researcher and sound engineer.

Time Quoted Wellerstein

In the article "How Christopher Nolan Found Intimacy on a Grand Scale," Time Magazine quoted Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor of science and technology studies, about J. Robert Oppenheimer's moments of recklessness. “Every person in his close circle is or was at one point either a member of the Communist Party or very close, and he was probably very close himself,” said Wellerstein.

The article goes on to quote the film director Christopher Nolan, who noted "during the [bomb development Oppenheimer's] going to San Francisco and having a tryst with a known communist, and he's doing it while he's under surveillance by military intelligence. This is where he exhibits the sort of naïveté that only the most brilliant minds have.”

MacPhail on NPR's Life Examined

Theresa MacPhail, an associate professor of science and technology studies and author of Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World, stopped by KCRW's Life Examined, a radio show hosted by Jonathan Bastian. MacPhail discussed the historical roots of allergies, tracing the identification of allergies to the work of British physician Charles Blackley and his role in bringing hay fever to the forefront of medical awareness.

Wellerstein's Book Translated to Chinese

Restricted Data: The History of Nuclear Secrecy in the United States, written by Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor of science and technology studies, and published by the University of Chicago Press, recently became available in Chinese.

The book is also being published in China. Yongxia Li of Lanzhou City University and Jianming Peng of Northwest Normal University—a wife-and-husband team of Chinese academics—spent 11 months translating it for CITIC Press, one of the major publishers of translated nonfiction in China.

Alomar Featured in Grammy-Winning Documentary

Moonage Daydream, a film about David Bowie featuring Carlos Alomar, HASS's distinguished artist-in-residence, was named Best Music Film at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Recently, at the Sundance Film Festival, Alomar participated in a panel discussing his involvement in the upcoming Luther Vandross documentary, Never Too Much. His guitar performance was also featured in the MGM movie American Fiction, which has been nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Staff Promotions in HASS

Zachary Balog was promoted to Director of Foreign Languages. As the Foreign Languages Coordinator, Balog managed and expanded Stevens' language courses. In this role, he developed curricula, conducted student outreach, guided adjunct professors in course content, and organized events to promote language learning and diversity. He also coordinated undergraduate ESL courses, assessed students' English levels, and managed placements. Additionally, Balog taught introductory and intermediate Spanish, as well as English for ESL students. He earned his master's degree from West Virginia University's Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and authored the memoir Saving Souls in Paradise: A Mormon's Failed Mission in the Canary Islands.

Connor Durkin was promoted to Senior Manager for Communications and Marketing. In his previous role as Manager of Communications and Marketing, Durkin played a pivotal role in renaming and rebranding the academic unit to the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He enhanced HASS's web presence by migrating the school's content to the university's redesigned website and content management system. Durkin crafted communications related to HASS and designed graphic, print and digital materials. He also contributed to event coordination, notably helping organize HASS's Campus Point Connection series. Durkin earned his master's degree from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study and is currently pursuing a master's in Computer Science at Stevens.

AfroFuturism featured on Stevens' Instagram

Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor of literature, had his Afrofuturism class showcased on Stevens' main Instagram account. Alana Schmitt, a Stevens student majoring in mathematics and minoring in science and technology studies, was chosen to "take over" the account and highlighted the class on the university's Instragram stories.

HASS and the AP Campus Insights Project

To connect academic experts with global news outlets, Stevens Institute of Technology participates in the AP Campus Insights Project, an invitation-only initiative by the Associated Press. This semester, several faculty members from the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) have shared their expertise through interviews, including Lindsey Swindall, Jason Vredenburg, and Lindsey Cormack.

Swindall on African-American Performing Arts

"Hip hop is born in the Bronx in the 1970s, and it really was born out of a need to speak to the urban experiences of African-Americans, in particular, a younger generation that had come up in poverty through the civil rights movement, but felt that a lot of people didn't really understand the lives of urban African-Americans," said Lindsey Swindall, a teaching professor, during an interview about historical African-American influences in music, film, and comedy.

"And so hip hop music, in its earliest incarnations, really spoke to those experiences." Watch her full interview on HASS's Instagram.

Vredenburg on the Academy Awards

"One of the things about Hollywood is it's becoming more global anyway, right? It's a much more global industry, and the Academy Awards have certainly reflected that over the course of the last few years," said Jason Vredenburg, a teaching associate professor who studies literature and film.

"But I do think there's something—a certain pride that might be taken or satisfaction that might be achieved with a film like Oppenheimer, which is much more closely tied to the Hollywood establishment, the traditional film establishment, than some previous winners." Watch his full interview on HASS's Instagram.

Cormack on the 2024 Elections

"I think the media narrative around the election is challenging because I understand that those who are in that industry want to have the horse race," said Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science.

"They want to make people engage in this election, know that it's close, that they really have to turn out. But it's also something that we risk turning people off. This is a round two of something that we've already been through," Cormack continued.

"And so hearing that on repeat for eight months might be what some people in media want to do, but it might not be what the electorate needs to hear." Watch her full interview on HASS's Instagram.

Durakoglu Celebrated Turkish Republic's 100th Anniversary

In Washington, D.C., Aysegul Durakoglu, a teaching professor of music and technology, served as the artistic director and pianist for a concert organized by the Ataturk Society of America (ASA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Held at the prestigious Cosmos Club, the performance featured a talented ensemble led by Durakoglu on piano, including soprano Lori Şen, clarinetist Ismail Lumanovsky, and cellist David Agia. The event also showcased a special commission by composer Ali Can Puskulcu titled "United as One: From the Tenth to Hundredth Year."

Dayal Named to CLAGS Board of Directors

Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor of literature, was elected to the Board of Directors of CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies, based at the CUNY Graduate Center, for a three-year term. In this role, Dayal contributed to the center's operations, helping to oversee fellowship and prize selection, programming, and fundraising.

CLAGS bestows some of the most significant accolades in the field of LGBTQ studies, including the Kessler Award, the CLAGS Fellowship Award, the Sylvia Rivera Award, and the Jose Esteban Muñoz Prize. These honors recognize lifetime achievement, outstanding scholarly books, contributions to trans studies, and community engagement. The center was founded by the esteemed queer historian Martin Duberman.

Packer Debuted "Elysia marginata"

Allyson Packer, a teaching assistant professor of visual arts and technology, and her collaborator Jesse Fisher debuted their short film, Elysia marginata, on DIS, a streaming platform that brings together leading artists and thinkers to expand the reach of contemporary conversations in art, culture, activism, philosophy, and technology.

Packer also recently attended the College Art Association (CAA) Annual Conference in Chicago. Her presentation, Chronicles of the Present: Artist Books with Appropriated Imagery, was featured on the Foundations in Art: Theory and Education panel.

Schept Published in Psychological Perspectives

Susan Schept, who teaches psychology courses in HASS, published an article titled "The Transformational Impact of Bar/Bat Mitzvah on Adolescents, Parents, Grandparents: A Jungian Analysis" in the journal Psychological Perspectives.

In her work, Schept examines bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies, Jewish rites of passage that often include elaborate celebrations in the United States. She explores the deeper meaning of the ceremony, presenting it as a symbolic embodiment of the Jungian archetype of initiation. Schept argues that, when approached with its full religious significance, the bar/bat mitzvah becomes a transformative experience, encompassing years of study in Hebrew language, sacred texts, historical interpretations, and prayers.

Caleb Solidum Released 'Winter'

Caleb Solidum, a music and technology student, released the album 'Winter' across major streaming platforms. The songs reflects his thoughts and emotions of the past year, capturing the essence of winter. Solidum wrote, produced, and conceptualized his work across campus and Hoboken, finding moments of creativity in the music and technology practice rooms and on PATH trains alike.

Benezra and Students Organized Menstrual Products Drive

As faculty advisor to the Service and Leadership LLC, Amber Benezra, an assistant professor of science and technology studies, worked with students to organize a menstrual products drive benefiting the Hoboken Community Center.

In a recent article by The Stute titled "That Time of the Month," Benezra highlighted the issue of period insecurity and the need for systemic support. “Menstruating people need the space to take care of their periods — it’s not an individual responsibility,” she said.

Donations are being collected until Friday, March 8. Accepted items include tampons and pads with wings. Collection boxes are located in Babbio Atrium, UCC 1st and 2nd floors, Howe 1st floor, and the CPH entryway.

Stevens Women in Music's Track-a-Thon

Stevens Women in Music (SWIM), a new student organization committed to fostering an inclusive and vibrant community of musical collaboration, recently hosted their inaugural Music and Technology Track-a-Thon in the recording studio lab of the Music and Technology department.

Seven bands and musicians from across the university participated, resulting in the creation of five completed mixes with the support of dedicated recording and mixing engineers from the SWIM community. This event showcased SWIM's mission to celebrate the university's diverse musical talents while emphasizing women's leadership roles.

Open to all members of the Stevens community, SWIM aims to continue hosting Track-a-Thons in the future, providing opportunities for students to bring their audio projects to life in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Campus Point Connection: Crisis and Meaning

HASS hosted a one-day symposium, "Crisis and Meaning: Intersections of Humanities and Mental Health," as part of the Campus Point Connection series. The event brought together scholars, students, and members of the public to explore how the humanities, arts, and social sciences intersect with mental health discourses.

The symposium featured panels on trauma, illness, arts, and healing. Presentations included topics such as teaching happiness during the pandemic, the use of writing therapy in historical contexts, ethical implications of therapy chatbots, and philosophical approaches to moral injury. Faculty and guest speakers from Stevens Institute of Technology and other institutions shared insights into how mental health and the humanities can inform one another.

Held at the Stevens campus, the event underscored the potential of interdisciplinary dialogue to deepen understanding of the human experience and foster new approaches to addressing mental health challenges.

Motus Mentis

Students of the visual arts and technology program recently showcased their artistic projects at the opening of Motus Mentis, a senior capstone exhibition planned in collaboration with the Monira Foundation and held at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. The Latin phrase motus mentis denotes "the movement of the mind," encapsulating the dynamism of cognitive processes.

Across the program's four concentrations—creative computation, design, game design, and moving image—students demonstrated how technology powers their creativity. The exhibition is now viewable online.

New Undergraduate Core Curriculum

Stevens Institute of Technology introduced the Stevens Undergraduate Core Curriculum: Essential Skills for Success (SUCCESS), a forward-thinking initiative designed to equip students with the critical skills required to excel in the 21st-century job market.

Launched in Fall 2024, SUCCESS focuses on communication, leadership, ethics, diversity, computing, entrepreneurship, and technology. A key component of the curriculum is the Foundation Program, a sequence of courses taught within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

The introductory course, Writing and Communications, emphasizes textual analysis, academic research, and presentation skills. The follow-up course, Knowledge, Nature, Culture, provides students with an engaging introduction to the humanistic disciplines, fostering a deeper understanding of the connections between knowledge, the natural world, and cultural contexts.

How Being Disabled Changed How I See Technology

The Center for Science Writings hosted Ashley Shew, a professor of science and technology studies at Virginia Tech, for a lecture on her book Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement.

In her work, Shew reflects on how cancer-induced disabilities reshaped her perspective on the potential and limitations of technology. Her insights challenge conventional views about technological "improvement" and highlight the importance of inclusive design.

Dayal Published Review of "Queer Forms"

Smaran Dayal published a review of the queer studies book Queer Forms by Ramzi Fawaz in GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, one of the leading publications in the field.

"Fawaz develops a theory of 'queer forms' and a creative/interpretative practice he terms queer formalism," writes Dayal. "He uses the former to describe an archive of gay liberationist and feminist cultural production from the 1970s on, and the latter for both the practice of crafting queer forms and a method to identify and interpret them."

Cormack Published Academic and Press Articles

Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, recently published the academic article "Cross-Platform Partisan Positioning in Congressional Speech" in Political Research Quarterly. Co-authored with Jon Green (Duke University), Kelsey Shoub (University of Massachusetts Amherst), and Rachel Blum (University of Oklahoma), the article examines how lawmakers' communication varies across different platforms.

"Legislative activity—whether votes or communications—is often represented in a single partisan or ideological dimension," reads the article's abstract. "But as lawmakers communicate in various venues (e.g., traditional, direct, or social media), the extent to which these estimates are interchangeable—reflecting a common underlying dimension—is unclear."

The study finds that while Democrats and Republicans generally maintain distinct partisan positions, individual party members' relative positions often fluctuate depending on the platform. Platforms with nationalized audiences, such as social media, encourage higher levels of polarization, whereas more localized platforms, like e-newsletters, tend to reduce it. The article concludes that "the observed level of polarization depends on the communication venue, highlighting the importance of considering different inputs when measuring partisanship in congressional communication studies."

In addition to her academic work, Cormack authored "I studied 180K-plus emails from members of Congress. Republicans design their communication more strategically than Democrats" for Fast Company. The article, also published by The Conversation as "I’ve been studying congressional emails to constituents for 15 years − and found these 4 trends after scanning 185,222 of them," highlights four key findings from her research. Cormack notes that Republicans use and strategically time emails more frequently than Democrats, maintain consistent messaging, co-opt opponents' terms, and adapt swiftly to internet trends.

In the Voice of America article, "Prospects for the Democratic Party in the 2024 US Election," the author, Jimmy Manan, outlines what Cormack says are four major challenges for Democrats in the upcoming election season: Biden's low popularity, his age, the immigration crisis, and the economic narrative.

Benezra's Article Spotlighted for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The American Society of Microbiology's (ASM) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) article collection recently featured "Chasing Ghosts: Race, Racism, and the Future of Microbiome Research," co-authored by Amber Benezra, an assistant professor of science and technology studies. The article was written in collaboration with Travis J. De Wolfe, Mohammed Rafi Arefin, and María Rebolleda Gómez.

ASM curated this collection from its range of journals to spotlight research that integrates inclusive diversity with equity, access, and accountability. Benezra's article examines the intersection of microbiome science with issues of race and racism, advocating for equitable social and ecological practices within the field.

The authors conclude with a vision and plan to cultivate "a more effective, antiracist microbiome science."

The New York Times Quoted Morgan

In the recent New York Times article, "Overlooked No More: Yvonne Barr, Who Helped Discover a Cancer-Causing Virus," Gregory Morgan, an associate professor of philosophy, reflected on the contributions of virologist Yvonne Barr, a key figure in the discovery of the Epstein-Barr virus.

Morgan highlighted Barr's expertise in cell culture techniques, which were instrumental in identifying the first virus known to cause cancer in humans. Despite her pivotal role, Barr's achievements received little recognition, particularly compared to those of her colleague, Michael Epstein, whose death was widely reported, while Barr’s passing in 2016 went largely unnoticed.

“Her case illustrates the pervasive sexism of mid-20th century biomedicine,” Morgan said. “She found science in Australia a bit of a boys' club and could not obtain a permanent position.”

Faculty Promotions

Gregory Morgan Promoted to Full Professor

Gregory Morgan was promoted to full professor of philosophy. Known for his interdisciplinary work, Morgan made significant contributions to the fields of philosophy, virology, and the history of science. He recently published Cancer Virus Hunters: A History of Tumor Virology, a comprehensive history of viruses that cause cancer. He also worked on Philosophy of Virology, an introduction to the philosophical issues raised by viruses.

Kristyn Karl Earned Tenure and Promotion

Kristyn Karl earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of political science. With a focus on political psychology, Karl's research spanned public opinion, gender dynamics in politics, and risk communication. She previously led the Reinventing Civil Defense initiative, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, where she served as a principal investigator alongside Alex Wellerstein. The project developed communication strategies about nuclear risk and aimed to reach a broad public audience. Karl also secured additional funding from the Thompson Family Foundation and through the Stevens’ College of Arts and Letters Small Grant program.

Samantha Muka Earned Tenure and Promotion

Samantha Muka earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of science and technology studies. Focusing on the intersection of technology and marine environments, Muka’s debut book, Oceans Under Glass, highlighted the role of aquariums in advancing our understanding of the ocean, showcasing aquarium users' contributions to marine research. Her work attracted attention in prominent media outlets such as Slate, The Atlantic, and American Scientist. Muka’s next project will examine the historical development of ocean waste management and its alignment with public perceptions of the marine ecosystem.

Nancy Nowacek Earned Tenure and Promotion

Nancy Nowacek earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of visual arts and technology. Nowacek’s creative work focused on deconstructing social structures and systems, with collaborative processes at its core. Her studio practice and participatory works were highly collaborative, engaging diverse communities and stakeholders. Nowacek co-founded the art collective Works on Water, which advocates for urban waterways and ecologies amidst climate change. She previously served as an education-artist-in-residence at the Walker Art Center and participated in residency programs such as Eyebeam and the Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program.

Newest HASS Faculty Research Fellows

The HASS Faculty Research Fellows program celebrates the establishment of Stevens' School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. With generous support from the Office of the Provost, this initiative recognizes exceptional achievements in research and creativity.

Congratulations to our second class of fellows: Kristyn Karl, associate professor of political science; Samantha Muka, associate professor of science and technology studies; Yu Tao, associate professor of sociology; and Jeff Thompson, associate professor of visual arts and technology!

This fellowship program strengthens HASS’s strategic priority of supporting and empowering faculty. These fellows exemplify excellence in their scholarship, advancing the research missions of both HASS and Stevens.

Scherban Designed New York Times Crossword

Jack Scherban, a senior in HASS's music and technology program, recently debuted his crossword puzzle in The New York Times.

"I built my confidence as a constructor by making crosswords for my school’s newspaper each week, and soon after I decided to try submitting my own to The Times," said Scherban. "As a huge fan of the daily crossword, getting one of my own puzzles published was at the top of my bucket list. And — after a couple of rejections, of course — here I am!"

Burke on ABC News

Michelle Y. Burke, a teaching assistant professor of writing and the humanities, recently appeared on ABC News Extra Time with host Josh Einiger to discuss college students' growing interest in examining the relationship between social media and the mental health of young people.

The conversation highlighted research projects her students conduct in her social epistemology course. "Regardless of the attitude they bring into the research, they often end up with an argument where they are very critical of social media and the role it has played in their lives," said Burke.

Dayal Gave Keynote Address at Lavender Graduation and Presents Award

Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor of literature, is delivering an address at today's Lavender Graduation, an event honoring graduating undergraduate and graduate students who identify as LGBTQ+.

Mosaic, a platform created by NJ.com to celebrate New Jersey's diverse cultures, published Dayal's speech in advance. The address centers on embracing "queer time" and reclaiming the fundamental right to rest. Dayal encourages graduates to challenge societal norms that dictate life trajectories, particularly regarding gender, sexuality, and work.

“So, whether that’s choosing different family formations, relationship styles, coming out or transitioning later in life, starting a family at one’s own pace—if one wants to at all—or simply going clubbing as a 40-year-old—and I can assure you at least a few of your professors do—it’s not so much that you’re falling behind—whatever that’s supposed to mean: falling behind whom? On the journey to where? Or that you’re doing life 'wrong,'" reads Dayal's speech.

“Instead, as you go out into the world and start your lives, it might be helpful to remember that queer time is an actual, sociological fact, and that you’re simply walking on your own unique path that society has yet to recognize as equally valid.”

In his role on the Board of Directors at CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center, Dayal also presented Alok Vaid-Menon with the José Esteban Muñoz Award, which was created to honor an LGBTQ community leader or activist for their advocacy and promotion of LGBTQ Studies.

The New York Times Employed DCinbox

To analyze politicians' communication patterns and topics, The New York Times utilized DCinbox, a database created by Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science. DCinbox gathered official emails sent by members of Congress to their constituents, providing valuable insights into their rhetoric and priorities.

A recent article, "How Republicans Echo Antisemitic Tropes Despite Declaring Support for Israel," used DCinbox data to examine how Republican leaders, influenced by former President Donald Trump, navigated the presence of antisemitism within their party. The article highlighted how Trump’s remarks and actions emboldened extremist views, creating a challenge for GOP leaders as they attempted to distance themselves from antisemitic rhetoric without alienating a substantial portion of their base.

Cormack enlisted undergraduate research assistants to manage DCinbox. One former assistant, Jacob Ashkenas, graduated at the top of his class with a bachelor's degree in computer science.

Durakoglu and Harari Presented at UN Conference

The United Nations Civil Society Conference, organized by LMGlobal.org, recently held an international online panel featuring Aysegul Durakoglu, a teaching professor of music and technology, and Robert Harari, a former and now retired teaching professor.

The conference focused on the theme "How We Can Prevent Harmful Consequences from Information Communications Technologies (ICTs), and Move Towards a Sustainable Future?" To open the event, Durakoglu performed Nazim Hikmet's poem "I Want to be Mechanized." The discussions also addressed integrating technology in education while preserving humanity.

Harari provided insights into perception and health issues through the lens of psychoacoustics.

HASS Faculty and Staff Recognized for Excellence

The faculty and staff of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) received numerous awards presented by Stevens Institute of Technology, recognizing their commitment to excellence in education, technology, collaboration, and teamwork.

Distinguished University Service Award: Michael Steinmann, Professor of Philosophy

Michael Steinmann was honored with the Distinguished University Service Award, established in 2021 to recognize faculty members whose contributions significantly impact the university community. Since joining Stevens in 2008, Steinmann served as an advisor to students and faculty and contributed to applied ethics, exploring consciousness, moral thought, and the intersection of philosophy with modern society and technology.

Excellence in All We Do: Lindsey Swindall, Teaching Associate Professor of Writing and Humanities

Since joining Stevens in 2015, Lindsey Swindall embodied the university’s dedication to excellence. A scholar in African American studies, Swindall authored books, co-edited volumes, and published articles while engaging in public scholarship on race and U.S. history.

Creating a Connected Community: Lainie Fefferman, Assistant Professor of Music and Technology

Lainie Fefferman was recognized for her work as a composer, performer, educator, and HASS faculty fellow. She helped design and implement the innovative "Creative Collaboration" sequence in the music and technology program, enriching the major’s curriculum. A tech-powered composer, Fefferman also served as an organizer of New Music Gathering, connecting students and faculty with avant-garde musicians.

Jess H. Davis Memorial Award for Research Excellence: Theresa MacPhail, Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies

Theresa MacPhail received the Jess H. Davis Memorial Award for Research Excellence, given annually to a faculty member whose published research work is judged most outstanding. MacPhail, a medical anthropologist and HASS faculty fellow, recently published Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World through Penguin Random House. The book traces the cultural history of allergies and examines why allergies affect people globally.

Transformative Teamwork Award: Zach Balog, Director of Foreign Languages

Zach Balog, director of foreign languages, received the Transformative Teamwork Award, shared with Susi Rachouh, Vicky Orlofsky, Courtney Walsh, Chloe Bergman-Ray, Samaneh Jafari, Nathalie Waite, and Jillian Ryan. The team was recognized for their efforts as the International Education Month Committee.

In his role, Balog managed Stevens' language courses, developed curricula, conducted student outreach, mentored adjunct professors, and organized events to promote language learning and diversity.

NYTimes Quoted Cormack on Transgender Veterans' Lawsuit

The New York Times quoted Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, in an article about a lawsuit filed by an advocacy group for transgender veterans against the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to cover gender-affirming surgeries.

Cormack noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs likely needed time to navigate bureaucratic processes, as extending healthcare provisions would require action under the PACT Act. “The veterans administration itself, it moves slow,” Cormack said. “It’s not a fast, expedient, changing thing.”

Stevens Piano Club Marked World Piano Day

The Piano Club at Stevens hosted a recital to celebrate World Piano Day, a global event observed annually on the 88th day of the year. Michelle Grilli, the club's president; Aysegul Durakoglu, a teaching professor of music and technology and the club's faculty advisor; and Linda Beninghove, the interim director of the S.W. Library, led the event.

Piano students from the music and technology program, as well as from other schools at Stevens, joined Durakoglu in performing a diverse selection of piano compositions, ranging from classical to contemporary genres.

New Hires and New Appointments in HASS

Teresa Nakra, Professor

Teresa Nakra has joined the HASS faculty as the director and a professor of the music and technology program. Nakra joined Stevens after 19 years as a professor of music, design, and creative technology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). At TCNJ, she helped build degree programs in music, music technology, and interactive multimedia.

Nakra holds a B.A. from Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude and earned several prestigious awards. She later joined the MIT Media Lab, contributing to the Brain Opera project, an interactive music system. Nakra earned her Ph.D. at MIT, specializing in music technology. For her dissertation, she developed the "Conductor's Jacket," a sensor-equipped garment worn by conductors from the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra, enabling her to monitor physiological and muscle tension signals.

Her recent book, Constructing Music, introduces a new method for teaching music through creative coding, making music theory more accessible and engaging for students. Learn more about Nakra and the music and technology program in a recent article on stevens.edu.

Sandeep Mertia, Assistant Professor

Sandeep Mertia has joined the HASS faculty as an assistant professor in the science and technology studies program. Previously, he was a joint postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication.

He earned his Ph.D. in media, culture, and communication from New York University after completing a bachelor of technology degree in ICT engineering from DA-IICT, Gandhinagar. Mertia's research focuses on the history and anthropology of media technologies, computing, urbanism, and futures. His current book project, Starting-up with the State: Computing, Entrepreneurship, and the Governance of Aspiration in India, explores the role of the state and technology start-ups in shaping digital futures.

Mertia is a former research associate of the Sarai Programme at the Center for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi and has served as the assistant editor of Public Culture. Supported by the NSF and NYU’s Urban Doctoral Fellowship, Mertia has also edited Lives of Data: Essays on Computational Cultures from India (2020). His work has been published in Economic & Political Weekly, The Fibreculture Journal, Computational Culture, and other platforms.

Rosana Cabán, Teaching Assistant Professor

Rosana Cabán has been appointed as a teaching assistant professor in the music and technology program, where she previously served as a lecturer. She holds an MFA in sound art from Columbia University and graduated from Berklee College of Music.

Previously, she taught at NYU Tisch, Columbia University, and Long Island University. A Puerto Rican-born, Brooklyn-based sound artist, Cabán is part of the music duo "cosas cosas" with Gabo Camnitzer. Together, they released the EP Mother Courage.

Cabán recently served as a guest collaborator-in-residence for Miguel Gutierrez and attended the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, where she composed music for the upcoming piece Super Nothing, set to premiere at New York Live Arts in January 2025. Her creative work has also included residencies at Marble House Project, Ace Hotel, and Montalvo Arts Center.

Virginia L. Conn, Teaching Assistant Professor

Virginia L. Conn has been appointed as a teaching assistant professor of writing and humanities. She previously served as a lecturer in the Foundations of Writing and Critical Inquiry program.

Conn earned a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Rutgers University, where she also worked as a lecturer. She is the managing editor of the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA) Review, serves on the Palgrave SFF: A New Canon editorial advisory board, and is affiliated with the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI).

Conn specializes in the study of socialist science fiction, particularly its role in shaping policy decisions in Mao-era China, Soviet Russia, and East Germany. She is currently developing a book manuscript exploring the relationship between socialist literary policies and broader sociopolitical and technological efforts to create the “new human” in daily life.

Over the past year, Conn edited a special issue of the SFRA Review on socialist science fiction and contributed an essay to Chinese Science Fiction: Concepts, Forms, and Histories, which discussed the challenges of categorizing Chinese science fiction in the global publishing landscape.

Sean Cashbaugh, Teaching Assistant Professor

Sean Cashbaugh has joined the HASS faculty as a teaching assistant professor in the First Year Experience and humanities programs. Previously, he served as a lecturer in the Princeton Writing Program at Princeton University and worked as a professional writing consultant and adjunct instructor at Stevens.

Cashbaugh earned his Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. His research centers on American cultural history, cultures of American radicalism, political aesthetics, cultural theory, underground culture, and writing pedagogy.

He is currently engaged in two major projects: one exploring the history of underground culture in the United States and another analyzing the interplay between labor and culture.

Mel Ferrara, Teaching Assistant Professor

Mel Ferrara has been appointed as a teaching assistant professor of writing and humanities. They previously served as a lecturer in the Foundations of Writing and Critical Inquiry program.

Ferrara earned their Ph.D. in gender and women's studies with a minor in social, cultural, and critical theory from the University of Arizona. Before joining Stevens, they taught at the University of Arizona, Muhlenberg College, Temple University, and Lehigh University.

Ferrara is a Point Foundation alumnx. Their research spans feminist science and technology studies, medical humanities, and trans and intersex studies. Supported by the NSF’s GFRP, their doctoral research explored the biomedicalization of 47,XXY/Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) and its impact on social experiences and parenting.

They recently published a book chapter titled “Inconceivable: Cisnormativity and the Management of Trans and Intersex Reproduction” in A Companion to the Anthropology of Reproductive Medicine and Technology.

Brigida Hernandez, Lecturer

Brigida Hernandez has joined the HASS faculty as a lecturer in psychology. Previously, she worked as an assistant professor at DePaul University and as an associate professor at CUNY New York City College of Technology, where she played a key role in establishing an associate's degree in health sciences and its distance learning option.

Additionally, she has experience in healthcare administration as the director and chief research officer at YAI, a nonprofit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hernandez earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northwestern University. Her research focuses on disability rights, employment, and healthcare, with an emphasis on community inclusion for people with disabilities.

Cormack Published How to Raise a Citizen

Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, published her book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It). The guide provided parents and educators with tools to engage children in political discussions, highlighting the declining role of schools in civic education.

Cormack offered strategies for explaining democracy, the voting process, and the workings of the U.S. government. The book included data on American civic knowledge, a framework for starting political conversations at home, detailed explanations of federalism, and tips for navigating elections. With its actionable advice, How to Raise a Citizen aimed to help parents raise informed and active citizens.

To promote the book, Cormack appeared on several popular podcasts, including Bloomberg Businessweek, Education for Sustainable Democracy, The Great Battlefield, The Politics Guys, Carolina Democracy, Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready, and Talking to Teens. Her book was also discussed on Kare 11, an NBC affiliate, and she contributed an opinion piece to the New Jersey Globe.

Media outlets turned to Cormack over the summer for insight when Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee. In an interview with The 74, Cormack discussed how Harris reinvigorated Gen Z's enthusiasm on social media. Speaking with The Hill, she explained how Harris quickly garnered enough support to secure the party's nomination.

MacPhail Wrote for The Guardian

Theresa MacPhail, an associate professor of science and technology studies, authored the Guardian article "Blood, Sweat and Testes: Rich Men Have Always Wanted to Live Forever." The piece examined the historical and modern obsession with anti-aging treatments, focusing on how wealthy men—from Louis XIII to contemporary tech entrepreneurs like Bryan Johnson—have pursued ways to defy aging through questionable and often risky methods.

MacPhail argued that these efforts reflect society's enduring desire to conquer mortality. "But even if we did and we could come up with miracle anti-ageing treatments, who exactly would benefit?" she wrote. "If history is any indication, it’s not regular folks like you or me. It’s mostly going to be rich, white men like Louis XIII was."

MacPhail concluded, "And although our current obsession with living forever is generating some fascinating scientific research and driving a surge in funding, none of this is new."

Wellerstein Published Doomsday Machines

Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor of science and technology studies, launched a new Substack blog, Doomsday Machines, dedicated to exploring the post-apocalyptic imagination in both fact and fiction.

The blog, free to subscribe to, highlights Oregon Road '83, a video game project that Wellerstein has been developing with Stevens students over the past several years. Substack designated Doomsday Machines as a "2024 Featured Publication."

Guerriero's Song Featured in 'New Music Friday'

Michael Guerriero, an adjunct professor in music and technology, co-wrote Mishaal Tamer's song "Baba Fein." Over the summer, the track was featured on Spotify's coveted US New Music Friday playlist, reaching over 4 million listeners.

Horgan Hosted Panel and Was Cited by The New York Times

John Horgan, a teaching assistant professor and director of the Center for Science Writings, moderated a panel titled "Awakening to Truth: Consciousness as the Fundamental Reality." During the discussion, Deepak Chopra and other experts debated whether the universe is primarily composed of consciousness rather than matter. The event took place at Sages & Scientists, a three-day conference hosted by the Chopra Foundation in Cambridge.

Over the summer, The New York Times also cited Horgan in its obituary for Frederick Crews, a literary scholar and fierce critic of Freud.

Burke's AP Campus Insights Interview

An AP Campus Insights Project interview with Michelle Burke, a teaching assistant professor, about her class's project on mental health and social media, was featured in a video piece produced by Fox. The segment was widely distributed, airing 134 times across more than 80 U.S. markets. The project had previously been highlighted on ABC News Extra Time.

Alum Featured on PBS NewsHour

Ava Smithing, a 2023 graduate with a bachelor's degree in business and technology and a minor in pre-law and public policy, was recently featured on PBS NewsHour.

Smithing now works at the Young People's Alliance in Washington, D.C., where she has been instrumental in promoting legislation in Congress aimed at protecting minors from social media dangers.

Amber Benezra Named David and G.G. Farber Junior Faculty Fellow

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences named Amber Benezra, an assistant professor and sociocultural anthropologist, as the recipient of the David and G.G. Farber Junior Faculty Fellow in Science and Technology Studies. Established by Stevens Trustee Emeritus Dr. David Farber and his late wife, Gloria, the fellowship supported faculty in raising public awareness about the social impacts of scientific and technological development.

Benezra’s research focused on the human microbiome and its role in global public health issues like malnutrition. She collaborated with scientists to understand how microbes affect health and illness, emphasizing the importance of integrating social justice into scientific practices. “Solving engineering problems, developing medical technologies, and innovating don't matter if we aren't accounting for the social, structural drivers of these problems,” said Benezra. “Working ethically, equitably, and in partnership with each other is the only way science and tech is going to be effective.”

Her work culminated in the book Gut Anthro: An Experiment in Thinking with Microbes, which explored the intersection of microbiome research and social determinants of health.

In September, Benezra also participated in the Gairdner Global Perspectives Panel, "The Microbiome: From Planetary to Microbial Scale." Composed of experts including Benezra and Gairdner Early Career Investigators, the panel discussed how microbiota research drives advancements in immunology, cancer, and experimental systems. The discussion considered broader scientific and ethical implications, emphasizing how humans are shaped by their interactions with both micro and macro environments.

New Book Co-Edited by Dayal Released

Spider-Mother: The Fiction and Politics of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, co-edited by Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor of literature, was recently released by Warbler Press. Co-edited with Ben Baer, an associate professor of comparative literature at Princeton University, the volume features translated stories and essays by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, a pioneering Bengali feminist, activist, writer, and educator.

Hossain’s works, including her groundbreaking feminist utopia Sultana’s Dream (1905), explore the intersections of gender oppression in colonial Bengal and the potential of scientific and technological advancements. The book includes a foreword by NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif and artwork by Chitra Ganesh, whose illustrations, inspired by Hossain's writing, are part of the Whitney Museum’s permanent collection.

Nowacek Opened Exhibit at Mana Contemporary

Nancy Nowacek, an associate professor of visual arts and technology, recently opened the exhibition Missing Context Long Overdue at Mana Contemporary in New Jersey, in collaboration with artist Allison Rowe. The exhibition examines themes of gendered fatigue through various media, including photos, monoprints, paintings, and videos, drawing from personal experiences and research into the overlooked exhaustion endured by women and femme bodies.

Inspired by studies from scientists Alana M.C. Brown and Nicole J. Gervais, which call for sex-based approaches to sleep disorder research, Nowacek and Rowe brought visibility to this often-dismissed suffering, offering a platform to address this deeply personal yet universal struggle.

Campus Point Connection: How to Raise a Citizen

At a Campus Point Connection event at the Hoboken Public Library, Lindsey Cormack, associate professor of political science at Stevens Institute of Technology, discussed her book How to Raise a Citizen: And Why It’s Up to You to Do It. She was joined by Jennifer Giattino, the late Hoboken City Council President; Emily Jabbour, Hoboken City Council Member; and Jennifer McBryan, associate dean of undergraduate studies and teaching associate professor at Stevens.

The panel shared strategies for engaging children in civic responsibility and fostering political dialogue at home. Based on Cormack’s book, the discussion focused on helping parents support the development of informed and active community members.

Manzione Joined Civitai’s Artist-in-Residence Program

Christopher Manzione, an associate professor of visual arts and technology, recently participated in Civitai’s Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program, an incubator dedicated to exploring the creative potential of generative AI. The two-month residency invited artists, researchers, and technologists to develop and showcase their work in a digital studio, engaging with a community of over 5 million monthly visitors.

Manzione used artificial intelligence to reimagine 2001: A Space Odyssey, presenting the iconic film through the lens of visual art's historical evolution. The project transformed each section of the movie to reflect different artistic eras, ranging from cave paintings to modern techniques.

Manzione’s project mirrored the original film's progression from pre-awareness to advanced technology. To complete the work, he invited other artists to contribute to the final AI-generated version. “2001: A Space Odyssey has been a film that resonated with me for most of my life, especially when thinking about AI and imagery," said Manzione during Civitai's roundtable discussion.

Music and Technology Students Performed at Africa-US Presidential Forum

Three music and technology students—James Hooker, Daniel Stein, and Jonathan Mendler—performed at the Second Annual Africa-US Presidential Forum held at Stevens in September. Carlos Alomar, HASS's distinguished artist-in-residence, collaborated with the students to prepare short interstitial musical pieces, along with a trio arrangement of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Their performances took place between speeches by Stevens President Nariman Farvardin, the Presidents of Malawi and Sierra Leone, and other distinguished guests.

Lockett Published Two Articles

William Lockett, a lecturer of science and technology studies, published two academic articles. The first article, "Autistic Mental Schema and the Graphical User Interface circa 1968," published in Catalyst: feminism, theory, technoscience, explored how early graphical user interfaces (GUIs) shaped mental schemas, focusing on the use of the LOGO programming language for special needs education. Combining historical and philosophical ideas with neuroqueer theory, the article concluded that digital technology and mental diversity intersect in ways that illuminate the aesthetics of resistance, offering a deeper political and philosophical understanding of how people engage with computational tools.

The second article, "Robust Myco-Composites: A Biocomposite Platform for Versatile Hybrid-Living Materials," co-authored and published in Materials Horizons, presented research in hybrid-living materials, highlighting the creation of strong, scalable biocomposites using fungal mycelium and additive manufacturing techniques. A significant advancement in living materials research, the method made mycelium materials 15 times stronger, allowing for the creation of foldable containers and flexible fabrics.

Congress of Philosophy

Aysegul Durakoglu, a teaching professor of music and technology, participated in the 25th World Congress of Philosophy, which was held at Sapienza University in Rome, Italy. Themed "Philosophy Across Boundaries," the gathering brought together philosophers and scholars from around the world. Durakoglu contributed as a round table chair and delivered a presentation on the music and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. She previously published the book Nietzsche and Music: Philosophical Thoughts and Musical Experiments, coedited with Yunus Tuncel and Michael Steinmann, a professor of philosophy at Stevens.

Interviews with the AP Campus Insights Project

The AP Campus Insights Project at Stevens Institute of Technology connected academic experts with global news organizations through interviews produced in collaboration with The Associated Press. Lindsey Swindall, a historian and teaching associate professor, and Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, recently participated in interviews discussing topics in their fields of expertise.

Swindall Discussed Harris’s Presidential Nomination

Lindsey Swindall reacted to the news of Vice President Kamala Harris replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. “I think the nomination of Harris to the Democratic Party for the presidency is a major shift,” Swindall said. “Thinking about the history of African American women in national politics, there have only been around fifty-seven African American women to serve in Congress in the history of the country. To see somebody in this very visible role, I think is a really important shift.”

Cormack Addressed Challenges in Teaching Civics

Lindsey Cormack shared insights from her research for her book, How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It’s Up to You to Do It), highlighting the difficulties teachers faced when teaching civics. “They worry that if a child hears something and shares it with a parent, that parent might think their child is being indoctrinated or brainwashed,” Cormack explained. “This could lead to the parent stirring up a Facebook group, writing to a principal or administrator, or even confronting the teachers directly.”

Recognizing these challenges, Cormack authored her book to help parents engage in civic discussions at home. She also published an op-ed for MarketWatch titled "Use the Presidential Election to Teach Kids About Politics, Not Partisanship." In the article, Cormack outlined four key guidelines for parents: acting as a sounding board for their kids, doing their homework on local politics, researching the candidates, and bringing their kids to vote. These steps encouraged parents to model productive civic engagement and help children navigate politics beyond partisanship.

New York Times Quoted Wellerstein

Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor of science and technology studies, was quoted in The New York Times article "An Old Clash Heats Up Over Oppenheimer’s Red Ties." The article revisited debates over J. Robert Oppenheimer’s alleged Communist ties, reignited by the release of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer film and new historical analysis.

Wellerstein observed that Oppenheimer’s downfall stemmed from both personal and external factors. Beyond fearing imprisonment, Oppenheimer suffered the collapse of his public and professional life, which silenced him. “The loss of his access to power was psychologically crippling. It broke him,” Wellerstein said, adding that this led to Oppenheimer’s withdrawal and eventual decline into “an increasingly depressed figure, drinking himself into oblivion.”

Manzione and King Discussed AI in Education

Christopher Manzione and Jonah King, an associate professor and an assistant professor of visual arts and technology, respectively, participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Civitai on the role of AI in education. The conversation explored how generative AI is being integrated into creative processes and teaching methods, reshaping both technological and artistic practices.

Fanning Launched Show&Tell

Alyssa Fanning, an adjunct professor of visual arts and technology, launched Show&Tell, a series of artist talks, last spring with artists Michael Aaron Lee and Patrick Neal. The bi-monthly event featured creatives presenting their work live, followed by a Q&A and meet-and-greet. In November, the series will showcase New York-based painters Jason Stopa and Gaby Collins-Fernandez at the New York Irish Center.

Cormack Discussed Politics and Civic Engagement

Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, was featured on NJ Spotlight News's Chat Box, where she discussed her book How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It). She shared advice on talking politics with children and navigating holiday conversations with family and friends.

Cormack was also quoted in Big Think’s article "Americans Don’t Understand Their Government. They’re Paying the Price," addressing the challenges posed by a lack of political knowledge and its impact on civic engagement.

Campus Point Connection: Luther: Never Too Much

Stevens hosted a special Campus Point Connection featuring a screening of Luther: Never Too Much, a new documentary by acclaimed director Dawn Porter. The documentary explored the life and legacy of Grammy-winning artist Luther Vandross, known for his iconic contributions to R&B and soul music.

Following the screening, a panel featuring Vandross’s closest friends and collaborators provided a unique glimpse into his life and legacy. Panelists included Carlos Alomar, HASS's distinguished artist-in-residence; Nat Adderley Jr., Vandross’s musical director; singers Robin Clark and Tawatha Agee; and Leah Smith, producer of the Vandross Trilogy films. Moderated by Christian John Wilkane, the discussion offered personal stories and professional insights, celebrating Vandross’s artistry and enduring impact on R&B and soul music.

Campus Point Connection: Art by Humans and Machines

Larry O’Gorman, a Fellow at Nokia Bell Labs and a researcher in machine learning, gave a lecture at a Campus Point Connection event, exploring how art and technology combine to create interactive experiences. The talk traced the history of tech-enhanced artworks, including Bell Labs' collaborations with artists like Robert Rauschenberg and Merce Cunningham in the 1960s.

O’Gorman explained the methodologies behind interactive art, focusing on the use of video, audio, biometrics, and machine learning to engage audiences. He presented projects such as Brooklyn Blooms, Pixelpalooza, Butterflies Alight!, and Omnia Per Omnia, which demonstrate how technology is transforming artistic expression.

With more than 40 patents and years of experience in research and teaching, O’Gorman showed how advancements in machine learning and sensor technologies are shaping new forms of creativity and redefining the art world.

Philip Ball Spoke at the Center for Science Writings

Philip Ball, an acclaimed science writer, joined John Horgan, director of the Center for Science Writings, for a discussion about Ball’s latest book, How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology. Bestselling author Siddhartha Mukherjee called the book “exciting” and “unputdownable.” The conversation explored challenges to gene-centric biology and proposed bold new perspectives on the nature of life.

Lockett and Packer Presented at 2024 International Surrealism Conference

Will Lockett, a lecturer in science and technology studies, and Allyson Packer, a teaching assistant professor in visual arts and technology, participated in the 2024 International Society for the Study of Surrealisms Conference in Paris. Their panel, Surrealism in the Contemporary Art-Science Nexus, featured Lockett’s paper, “Liquid Intelligence for Cybernetic Tchotchkes,” and Packer’s video, Time of the Broken Yolk, which explored surrealist approaches to technology in contemporary creative practices.

Madison Heller Published in The Stute

Madison Heller, a literature major, published an article in The Stute on Ryka Aoki’s novel Light from Uncommon Stars and the semester’s "Queer Fiction" course taught by Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor.

"Light from Uncommon Stars is a unique book that crosses many genres and different types of characters," wrote Heller. "Talking about a book with people who care improves the experience tenfold." The novel explored themes of identity, resilience, and love through its diverse cast, including a trans violinist, a music teacher, and a family of refugees. Heller praised the course for its engaging discussions and the joy of analyzing contemporary works with peers.

Music and Technology Students Attended Audio Engineering Society Show

Eight music and technology students attended the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Show at the Javits Center in Manhattan. Supported by HASS, the group explored one of the largest annual music industry events on the east coast.

They were joined by Rosana Cabán and Teresa Nakra, respectively a teaching assistant professor and a professor of music and technology, along with Nicole Malantchouk, HASS’s director of student success. The event featured exhibits, talks, and networking opportunities, helping students connect with industry leaders and explore potential paths for collaboration, mentorship, and career growth.

Music and Technology Students Collaborated at Second Take Sound Studio

Students in the music and technology program's Sound Recording III course, led by lecturer Michael Flannery, participated in a recording session at Second Take Sound Studio in Manhattan. The session featured the legendary Nuyorican Soul musicians performing original compositions and traditional Cuban songs interpreted by Abraham Rodriguez Jr.

This collaboration with the Yangchenma Record Label will result in a full-length album scheduled for release in 2025. Participating students worked on mixes for potential inclusion in the final release, showcasing their technical and creative skills.

Stevens Students and Alumni Shined in Hoboken's Music Scene

A recent NJ.com article spotlighting Hoboken’s burgeoning music scene featured Stevens students enrolled in music and technology courses. They headlined a self-promoted show at the Neumann Leathers Building in Hoboken in November, performing as members of two indie-rock bands, Shwank and Dale.

Shwank, led by guitarist James Hooker, included Liam Cunningham on saxophone, Sahil Navani on bass, and Diego Ramirez on drums. Mikey Brewer, who previously played drums for the band before graduating, recorded a double-length live album titled Meditation & Vegetation at Stevens.

Dale, formed two years ago, featured Aidan Williams-Healey on guitar, alongside bassist and vocalist Brandt Ryan, drummer Daniel Korzen, and guitarist Eli Henderson. The band described their sound as a mix of punk, shoegaze, and noise rock, with plans for future recordings.

Music Business Class Welcomed Industry Experts

Michael Guerriero, an adjunct professor in music and technology, invited a lineup of industry professionals to speak in his Music Business II course.

Guest speakers included Joe Totino, a composer at Warner Chappell Production Music; Debi Wylde, vice president of creative and administration at Sony Music Publishing; and attorney Wallace Collins, who discussed contracts and copyrights. Stevens alumnus Stephen Dranto (Phendste) shared his journey as a full-time artist with over 386,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

The semester concluded with Peter Gray, an executive vice president and head of promotion at Columbia Records.

Amber Benezra Co-Authored Justice-Focused Study on Wastewater Surveillance

Amber Benezra, an assistant professor of science and technology and the David and G.G. Farber Junior Faculty Fellow, co-authored the academic article Making Waves: A Justice-Centered Framework for Wastewater-Based Public Health Surveillance, published in Water Research.

The study addressed the ethical dimensions of wastewater-based surveillance, a public health tool widely used since 2020. The authors proposed a justice-centered framework grounded in Nancy Fraser's principles of maldistribution, misrecognition, and exclusion, emphasizing the need for site-specific frameworks to ensure global water and health equity.

Cormack Explored Civic Education and Citizenship

Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science and author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It), participated in two events.

In November, she joined David Litt, former Obama speechwriter and New York Times bestselling author, at the Crossroads conference in Asbury Park, NJ, to discuss themes of civic engagement and parenting. In December, she appeared virtually at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to discuss the role of parents in teaching civic education.

Tris McCall: Songs & Stories

Michael Flannery, a lecturer in music and technology, performed with Tris McCall at Art House Productions in Jersey City. The event celebrated the release of McCall's record and book, American Almanac, for which Flannery served as both producer of the album and music director for the show.

Dayal and Baer Presented Spider-Mother at Princeton

Smaran Dayal, an assistant professor of literature at Stevens, and Ben Baer, an associate professor of comparative literature at Princeton University, presented their recently released book Spider-Mother: The Fiction and Politics of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain to a full lecture hall at Princeton University's Center for Global India on November 21, 2024.

The event highlighted Hossain's feminist and political works, including Sultana's Dream (1905), which is featured in the book. Dayal and Baer discussed how Hossain’s writings intertwine themes of gender oppression, colonialism, and the possibilities of scientific and technological advancements. The presentation offered attendees a deep dive into the Bengali writer’s visionary contributions to global literature and politics.

Burke’s Poetry Students Attended Nuyorican Bowery Slam

Michelle Burke, a teaching assistant professor of writing and humanities, accompanied her Introduction to Poetry Writing (HLI 227) students to the Nuyorican Bowery Slam at the iconic Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan on November 4, 2024.

Students witnessed fifteen poets perform their original work in a lively competition judged by volunteers from the audience. The event, part of the temporary programming of the Nuyorican Poets Café while it undergoes renovations, showcased the venue’s legacy as a space for minority artists and activists since its founding in 1973 by Puerto Rican poet Miguel Algarín.

The experience immersed students in the vibrant culture of spoken-word poetry, offering inspiration and insight into the transformative power of poetry as a medium for social empowerment and artistic expression.