J.J. Sylvia IV

J.J. is an Assistant Professor of Communications Media at Fitchburg State University. He teaches and writes about the impacts of big data, algorithms, and other digital media on our construction as subjects, exploring questions such as how media shape our understanding of what it means to be human, how we determine truth, and how our answers to these questions shape our democratic systems.

Current Research Projects: JJ's developing a posthuman media studies based on a materialist information ontology that allows for understanding processes of subjectivation via experimental big data projects.
Teaching Portfolio: JJ has taught philosophy, communication, English, and Science, Technology and Society courses. Learn about the ways that he has implemented gamification, critical making, and social media in his classes.
Publications: See JJ's publications and collaborations ranging work in the International Journal of Communication to forums on the HASTAC network.

Education

  • Ph.D. 2017

    Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media

    North Carolina State University

  • M.A. 2009

    Philosophy

    The University of Southern Mississippi

  • B.A. 2005

    Communication and Philosophy

    Mississippi State University

Awards and Honors

  • 2019
    International Conference Travel Grant
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    Travel grant for Association of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication annual conference. Office of the Provost, Fitchburg State University, $700.
  • 2019
    Grant from The Massachusetts Open Education – Achieving Success for All project committee
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    Funded OER Course Materials Development. $1000.
  • 2019
    Amelia V. Gallucci - Cirio Endowment of the Center for Italian Culture Grant
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    Funded research in Italy. Fitchburg State University. $2000
  • 2019
    Innovation Grant
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    Grant from the Center for Teaching and Learning to integrate 3D printing into the classroom. Fitchburg State University. $500.
  • 2019
    Pedagogy Discussion Group Grant
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    Pedagogy Discussion Group grant from the Center for Teaching and Learning to research the teaching of fake news. Fitchburg State University. $600
  • 2019
    Top Paper Award, Communication and Philosophy
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    Top Paper Panel, Philosophy of Communication Division, Eastern Communication Association Annual Conference.
  • 2018
    Seed grant for SOPHIA of Worcester County
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    Seed grant for Worcester County Society of Philosophers in America chapter, Society of Philosophers in America. $600
  • 2018
    Crocker Center Civic Engagement Grant
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    Grant for Public Ethics Discussion Civic Engagement project, Crocker Center, Fitchburg State University, $1,000.
  • 2018
    Becoming Data Augmented Reality Grant
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    Special Projects Grant for “Becoming Data: An Augmented Reality Experience,” Office of the Provost, Fitchburg State University, $2,500.
  • 2016
    Big Data and the Rhetoric of Information
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    North Carolina State University. Custom special topics course selected from applicant pool and offered to undergraduate students.
  • 2015
    Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching
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    Awarded to those who “exemplify outstanding teaching and mentoring and go beyond what is required of them.” North Carolina State University Graduate Student Association.
  • 2014
    Scholar in Duke's PhD Lab in Digital Knowledge
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    Selected as Scholar. Launched in 2012, the PhD Lab in Digital Knowledge, housed within the Franklin Humanities Institute, provides an arena in which PhD students in humanities and interpretive social sciences can learn about new digital scholarship, engage with its challenges, and see its promise for their own research and professional lives within or outside the university. Innovations in the digital, informational, and computational fields are generating new forms of pedagogy and shaping novel modes of scholarship. They are widening our collaborative communities and expanding the publics with whom PhD candidates will engage.
  • 2014
    HASTAC Fellowship
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    The HASTAC Scholars fellowship program is an innovative student-driven community of graduate and undergraduate students. Each year a new cohort is accepted into the program. More than 800 HASTAC Scholars in dozens of disciplines have been sponsored by 145 colleges and universities–ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large Research 1 institutions. We are building a community of students working at the intersection of technology and the arts, humanities and sciences. As HASTAC Scholars, we blog, host online forums, develop new projects and organize events. Much of our work here centers around rethinking pedagogy, learning, research & academia for the digital age.
  • 2014
    Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching
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    The Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching program offers graduate students a chance to demonstrate their commitment to teaching excellence through training, evaluation, and recognition. Through critical reflection and application, participants learn the fundamental components of pedagogy, enriching their personal growth and professional development in teaching and learning. North Carolina State University.
  • 2010
    Constancia Por impartir el Curso de Capacitación Becarios para la Inclusión Tecnológica del Programa UNETE
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    Awarded by La Secretaría de Educación de Veracruz for the training of Digital Opportunity Trust members in integrating technology in education.
  • 2009
    Top Paper Award, Philosophy and Religion
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    The University of Southern Mississippi Graduate Symposium.
  • 2008
    Thomas A. Blanton Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Philosophy
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    The University of Southern Mississippi
  • 2008
    Top Graduate Student Paper Award, Mississippi Philosophical Association Conference
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  • 2008
    Top Paper Award, Philosophy and Religion
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    The University of Southern Mississippi Graduate Student Symposium