J.J. Sylvia IV

J.J. Sylvia IV, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Communications Media at Fitchburg State University, where he co-founded an undergraduate major in Digital Media Innovation and a Master’s in Applied Communication, Social Media. He researches the philosophy and ethics of communication, focusing on big data and posthuman media studies. His current projects include a book on LiveJournal and Russian disinformation, research on anti-fascist platform design rooted in fieldwork on Italian resistance movements, and rhetorical investigations of truth and democracy through immersive study in Greece. He is also the author of two OER textbooks and received the Massachusetts OER Gold Award in 2025 for his leadership in open education.

Research: J.J.’s current work includes a book on LiveJournal’s role in Russian disinformation, anti-fascist social media design inspired by Italian resistance movements, and rhetorical fieldwork in Greece on truth and democracy.
Teaching: J.J. teaches digital media innovation courses using AI tools, gamification, critical making, and student-centered experiential learning—both online and abroad.
Open Education: J.J. has published two OER textbooks and received the 2025 Massachusetts OER Gold Award for leadership in equitable, AI-informed, and accessible higher education.

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

Selected Awards

  • 2025
    2025 OER Faculty Gold Award
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    Awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s OER Advisory Council, this Gold Award recognizes outstanding leadership in developing and implementing Open Educational Resources. Recipients receive a $1,000 honorarium—Dr. J.J. Sylvia IV was honored on May 19, 2025 for his dual contributions to open textbook publishing and equitable access in higher education.
  • 2025
    OER & AI Fellowship for Resource Curation
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    Funded through a University of Virginia–based initiative in partnership with ISKME and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this fellowship supports higher-education practitioners in combining open educational resources with generative AI. As a 2025 awardee, Dr. Sylvia curated and contributed to emerging AI‑enhanced open resource platforms.
  • 2022
    Online Asynchronous Course of Distinction (Data & Analytics)
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    Recognized by Massachusetts Colleges Online, this award celebrates excellence in online teaching. Dr. Sylvia’s self-paced course, Data & Analytics, was honored for outstanding design and learner outcomes in asynchronous education systems.
  • 2022
    ROTEL Grant for creating 2 OER Textbooks
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    Awarded $8,000 through the Remixing Open Textbooks through an Equity Lens (ROTEL) initiative to author two OER textbooks, one for a Data & Society class and the other for Introduction to Communication and Media Studies.
  • 2019
    Top Paper Award, Communication and Philosophy
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    At the Eastern Communication Association Annual Conference, Dr. Sylvia’s scholarly work received top honors in his field. His panel was in the Philosophy of Communication Division, demonstrating leadership in theoretical inquiry and disciplinary discourse.
  • 2018
    Seed grant for SOPHIA of Worcester County
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    Received a seed grant from the Society of Philosophers in America to support the launch of the Worcester County chapter. Activities included organizing community philosophy events and facilitating structured public discussion groups within Communication Law & Ethics courses at Fitchburg State.