June 14, 2010 | Faculty

James Schwoch Named to Qatar Leadership Post

Will become senior associate dean for School of Communication program

James Schwoch, associate professor of communication studies, has been appointed senior associate dean for the School of Communication program at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), effective Aug. 1.

Schwoch succeeds Mimi White, professor of radio/TV/film. White will return to the Evanston campus following her service at NU-Q and in helping launch the communication bachelor's degree program.

Schwoch is one of the founding faculty members of NU-Q. He has taught nearly every NU-Q student at one point or another, and he played a central role in developing the library collections at the Doha campus, according to John Margolis, dean and chief executive officer of NU-Q.

"Jim brings to his leadership of the communication program not only an intimate familiarity with NU-Q and its students but also a distinguished record as a scholar and teacher," Margolis said.

Schwoch's research and teaching are in the areas of global media, media history, global security, international studies, telecommunication and information policy and research methodologies. He has published five books, most recently "Global TV: New Media and the Cold War, 1946-69" (Illinois, 2009). Currently he is co-editing an anthology about satellites called "Down to Earth" for Rutgers University Press.

In addition, he has published 50 journal articles, book chapters, reviews and similar scholarly materials. His research has been funded by, among others, the Fulbright Commission, the Center for International and Comparative Studies, the Ford Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Prior to going to NU-Q in 2008, Schwoch convened a research seminar on technology, politics and culture at the Newberry Library of Chicago.