CS Alum Avriel Epps recognized for her research and music

On April 7th, 2014 I was honored to be invited to present my research on pro and antisocial lyrical themes found in rap music at the Broadcast Educators Association conference in Las Vegas, NV. The conference, in collaboration with the National Association of Broadcasters, is focused on both scholarly and educational contributions and advancements in the broadcast field. While presenting my paper, I had the opportunity to share a hall with professors, grad students, educational professors, and technological innovators who enthusiastically engaged with my poster presentation. The session I presented in focused on issues of race, gender, and class in the realm of new media. Other presenters’ work explored equally fascinating areas that ranged from racial dialogues happening on satellite radio, racial segregation in online spaces, and using social media as a marketing tool to target African American women who watch popular prime time drama “Scandal.” The feedback I received was encouraging, many asked thought provoking questions around how an analysis on gender would affect my findings, and how consumers interpreted their own media consumption patterns. Although I was only able to attend the conference for one day, I was able to attend several other presentations and found the work that other researchers were conducting around social media most fascinating. The panel I found most interesting was one that explored the ways in which gender and body image are depicted in Electronic Visual Media entitled “Wonder Woman Doesn’t Twerk.” Overall my conference experience was illuminating and fruitful, and I am looking forward to submitting my work to BEA again next year!Recently, New York Times Magazine published an article highlighting Avriel and her music entitled “Newcomer King Avriel Makes Neo-Soul that Doesn’t Shy Away From Big Ideas.”  To read the complete article visit: