PULLMAN, Wash. – The ways in which the Olympic Games represent America and how their mass consumption affects identity will be presented in a free, public talk by author and professor Andrew Billings at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in Cleveland 30E.
His research interests lie in the intersection of sport, mass media, consumption habits and identity-laden content.
“His research uncovers important findings regarding American society and its position in a broader world,” said Simon Licen, a WSU sport management professor who has collaborated with Billings since 2007, resulting in several co-authored scholarly articles. “In a way, it embodies the increasingly strong global focus and reach of Washington State University.”
Billings has published nine books that have been translated into five languages. “Olympic Media: Inside the Biggest Show on Television” intertwined research findings with interviews with leading NBC Olympics broadcasters such as Dick Ebersol and Bob Costas.
Billings is director of the Alabama Program in Sports Communication and is Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting in the Department of Telecommunication & Film at the University of Alabama.
His visit is hosted by the sport management program in the WSU College of Education and Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.