Edward Schiappa

Edward Schiappa is the John E. Burchard Professor of Humanities and Professor of Comparative Media Studies/Writing in MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He served as Head of Comparative Media Studies/Writing from 2013 to 2019 and was former Co-chair of the Gender Equity Committee. An American scholar specializing in communication and rhetoric within the field of Communications, Schiappa earned his B.S. magna cum laude from Kansas State University in 1980, followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in 1989. His academic career includes early teaching and debate coaching at Kansas State University, Directorship of Graduate Studies in Communication at Purdue University, and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota from 1995 until joining MIT in 2013.

Schiappa conducts research in classical rhetoric, contemporary rhetorical theory, argumentation, media influence, popular culture, persuasion, and the intersection of rhetoric and psychology. He built his reputation studying ancient Greek rhetoric, particularly the Sophists, and later focused on contemporary mass media effects, employing quantitative audience measurement. He formulated the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis, which posits that mediated exposure influences social attitudes toward out-groups similarly to interpersonal contact; empirical studies on television programs like "Will & Grace," "Six Feet Under," and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" showed positive shifts in attitudes toward gay individuals, especially among those with limited personal interactions. Schiappa has authored twelve books, including "Protagoras and Logos: A Study in Greek Philosophy and Rhetoric," "The Beginnings of Rhetorical Theory in Classical Greece" (1999), "Defining Reality: Definitions and the Politics of Meaning" (2003), "Argumentation: Keeping Faith With Reason" (2014), and his latest "The Transgender Exigency." He has published numerous articles in leading journals such as Philosophy & Rhetoric, Argumentation, Communication Monographs, and Communication Theory, with highly cited works like "The Parasocial Contact Hypothesis" (2005) and "Can One TV Show Make a Difference?" (2006). In 2009, he was named a Distinguished Scholar by the National Communication Association for contributions to persuasion, media effects, and argumentation. Schiappa formerly edited Argumentation & Advocacy.

Professional Email: schiappa@mit.edu