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Aram Sinnreich

Thought Leader

Aram Sinnreich is Professor and Chair of Communication Studies at American University, where he brings a critical scholarly lens to the intersections of digital media, surveillance capitalism, and the commercial exploitation of attention and data. His academic career has included positions at Rutgers University and research work at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, alongside earlier industry experience in music and media. His work connects intellectual property law, privacy rights, and the economics of digital platforms into a rigorous critique of contemporary media systems.

Last updated Jun 6, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Role
Professor & Chair, Communication Studies
Company
American University
Based
Washington, DC, United States
Years in industry
20 years

Bio

Aram Sinnreich is Professor and Chair of Communication Studies at American University, where he brings a critical scholarly lens to the intersections of digital media, surveillance capitalism, and the commercial exploitation of attention and data. His academic career has included positions at Rutgers University and research work at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, alongside earlier industry experience in music and media. His work connects intellectual property law, privacy rights, and the economics of digital platforms into a rigorous critique of contemporary media systems.

Career

  • Associate Professor, School of Communication

    American University · prior to chair appointment

  • Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information

    Rutgers University · approx. 2009-2015

  • Analyst / Researcher

    Pew Internet & American Life Project · early 2000s

  • Industry roles in music and media

    Various · late 1990s-early 2000s

Expertise & education

Expertise

Surveillance CapitalismDigital Privacy & Data RightsIntellectual Property & CopyrightPolitical Economy of Digital MediaAlgorithmic Systems & CulturePlatform Regulation & PolicyAttention EconomicsMedia Industry Criticism

Education

  • PhD, Communication, Columbia University
  • BA, New York University

Speaking topics

Surveillance Capitalism and the Ethics of Data-Driven AdvertisingIntellectual Property in the Digital AgePlatform Regulation and Digital RightsThe Political Economy of Attention and InformationAlgorithmic Culture and Democratic SocietyPrivacy Law and Commercial Data Collection

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Authored 'The Piracy Crusade,' a widely cited critique of media industry IP enforcement and its civil liberties implications
  • Authored 'Mashed Up: Music, Technology, and the Rise of Configurable Culture,' examining remix culture and digital media economics
  • Appointed Chair of Communication Studies at American University's School of Communication
  • Frequent expert commentator for major media outlets on technology policy, digital rights, and AdTech ethics
  • Co-authored 'The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property' as an accessible policy resource

Publications

  • The Piracy Crusade: How the Music Industry's War on Sharing Destroys Markets and Erodes Civil Liberties (University of Massachusetts Press, 2013)
  • Mashed Up: Music, Technology, and the Rise of Configurable Culture (University of Massachusetts Press, 2010)
  • The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (Yale University Press, 2019)
  • Music and the Digital Life (co-authored)
  • Various peer-reviewed articles in journals covering communication, media studies, and technology policy