Education
Ph.D., 2012, Temple University,School of Communication and Theater
Mass Media and Communications, Philadelphia, PA.
Dissertation title: The Digitalization of Music Culture: A Case Study Examining the Musician/Listener Relationship with Digital Technology
Committee: Fabienne Darling-Wolf (Chair), Michael Maynard, Hector Postigo, and Aram Sinnreich (External Reader).
M.A., 2006, Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication
Media Studies, Syracuse, NY.
Thesis title: Needs, Motives, and Behaviors in Computer-Mediated Communication: An Inductive Exploration of Social Networking Websites
* Catherine L. Covert Award for Research, Syracuse University, 2006
B.S., 2003, Drexel University,College of Media Arts and Design
Graphic Design, Philadelphia, PA.
Thesis title: An Oral History of Virginia Rehfuss
* A.J. Drexel Academic Scholarship * Drexel University Honors Program
Imperial College, Drexel University Study Abroad, London, UK, Sept. 2001- Dec. 2001
Research and Teaching Interests
Digital technology & culture, popular music studies, gender & communication, critical cultural studies, creative industries, digital communication, social media justice, digital history, and qualitative research methods.
Digital Project: In Progress
Ray, Mary Beth & Carrie Teresa. (2020 – Present). The Adolescentia Project: Public DigitalMusic Archive & Edited Book – www.adolescentiaproject.com
Archive Submission: https://tinyurl.com/adolescentia, Instagram: @adolescentia_.
Publications: Book
Ray, Mary Beth. (2017). Digital Connectivity and Music Culture – Artists & Accomplices. NYC: Palgrave MacMillan.
Publications: Article
Ray, Mary Beth & Matthieu Guitton. (2020). Beyond technology: Calling for critical inquiry on the cultural impact(s) of the Internet. Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 107(106306).
Publications: Chapters
Ray, Mary Beth. (2019). “MySpace Music’s Pivotal Role in the Digitalization of Music Culture”. In Consumer Identities: Agency, Media & Digital Culture. Eds. Candice Roberts & Ethan Lascity. Bristol, UK: Intellect.
Ray, Mary Beth. (2011). “’If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name’: Borders, Boundaries, and the Production of M.I.A.”. In Rock Brands: Selling Sound in a Media Saturated Culture. Ed. Beth Christian. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Publications: Review
Ray, Mary Beth. (2021). “Digital Media Review: Women Who Rock Digital Oral History Archive.” American Journalism, Vol. 38(3).
Publications: In Progress
Ray, Mary Beth, & Laura Dykstra. “A culture of honor: Violence as a form of female agency in American popular country music.” (Journal Article)
Peer Reviewed Conference Presentations
“Identity, Gender, and Ideology in Adolescence: Helium’s Pirate Prude”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Gender & Media Studies Area, Virtual, April 13-16, 2022.
“The Adolescentia Project: Music Culture, Adolescence, and Identity”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Music Area, Virtual, Nov. 7-9, 2021.
“The Adolescentia Project: Albums that meant the world to our 14-year-old selves”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Music Area, Boston, MA, June 2-5, 2021.
“Hashtag Activism’s Relationship to Gender Representation and Creative Industry”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, Philadelphia, PA, April 15-18, 2020.
*Panel Chair, “Selling and Being Sold on Social Media” (Covid Cancellation)
“Rock Music Journalism Surrounding #MeToo”, Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA), Music Area, Portsmouth, NH, November 15-16, 2019.
“Violence, Honor, & Female Agency in American Country Music”, Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA), Music Area, Portsmouth, NH, November 15-16, 2019.
“Hegemonic Discourse in #MeToo Era Rock Music Journalism”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Music Area, Pittsburgh, PA, November 7-9, 2019.
“Representation(s) of Gender in Popular Music Journalism”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Women’s Studies Area, Washington, DC, April 17-20, 2019.
*Panel Chair, “Talking Intersectionality: Gender, Class, Race, and More”
“Popular Music Journalism’s Gendered Preconceptions & Digital Discourse: Gender, Representation, and Social Media”, Society for Cinema & Media Studies (SCMS) Conference, Seattle, WA, March 13-17, 2019.
*Panel Chair, “Net Culture vs. IRL”
“Digital Sites of Resistance? Female Musician’s Social Media Spaces”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, Indianapolis, IN, March 28-31, 2018.
*Panel Chair, “Interactive Communities & Professional Creative Culture”
“Artists & Accomplices in Fair Trade Music Culture”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, San Diego, CA, April 12-15, 2017.
*Panel Chair, “Community Work & Non Work: Media Co-Production”
“Opportunities & Challenges: Digital Connectivity & the Logistics of Music Consumption”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, Seattle, WA, March 22-25, 2016.
*Panel Chair, “Media Audiences & Distribution in the Digital Sphere”
“Personal and Social Structures in the Everyday: Exploring the Intersection of Digital Connectivity and Music Culture”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, New Orleans, LA, April 1-4, 2015.
*Panel Chair, “Audiences, Influencers, & Co-Production”
“Spotify: On Demand Digital Music Streaming”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Special Session: High Density Popular Culture Crash Course, Baltimore, MD, November 6-8, 2014.
“The Value of the College Internship: Acquiring Cultural Capital through a Well- Managed Collegiate Program”, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference, Internships and Careers Interest Group, Montreal, QC, Canada, August 6-9, 2014.
“The Value of the College Internship: Acquiring Cultural Capital through a Well- Managed Collegiate Program”, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Pre- Conference Workshop Session, Internships and Careers Interest Group, Montreal, QC, Canada, August 5, 2014.
“CASH Music: Technology-Mediated Social Participation and Cultural Sustainability”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Area, Chicago, IL, April 16-19, 2014.
*Panel Chair, “Cultural and Commercial Community on the Internet”
“Compensation in Contemporary Creative Industries: Digital Music Streaming and Artist Royalties”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Music Division, Atlantic City, NJ, November 7-9, 2013.
*Panel Chair, “Media, & Social Construction”
“Music in the Cloud: The Impact of Networked Mobility on Popular Music Consumption”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Communication & Digital Culture Area, Washington, DC, March 27-30, 2013.
*Panel Chair, “Mobility, the Body, and the Interface”
“Mediating Value: Team Clermont’s Strategic Approach to Fostering Artist-Audience Connections”, International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) Conference, Liminality & Borderlands, University of Texas, Austin, TX, February 28 -March 3, 2013.
*Panel Proposal Author, “Exploring Music, Media, Mediators, and Meanings at the Crossroads”
“Artists and Audiences: Experiencing Everyday Life Together”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Music Division, Pittsburgh, PA November 1-3, 2012.
*Panel Chair, “Music, Media, & Social Construction”
“’You have made your world mine’: Musician, Audience, & Online Community”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Music Division, Boston, MA April 11-14, 2012.
“A Rat Girl’s CASH: Online Community as a Component of Sustainable Music Culture”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA) Conference, Internet Culture Division, Philadelphia, PA, November 3-5, 2011.
“Shaking Through the Music Industry Stalemate with New Media”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Division, San Antonio, TX, April 20-23, 2011.
“Lily Allen and the Narrative of MySpace Music Stardom”, Pennsylvania Communication Association (PCA) Conference, Mass Communication and Society Division, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, October 16-18, 2009.
“’If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name’: Borders, Boundaries, and the Production of M.I.A.”, International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) Conference, Don’t Fence Me In: Borders, Frontiers, and Diasporas, University of California, San Diego, CA, May 29-31, 2009.
“The PTA’s Lil’Secret: Adults in Webkinz World”, Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Internet Culture Division, New Orleans, LA, April 8-11, 2009.
“Media Convergence and Non-Specific Genre: M.I.A.’s Hybrid Style”, Pennsylvania Communication Association (PCA) Conference, Communication and Media Technology Interest Council, Pennsylvania State University-Lehigh Valley, PA, October 17-19, 2008.
“The Digitalization of Consumption: A Case Study of Lily Allen”, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference, Entertainment Studies Interest Group, Chicago, IL, August 6-9, 2008.
“From all the Junks the One I Need More is Music: iPods in Everyday Life”, Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Popular Music Division, San Francisco, CA, March 18-22, 2008.
* Schoenecke Graduate Student Competitive Travel Grant Award, 2008.
“Needs, Motives, and Behaviors in Computer-Mediated Communication: An Inductive Exploration of Social Networking Websites”, International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Communication and Technology Division, San Francisco, CA, May 24-28, 2007.
* Top Student Paper, Communication & Technology Division, 2007.
“National or Local Politics? An Inductive look at Dischord Records & the DC Punk Community”, Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Popular Music Division, Boston, MA, April 4-7, 2007.
* Schoenecke Graduate Student Competitive Travel Grant Award, 2007.
Invited Talks & Public Lectures
“Intersectionality Talks: In conversation with Dr. Candice Roberts”, Plymouth State University’s Intersectionality Talks, April 20, 2022.
“The Adolescentia Project: Albums that meant the world to our 14-year-old selves”, Teebs & Kid Phoenix VS. Podcast, Episode 11, June 30, 2021.
“The Adolescentia Project: Albums that meant the world to our 14-year-old selves”, at Portland State University, University Studies: Popular Culture, Zoom Lecture, May 10, 2021.
“The Adolescentia Project: Albums that meant the world to our 14-year-old selves”, Cinepunx Podcast, Episode 131, April 6, 2021.
“The Adolescentia Project: Albums that meant the world to our 14-year-old selves”, at the University of Colorado Boulder, Program for Writing and Rhetoric, Zoom Lecture, February 10, 2021.
“Detoxifying Gender Roles: Liberation from the Traditional Binary”, Diversity Institute 2020 at Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH March 21, 2020. (Covid related Cancelation)
“Social Media, Gender, and Sexuality”, Society of Scholarly Dialogue (SSD) at Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, 2020. (Covid related Cancelation)
“Celebrity Portraits: Real or Constructed?”, Panel Discussion & Juried Art Exhibition at Holy Family University, Philadelphia, PA October 8, 2015.
“Food Waste Awareness Social Media Campaign“, at the University of Missouri, Bioengineering Department, Skype Lecture, September, 23, 2014.
Press
The Union Leader, “Cutting the Cord: As technology changes and choices expand, more Granite Staters are switching off cable TV”, August 18, 2021.
The Newsette, “The Business of Friendship: Carrie Teresa + Mary Beth Ray of The Adolescentia Project”, July 21, 2021.
Klein College News, “Love Letters to our 14-Year-Old Selves: PhD Alumnae Start Digital Media Archive”, May 24, 2021.
Good Day Philadelphia, “Adolescentia Project shares music from youth to build living archive” May 9, 2021.
Philly Voice, “Instagram forum asks people to reflect on the music they enjoyed as teenagers”, April 30, 2021.
The Key, “The Adolescentia Project celebrates our formative music experiences one Instagram post at a time”, April 28, 2021.
Conference Roundtable Participation
“Capturing the Zeitgeist: How Digital Tools Enhance—and Limit—Popular Culture Pedagogies”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Professional Development Area, Seattle, WA, March 22-25, 2016.
“Little things that make a big difference: General and specific teaching strategies for popular culture educators”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Professional Development Area, Philadelphia, PA, Nov. 5-7, 2015.
*Panel Organizer and Chair
“State of the Music Industry Un-Conference”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Music Area, Philadelphia, PA, Nov. 5-7, 2015.
“(Digital) Video Killed the … Traditional Assignment: How Media Technology Can Make Your Classes More Exciting and Your Students More Versatile”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Professional Development Area, New Orleans, LA, April 1-4, 2015.
*Panel Co-Organizer
“Gender and the Academy”, Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA), Professional Development Area, Baltimore, MD, Nov. 6-8, 2014.
Academic Employment
2020 – Present, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Media Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
2015 – Present, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
Program Co-Chair, Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
2014 – 2020, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Media Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
2007 – 2014, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Adjunct Instructor and Teaching Assistant, Advertising Department and Journalism Department in the School of Communication and Theater.
2012 – 2014, Holy Family University, Philadelphia, PA
Adjunct Instructor, Communication Department and English Department in the School of Arts and Sciences.
2004 – 2006, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Adjunct Instructor and Teaching Assistant, Multimedia, Photography, and Design Department in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Plymouth State University Honors & Internal Grant Awards
Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award Finalist, Plymouth State University, 2020.
Theo Kalikow Award Nominee, President’s Commission on the Status of Women at PSU, 2018, 2020.
Center for Research & Innovation, Student Research and Creativity Award (SRAC)
with Saoirse Gaulocher-Bergmann, Fall 2020.
Center for Research & Innovation, Student Research and Creativity Award (SRAC)
with Grace Dawson, Spring 2020.
Center for Research & Innovation, Student Research and Creativity Award (SRAC)
with Ashley Hitchborn, Spring 2020.
Arts & Technologies, Integrated Cluster (IC) Grant Funding, Feminist Afrofuturism: Black History Month at Plymouth State University, Spring 2019.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Integrated Cluster (IC) Grant Funding, New Marketing Initiatives for NH’s Historic Castle in The Clouds, Spring 2018.
Arts & Technologies, Integrated Cluster (IC) Grant Funding, Pilot of Mathematical Games Tournament, 2017-2018.
Faculty Sponsored Student Research Presentations
Isaac Collins, “Political Polarization and Social Media: How Big a Role Does Social Media Play in Shaping Our Political Perspectives?”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Undergraduate Area, Virtual, April 13-16, 2022.
Olivia Gut, “The Age of the Influencer: A Digital Shift in Celebrity Culture”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Undergraduate Area, Virtual, April 13-16, 2022.
Cassidy Keyser, “Social Media: Redefining Romance in the Digital Age”, Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Conference, Undergraduate Area, Virtual, April 13-16, 2022.
Saoirse Gaulocher, “Mad Max Fury Road – A Feminist Analysis”, Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA), Virtual Conference, October 22-24, 2020
Grace Dawson & Ashley Hitchborn, “Diversity Through Representation of Characters with Differing Gender Roles, Sexuality and Accessibility in Arthur, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2020
Samantha Knapton & Megan Steimer “The Progression of Disney’s Aladdin”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2020
Grace Dawson & Ashley Hitchborn, “Diversity Through Representation of Characters with Differing Gender Roles, Sexuality and Accessibility in Arthur”, Popular Culture Association (PCA), Philadelphia, PA, April 15-18, 2020 (Covid Cancellation)
Shae Dauenheimer, “Gender and Ageism in American Horror Story: The Coven”, Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA), Portsmouth, NH, November 15-16, 2019
Mariah Davis & Renee Hall, “The Portrayal and Representation of Ed Kemper in Netflix’s Mind Hunter”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2019
Eklutna Kenney, “A Social Media Analysis of King Author Flour”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2019
Joseph Leblanc & Khue Hoang Nguyen, “Cultural themes present in the most recent season of The Simpsons”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2019
Denee Woods, “Contemplating Social Media for Social Change”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2019
Nora Butler, “A Social Media Analysis of the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2018
Kaila Guterriez & Will Secunde, “A Textual Analysis of the Black Mirror”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2018
Kara Pedro, “Social Media High Times”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2018
Nicholas Pulliam, “An Analysis of Marvel Studio’s Social Media Use”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2018
Mackenzie Cleveland & John Haney, “A Textual Analysis of the New York Times and its Portrayal of Climate Change”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2017
Mariah Davis “Social Media Analysis of the Minnesota Wild”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2017
Samantha Paquin “Kayla Itsines: The Key to Virtual Training Success”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2017
Jordan Rosenburg “The New England Patriots & their Social Media Use”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2017
Megan Driscoll & Lauren Vengren’s “Representation of Mental Illness in American Horror Story: Asylum”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2016
Stephanie Robinson and Justin Hardesty’s “Setting the Stage for Media and Race: A Textual Analysis of Michael Brown News Coverage”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2016
Mary Amenta & Emma Partridge’s “Contradictions Within Women’s Consumer Magazines”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2015
Tucker Wright, Connery Dearborn, & Stephanie Alicata ‘s “A Qualitative Study: Let’s Watch! The Study of the Popular Sensation that is Let’s Plays”, PSU Showcase of Research Excellence 2015
Gina Miller “Make ‘Em Laugh: Women in Comedy Television”, MAPACA 2014
Ryan Shuttleworth “How Sirius XM is Changing the Radio Industry Today”, MAPACA 2014
Service to the Profession
Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA), Digital Media Director, Ex-Officio Board Member, 2020–2021.
Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA), Social Media Manager, 2019–2020
Popular Culture Association & American Culture Association (PCA/ACA), Internet Culture Area Co-Chair, 2014–Present
Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association, Music Area co-chair, 2015–Present
Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association, Board Member, VP of Communication, 2013–2019
University of New Hampshire system’s Academic Technology Institute at Granite State College, Selected Participant, May 26-29, 2015
National History Day Judge for NH state at Plymouth State University, 2015, 2016
University of Missouri’s Food Waste Awareness Social Media campaign, Social Media Consultant 2014-2015
Summer Social WebShop, Selected Participant & Qualitative Research Group Leader, Doctoral Workshop in Technology-Mediated Social Participation, College Park, MD, August 32-26, 2011
Future of Music Coalition, Research Assistant, Artist Revenue Streams Project, 2011
Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit, Washington, D.C., 2009-2012
JUMP! Magazine: The Philly Music Project, Temple University, Editorial Assistant, 2011-2012
Service to Plymouth State University
Co-Chair, Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program, 2015 – Present
Secretary & Member, President’s Commission for the Status of Women, 2014 – Present
Co-Founder & Council Member, PSU Digital Media Skills Certificate Program, 2020
Advisor, Feminist Facti at Plymouth State University, 2020 – Present
Member, Sally Boland Essay Prize Selection Committee, 2015 – Present
Organizer, PSU NH Young Women’s Conference, 2014 – Present
Member, Peace and Social Justice Studies Council, 2019 – Present
Member, ATOEC (Academic Technology and Online Education Committee), 2016 – 2019
Co-Advisor, WPRC 91.7fm at Plymouth State University, 2016 – 2019
Advisory Board Member, CETL (Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning), 2015 – 2016
Faculty Observer, Curriculum Committee, 2015 – 2016
Faculty Search Member: Art History 2015, Early American Literature 2015/2016, Medieval History 2016
Service to the Plymouth State Communication & Media Studies Department
Advisor, Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) Communication & Media Studies Honor Society, 2016 – Present
Founder, Communication & Media Studies: Peer Mentorship Program, 2019
Founder, Communication & Media Studies: Teaching Assistant Program, 2018
Member, Department Advisory Board Sub-Committee, 2017 – Present
Member, Promotion and Tenure Sub-Committee, 2014 – Present
Department Representative at the PSU Minor’s Fair, 2014 – 2015
Reviewing
Rebus Community Press Open Source Textbooks 2018 – Present
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication 2015 – Present
Response: The Digital Journal of Popular Culture Scholarship 2014 – Present
SageOpen Article Editor 2014 – Present
Walden Prize, Paper Reviewer 2013 – Present
AEJMC, Entertainment Studies Division, Paper Reviewer, 2010 – 2014
AoIR, Paper Reviewer, 2011
Professional Affiliations
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
Association/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA)
Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association (MAPACA)
Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS)
Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA)
International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM)
Professional Experience
Reader/Rater, Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test
(TOEFL iBT) Educational Testing Service, Online Scoring Network, March 2007 – 2014. Score both integrated and independent TOEFL through the ETS web-based, holistic scoring program.
Reader/Rater, California High School Exit Examination, Internet-based Test
(CAHSEE) Educational Testing Service, Online Scoring Network, August 2007 – 2014. Score California High School Exit Examination through the ETS web based, holistic scoring program.
Computer Skills
Mac & PC Proficient, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Quark Express, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, SPSS, and Dedoose
Mary Beth Ray 