Jermaine Anthony Richards is a scholar of critical media and communications systems whose research examines advocacy-driven games. His dissertation synthesizes critical communication theory, continental philosophy, game studies, computer engineering, and Los Angeles art history to investigate how computational and mathematical aspects of digital communications systems structure and transform social, political, and ontological categories. Through close analysis of rights-seeking video and social games, Richards explores how these interactive media platforms engage with contested notions of “Humanity” within advocacy-based mediation and communication practices.
As a PhD candidate in Communication at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Richards works with Robeson Taj Frazier (Chair), Cristina Mejia Visperas, and Zakiyyah Iman Jackson. To complement his PhD research, he is pursuing a graduate certificate in Science and Technology Studies (STS) through the Center on Science, Technology, and Public Life, specializing in computational, scientific, and mathematical terminological aspects of digital communications systems.
Jermaine holds degrees from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication (MA’s in Global Communication and Communication), the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (MSc in Global Media), and York College at the City University of New York (BS in Communications Technology and Studio Art). The latter is a joint major that combines communication design, information systems, and digital systems engineering. At York College, He enriched his undergraduate studies with Studio Art to explore 20th Century Black/African Diasporic Art Practices under the late Jamaican-born visual artist, curator, and art historian Margaret Rose Vendryes.
Jermaine’s work has been supported by the Advertising Club of New York (AdClub) Innovation, Industry, and Media Scholarship, the AdClub Presidential Fellowship, and the LSE/USC Global Media and Global Communication Research scholarship. His creative work has been recognized by the American Association for Advertising Agencies (4As), the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the ADCOLOR® Conference, New America’s Digital Impact and Governance Initiative (DIGI) and the Responsible Asset Allocator (RAA), and the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships.
Richards is also an award-winning social impact producer responsible for producing Momo Pixel’s Hair Nah. The International ANDY Awards, The One Show, the Brooklyn Arts Council, and the WEBBY Awards have recognized the game for its innovation, impact, and execution. The video game has been exhibited globally at London's Tate Modern and Victoria & Albert to the Smithsonian Museums, amongst others. The game has also appeared in Vogue and The New York Times. It is taught at academic institutions worldwide, including MIT, Harvard, and Oxford.
Read more about Jermaine's journey here.