About
Dr. A.J. Bauer is a historian, ethnographer, and former journalist whose research examines historical and contemporary right-wing movements and media in the United States and beyond. His scholarship focuses on the role of media activism, press criticism, and ideological journalism in shaping political movements and public discourse.
Drawing on archival and ethnographic methods, Dr. Bauer’s work explores how media regulations and practices shape political discourse, identity, and movement formation. His research contributes to a deeper understanding of how journalism, activism, and ideology intersect in polarized media environments.
Impact Beyond the University
Dr. Bauer is the author of Making the Liberal Media: How Conservatives Built a Movement Against the Press (Columbia, 2026), and co-editor of News on the Right: Studying Conservative News Cultures (Oxford, 2019). His scholarly work has appeared in Radical History Review, American Journalism, the International Journal of Communication, Journalism Studies, and Communication, Culture & Critique, among other venues.
He also regularly contributes essays and commentary to major national and international outlets. His work has appeared in Time, Bloomberg, Politico Magazine, TV Guide, The Guardian, and elsewhere. His public-facing writing brings scholarly insights to broader conversations about media, politics, and democracy.
Within the College of Communication and Information Sciences, Dr. Bauer serves as Programming Chair of the Office of Politics, Communication, and Media (OPCaM), where he helps develop events and initiatives that connect scholarship, journalism, and civic engagement.
A Passion for Media, Politics, and Public Scholarship
As an assistant professor, Dr. Bauer emphasizes critical inquiry into media institutions, political communication, and journalistic practice. His teaching encourages students to examine how media shapes political identities and public understanding, while developing strong analytical, research, and journalistic skills.
Through research, teaching, and public engagement, Dr. Bauer models how political theory and historical research can inform journalism and contribute meaningfully to public discourse.