Jonathan A. Obar is an Assistant Professor of Communications at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He also works as a research associate with the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at Michigan State University, where he previously served as Associate Director for four years. He was also previously a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media at Michigan State University.[1] His research explores and evaluates the impact that traditional and new/social media technologies have on civic engagement, communication policymaking and the inclusiveness of public culture. His research has been published in the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Communication Law and Policy, Communication Review, Free Speech Yearbook, Journalism Studies, Academic Exchange Quarterly, the Free Speech Yearbook and Harvard's Program on Information Resources Policy. Dr. Obar holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University (Mass Communications), an M.A. from Syracuse University (Media Studies), and a B.A. from York University (Communication Studies and Humanities).
Wikipedia Education Program
- Jonathan has written a number of articles about the benefits of Wikipedia as both a teaching and research tool. Including: Why Wikipedia Does Belong in the Classroom.
- With the Wikimedia Foundation, Dr. Obar currently works as a Public Policy Teaching Fellow as well as a Wikipedia Education Program Coordinator for the Wikipedia Education Program.