Faculty Experts
From the discovery of new planets to the work of noted criminologists, SF State offers a wide variety of scholars who are the most distinguished in their fields. This directory identifies academics who possess insight and knowledge of diverse subjects and who are willing to work with journalists whenever possible. The faculty experts directory is compiled by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
If you need immediate assistance finding an expert, please call (415) 338-1665 or email pubcom@sfsu.edu.
Paul Beckman
Professor of Information Systems
Office Phone: (415) 338-6240
Email: pbeckman@sfsu.edu
Paul Beckman is an expert in human performance, wireless networks and issues of social connectedness on task performance. In addition to his research, Beckman has worked as a systems analyst at Hewlett-Packard.
Areas of Expertise:
Databases
Wireless networking
Human interface
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Management (MIS), Purdue University
Maziar Behrooz
Associate Professor of History
Office Phone: (415) 338-1776
Email: mroozbeh@sfsu.edu
Maziar Behrooz is an expert on the modern history of the Middle East, particularly the social, political and intellectual history of Iran, including the present day.
Areas of Expertise:
Iran and Afghanistan: 19th, 20th, 21st centuries
History of Iraq, including current conflict
Arab-Israel conflict
Highest Degree: Ph.D., History, University of California, Los Angeles
Emily Smith Beitiks
Associate Director, Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability
Office Phone: (415) 405-3528
Email: beitiks@sfsu.edu
Beitiks is an expert on disability justice and reproductive justice issues for people with disabilities, including sterilization and prenatal testing. Her dissertation, "Building the Normal Body: Disability and the Techno-Makeover," looked at cultural stories told about disabled bodies normalized with science and technology.
Areas of Expertise:
Disability justice
Disability and popular culture
Reproductive justice issues for people with disabilities
Highest Degree: Ph.D., American studies with disability studies emphasis, University of Minnesota
Peggy Benton
Professor Emerita of Instructional Technologies
Office Phone: (415) 338-2508
Email: peggyb@sfsu.edu
Peggy Benton is an expert on the integration of computers, video and multimedia in classroom teaching and teachers' professional development, particularly how computer graphics and virtual reality can improve learning.
Areas of Expertise:
Use of computers and technology in teaching
Use of technology in teacher professional development
Digital video education
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University
Daniel Bernardi
Professor of Cinema
Office Phone: (415) 338-6267
Email: bernardi@sfsu.edu
Daniel Bernardi is a noted media and cultural studies scholar with a focus on critical race theory, early cinema and the role of whiteness in film and television. His publications include "Narritive IEDS: Rumors, Islamic Extremism and the Struggle for Strategic Influence," "Filming Difference: Actors, Directors and Writers on Gender, Race and Sexuality," and "Star Trek and History: Race-ing Toward a White Future." He is currently studying the impact of rumor on counterinsurgency operations.
Areas of Expertise:
Race
Gender and sexuality in the media
Popular culture
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles
Subodh Bhat
Professor of Marketing
Office Phone: (415) 817-4399
Email: sbhat@sfsu.edu
Subodh Bhat is an expert in brands and brand management. He has commented widely in national media about corporate branding marketing choices and branding disasters.
Areas of Expertise:
Branding and brand management
Brand disasters
Indian entrepreneurs' success in Silicon Valley
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Marketing, University of Georgia
Roger Bland
Professor Emeritus of Physics & Astronomy
Office Phone: (415) 338-2433
Email: bland@stars.sfsu.edu
Roger Bland is an expert on underwater acoustics who analyzes the songs and calling patterns made by blue whales and toadfish (plainfin midshipman).
Areas of Expertise:
Underwater acoustics
Blue Whale songs
Mating call of the toadfish (plainfin midshipman)
Highest Degree: Ph.D., Elementary Particle Physics, University of California, Berkeley
Betsy Blosser
Professor Emerita of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts
Office Phone: (415) 338-1326
Email: bblosser@sfsu.edu
Betsy Blosser is an expert on educational television and its effects on society. In addition to her research, Blosser has taken students SF State students on international trips to film public service announcements for foreign non-profit agencies.
Areas of Expertise:
Effects of television on society
Educational media
Educational television
Highest Degree: Ph.D. Stanford University