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. 

Maziar Behrooz

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

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., History, University of California, Los Angeles


Emily Smith Beitiks

Emily Smith Beitiks

Associate Director, Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability

Office Phone: (415) 405-3528

Email: beitiks@sfsu.edu

Emily Beitiks, PhD, is an expert in promoting access in museums, art, and film in her roles as the Interim Director of the Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University and Co-Director of Superfest Disability Film Festival.

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

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

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

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

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


Ali Borjian

Ali Borjian

Professor of Secondary Education

Office Phone: (415) 338-1838

Email: borjian@sfsu.edu

Ali Borjian is expert on effective teaching for children who are English language learners.

Areas of Expertise:

Teacher education

School reform

Second-language acquisition

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Education, Stanford University


Scott Boswell

Scott Boswell

Assistant Professor of Cinema

Office Phone: (415) 338-6522

Email: sboswell@sfsu.edu

Scott Boswell is a filmmaker and film instructor who has completed numerous shorts and the award-winning feature film "The Stranger in Us" (2010). Previously, Boswell ran The Factory, an Oakland-based short film production collective for urban teenagers. Boswell currently acts as the Production Coordinator in the Cinema Department, where he teaches classes in film production, directing and screenwriting. In his spare time, Boswell runs a feature screenwriting group and directs plays with San Francisco theater companies.

Areas of Expertise:

Independent and fiction filmmaking

Screenwriting

LGBT cinema

Highest Degree:

MFA, Cinema, San Francisco State University