Joey Lopez, PhD is the Media Lab Director in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University.

Receiving his B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. in New Media at UT Austin in the Radio, Television and Film’s ACTLab program, he’s been active in the new media field for over 20 years, starting with UT-Austin’s ACTLab, where he was teaching assistant for the preeminent new mediast Sandy Stone. Look at those linked sites for an idea of Joey’s background and inspiration.

Using project-based learning and the ACTLab concept of “Make Stuff, Take Risks and Be Awesome”,  Joey engages students in their passions and encourages them to take those provocations and enthusiasms outside the classroom and into the real world. His students have gone on to an array of careers and entrepreneurial endeavors – from stunt persons to Shark Tank winners to teachers, lawyers and newspaper publishers.

Joey’s research revolves around anthropology, action-based research, and community advocacy. His theoretical explorations include but are not limited to race, gender, entrepreneurship, advocacy, alternative pedagogy and civic engagement. His professional practice includes photography, video, audio, new media, technology consulting and STEAM based community programming. He has worked with the Institute of Texan Cultures, Bexar County, Launch SA, CBS Sports, GA Media, 24 Hour Entertainment, The Smithsonian, JMS Racing, Boost Logic, Spare Parts and many others.