Dr. Patricia Phalen brings over 25 years of experience researching the intersection of media, culture, and human behavior. A lifelong interest in writing about human life experiences that captivate, inspire and offer thought-provoking conversations has led her to work in academia, television, and government. Her academic research focuses on the economic sociology of mass media organizations, particularly the various occupational cultures at work in television production. As Assistant Director of the School of Media & Public Affairs (SMPA) and Associate Professor at The George Washington University, Dr. Phalen uses the unique ability of bringing in humor to connect with her audience, delivering deep analysis of human relationships in professional and popular culture. Dr. Phalen currently teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at GWU which include “Hollywood & Politics,” “Media Organizations & Audiences,” and “Media in a Free Society.” Her work expands country-wide and globally through presentations at media conferences and invited lectures in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America, Africa and Asia. Recognized for her prolific research, she has been featured in numerous academic journals such as The Journal of Media Economics, The Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Telecommunications Policy, The Journal of Popular Culture, Political Communication and The Journal of Radio Studies. Her work has also been featured in Fortune and USA Today, and cited in a number of popular press articles. Dr. Phalen has a Masters and PhD in Radio/Television/Film from Northwestern University, and a BA and MBA from Boston College. Her latest book is Writing Hollywood: The Work and Professional Culture of Television Writers, (2018, Routledge). She is co-author of two others, Ratings Analysis: The Theory and Practice of Audience Research (now in its 4th edition) and The Mass Audience: Rediscovering the Dominant Model.