Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communication and Information Mary Chayko presented her book Superconnected: The Internet, Digital Media, and Techno-Social Life at a special session of the Eastern Sociological Society’s (ESS) 2023 annual conference, Feb. 24, 2023 in Baltimore, MD. The session was devoted to select books recently published by ESS members, and was combined with a reception to honor the featured books and authors.

“I’m so pleased that the Eastern Sociological Society designed such a unique format for presenting featured new books,” Chayko said. “It allowed me to share and discuss Superconnected in some depth with faculty who are conducting research on similar topics or who may be interested in adopting the book in their courses.”

Superconnected: The Internet, Digital Media, and Techno-Social Life is an exploration of the impact of digital technology and social media on everyday life, and can serve as a textbook for relevant college courses. Published by SAGE Publications, it has been adopted in over 100 college courses, nationally and internationally. Its third edition, which was featured at the conference, highlights such topics as privacy and surveillance, global digital inequalities, technology and mental health, and Chayko’s own research on bias and stereotyping in digital environments.

Chayko has also developed a companion website for the book, which includes more information on the book, customizable lecture slides, discussion questions, and podcasts for each chapter, recorded by Chayko. The blog can be accessed at https://superconnectedblog.com/

“Superconnected is a multidisciplinary work, spanning sociology, communication, media studies, information science, and psychology,” Chayko stated. “My academic background and training are in the field of sociology, so it was really valuable for me to discuss the book with fellow sociological researchers and professors.”

In addition to serving as Distinguished Teaching Professor at Rutgers, Chayko is Director of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies at SC&I and Faculty Fellow in Residence at the Rutgers-New Brunswick Honors College. She has been honored with the Rutgers University Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and as a Distinguished Contributor to Undergraduate Education at Rutgers.

Discover more about the undergraduate programs that Chayko directs, the Digital Communication, Information, and Media Minor and the Gender and Media Minor, on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website. 

Photo Courtesy of Mary Chayko