Chess
Dr. Shira Chess
About: Shira Chess teaches courses in media studies and writing. Her research focuses broadly on historical and contemporary digital media studies.
Education
Ph.D., Communication and Rhetoric, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
M.A. Media Arts, Emerson College
B.A. English, The University of South Florida
Research Interests and Activities
Dr. Chess’ research interrogates contemporary and historical digital culture. Her book The Unseen Internet (MIT Press, 2026) considers the intersection between magical thinking and technological innovation. She is currently co-authoring Freaks in the Machine: Mondo 2000 in Late 20th Century Tech Culture about the famed 1990s cyberculture magazine. Her previous research considered video games as a framework for understanding women’s leisure, and the internet mythology of the Slender Man.
Teaching Specialties
Dr. Chess’ teaches courses that focus on both understanding and creating digital and traditional media. Prior to teaching in Grady College, she taught at Miami University of Ohio and worked as a game developer and web designer.