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Christopher Simpson, Director, Project on Satellite Imagery and the News Media, American University, School of Communication That Project on Satellite Imagery and the News Media’s principle funding is a major Institutional Excellence Grant from the university, with supplemental support from satellite imaging and news media companies including Space Imaging, EarthWatch, National Geographic, ABC News and other organizations. The project has produced monographs on legal aspects of earth observation from outer space, remote sensing resources available via the World Wide Web, and a Journalists' Guide to Experts in satellite remote sensing and related fields. The program has also organized two international conferences focusing on practical projects for use of high resolution satellite imagery for news organizations and public interest groups specializing in human rights issues. Conference co-sponsors included the United States Geological Survey, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and key professional organizations of both journalists and earth observation specialists. Mr. Simpson is an Associate Professor in American University's School of Communication. His teaching specialties include use of computers and other advanced technologies in journalism, as well as journalism and public affairs. Mr. Simpson is the author of four books concerning the history and politics of federal technology policy, human rights and national security, including Blowback (1987), The Splendid Blond Beast (1993), Science of Coercion (1994), the standard reference work National Security Directives of the Reagan and Bush Administrations (1995), as well as numerous articles for journals and professional publications. He edited a collection of sociology of science essays, Universities and Empire (1998) and is presently series editor for the Science and Human Rights academic book series published by Holmes & Meier. His work has won many awards, including the National Jewish Book Award for historical writing concerning the Holocaust, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Prize for books, and the 1998 Freedom Award. In 1999, American University honored Simpson with the University Award for Innovative Use of Technology in the Classroom, the first such award in the university's history. |