Modularity, Plants & Power
Channel: Edna Anderson-Taylor Communication Institute
Date: 13/07/2023

Delivered  by Dr. Chris Ingraham, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, this thought-provoking presentation given at the Edna Anderson-Taylor Communication Institute on February 9, 2023 delves into the fascinating world of modularity.

Modularity, often associated with business and systems design, takes center stage as Dr. Ingraham reveals its under-acknowledged significance for critical approaches in media theory and the environmental humanities. Through captivating examples ranging from LEGOs to plant physiology and the historic Great Exhibition of 1851, Dr. Ingraham highlights the complexity and generative potential of modularity as a model for world-building.

However, he also challenges the conventional wisdom by shedding light on the problematic aspects of modularity as a structure for maintaining power. By weaving together various disciplines and perspectives, Dr. Ingraham provides fresh insights into the ways modularity shapes our understanding of communication, society, and the environment.

As a renowned scholar and active researcher, Dr. Ingraham's work encompasses diverse areas such as media aesthetics, environmental communication, and rhetorical theory. His commitment to critical approaches ensures an engaging exploration of the material, aesthetic, and affective practices that shape our constructed environments.