Charisse L'Pree

Charisse L'Pree Corsbie-Massay, Ph.D., examines how media affects identity, attitudes and behaviors, and how we use different media to express ourselves and connect with others. Trained in social psychology and critical media studies, L’Pree’s work includes articles in Psychological Inquiry, AIDS and Behavior and Journal of Applied Communication Research, as well as book chapters addressing serious games, race and gender methodology and media use among marginalized populations. 

Prof. L’Pree has authored two books: "20th Century Media and the American Psyche: A Strange Love" (Routledge, 2021) bridges media theory, psychology and interpersonal communication to describe how our relationships with media emulate the relationships we develop with friends and romantic partners through their ability to replicate intimacy, regularity and reciprocity. "Diversity and Satire: Laughing at Processes of Marginalization" (Wiley, 2023) is the first textbook to explore diversity by demonstrating how satirical content can advance the discussion and change attitudes.

She also hosts two podcasts. "Critical and Curious," a pop trash podcast with Trustee Professor Robert Thompson (TRF), which layers academic research and theory over popular culture and industry and is affiliated with the Amplify Sustain Network at Simon Fraser University and Wilfred Laurier University Press. "SNL101" with Professor Luvell Anderson (Philosophy) is a resource to use Saturday Night Live sketches in the classroom. 

L’Pree earned S.B. degrees in Brain and Cognitive Science and Comparative Media Studies from Massachusetts Institution of Technology, an M.A. degree in Critical Studies from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology also from USC. Prior to joining Newhouse, L’Pree held teaching and research positions at Loyola Marymount University. You can read more about her work at charisselpree.me