Nicole Starosielski

Nicole Starosielski is a media scholar and Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University. She specializes in the study of media infrastructure, environmental media, and the relationships between technology and the natural world. Starosielski's most notable work is "The Undersea Network" (2015), which examines the physical infrastructure of submarine cable systems that enable global internet communications. This research illuminates the material and environmental dimensions of digital networks that are often overlooked in discussions of virtual connectivity. Her collaborative digital project "Surfacing" further explores undersea cables through an interactive interface, allowing users to visualize and understand these critical communication infrastructures. She has also edited several collections including "Signal Traffic: Critical Studies of Media Infrastructure" (2015) and "Assembly Codes: The Logistics of Media" (2021). Starosielski's work bridges media studies, environmental humanities, and infrastructure studies, with particular attention to how communication systems interact with oceanic environments and coastal communities. Her research has influenced contemporary understanding of digital infrastructure's environmental impact and the material foundations of global communications.

Readers appreciate Starosielski's ability to make complex technical infrastructure accessible and reveal hidden aspects of global communications systems. Academic readers note her thorough research methodology and clear explanations of undersea cable networks. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of technical concepts - Integration of cultural, environmental, and technological perspectives - Strong research foundation with detailed case studies - Original maps and visual elements in "The Undersea Network" What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging for non-specialists - Some sections of "The Undersea Network" focus heavily on theoretical frameworks - Limited coverage of certain geographical regions Ratings: Goodreads: "The Undersea Network" - 4.0/5 (based on 42 ratings) Amazon: "The Undersea Network" - 4.5/5 (based on 11 reviews) "Signal Traffic" - 4.2/5 (based on 8 reviews) Reader quote: "Makes invisible infrastructure visible in a way that changes how you think about the internet" - Amazon reviewer

The Undersea Network (2015) Examines the cultural and environmental dimensions of undersea fiber-optic cables, tracing their development from the telegraph era to modern digital infrastructure.

Media Hot and Cold (2019) Analyzes temperature as a fundamental concept in media studies, exploring how heat and cold shape communication technologies and their social impacts.

Assembly Codes: The Logistics of Media (2021) Co-edited volume investigating how logistics and supply chains influence media distribution and infrastructure systems.

Signal Traffic: Critical Studies of Media Infrastructures (2015) Co-edited collection examining the physical systems and material networks that enable media distribution and communication.

Sustainable Media: Critical Approaches to Media and Environment (2016) Co-edited work analyzing the environmental impact of media systems and their relationship to sustainability.

Lisa Parks focuses on media infrastructure, satellites, and global communications networks. Her work examines how media systems shape geopolitics and culture, similar to Starosielski's research on undersea cables.

Brian Larkin studies infrastructure and media in urban environments, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa. His analysis of how physical networks enable cultural flows aligns with Starosielski's interests in material connections.

Jennifer Gabrys investigates environmental sensing, digital technologies, and ecological issues. Her research on how technologies mediate environmental relationships connects to Starosielski's work on underwater infrastructures and environmental impacts.

John Durham Peters explores media theory, communication history, and environmental media. His writing on elemental media and natural infrastructures complements Starosielski's focus on oceans and cable systems.

Ned Rossiter researches logistics, digital infrastructure, and labor in global networks. His examination of how infrastructure shapes contemporary life parallels Starosielski's analysis of submarine communication systems.