Andrew Peck Delivered Derek Agard Lecture
Media scholar Andrew Peck visited Utah State University to discuss digital misinformation and online knowledge sharing.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Lecture and Seminars
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Andrew Peck, an associate professor of strategic communication at Miami University, delivered the Derek Agard Lecture at Utah State University. The ethnographer explored how internet memes, rumors, and hoaxes circulate across various digital networks.
Why it matters
The lecture examined how modern online communities actively contest and shape information through digital platforms. This analysis provides insight into the mechanics of social media communication and the spread of urban legends.
The Derek Agard Lecture series at Utah State University hosts academic experts to address contemporary communication topics. The event featured an ethnographer's perspective on the viral spread of misinformation.
The players
Andrew Peck
He is an associate professor of strategic communication at Miami University and an established media scholar and ethnographer.
Utah State University
This is a public research university located in Logan that serves as the host institution for the Derek Agard Lecture series.
The details
Andrew Peck detailed how users within online communities participate in the circulation of knowledge using internet memes. He also addressed the methods by which hoaxes and rumors traverse digital networks, impacting broader public discourse.
Timeline
The Derek Agard Lecture occurred during the week of September 30, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The Derek Agard Lecture series continues a long-standing academic tradition of hosting external scholars to challenge student perspectives on evolving media landscapes. This event aligns with the broader trend of university departments prioritizing digital literacy in an era of rapid information sharing.
Attendees at Utah State University gained direct access to specialized academic research regarding the social mechanics of online platforms. The presentation provided context that may alter how students and local residents evaluate viral content found on their own social media feeds.
The takeaway
Understanding the ethnographic roots of internet memes helps media consumers identify how misinformation gains legitimacy in digital spaces. Users are encouraged to critically evaluate the origin and propagation patterns of urban legends before sharing them on social media.
Further reading
Learn more about upcoming campus events on the Lecture and Seminars page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Utah Public Radio.
Live Poll
Should social media companies be held accountable for the spread of misinformation on their platforms?
