A panel of scholars, teachers, and administrators from across USC has provided intellectual direction for the Lear Center. It involves faculty from eighteen disciplines, has drawn from twelve different schools, including four deans. Affiliated with this initiative are many more USC faculty from throughout the university, all energized by the opportunity to use entertainment as a clarifying lens through which to look at their work, at leading issues in their field, and at our world.

Jonathan Aronson Professor, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; Professor, School of International Relations

Leo Braudy University Professor and Leo S. Bing Chair in English and American Literature and Professor of English, Art History and History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science

Manuel Castells Wallis Annenberg Chair in Communication Technology and Society, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; Professor of Planning, School of Policy, Planning, and Development

Erwin Chemerinsky Dean, U.C. Berkeley School of Law

Jeffrey Cole Director, Center for the Digital Future, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Geoffrey Cowan University Professor of Communication and Annenberg Family Chair in Communication Leadership; Director, Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy; President, The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands

Barry Glassner President, Lewis & Clark College

Thomas A. Hollihan Professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Selma Holo Director of Fisher Gallery; Professor of Art History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Martin Kaplan Norman Lear Professor of Entertainment, Media and Society Director, The Norman Lear Center, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Doe Mayer Professor; Mary Pickford Chair, USC School of Cinematic Arts

Michael Renov Professor of Critical Studies; Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, USC School of Cinematic Arts

Patricia Riley Professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Steven J. Ross Professor of History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

George J. Sanchez Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Kevin Starr (1940-2017) University Professor and Professor of History, and Policy, Planning, and Development, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Ruth Weisberg Director of the USC Initiative for Israeli Arts and Humanities, USC Roski School of Art and Design