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UHart honors Sundeep Muppidi with Donald W. Davis Award
Muppidi was recognized for his contributions to interdisciplinary education, scholarship, and academic leadership.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 01, Jun 2026
- 17:11 EDT
- 36
Sundeep Muppidi / hartford.edu
Indian-origin professor Sundeep Muppidi received the Donald W. Davis University Interdisciplinary Studies Award for outstanding contributions to the interdisciplinary studies program at the University of Hartford.
A professor of digital media and journalism, Muppidi is approaching his 30th year at the university. His academic work has focused on international communication, complexity theory, and communication for social change and empowerment.
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The Donald W. Davis Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in interdisciplinary education and have helped advance the university's interdisciplinary studies curriculum.
Muppidi is known for teaching courses that bridge technology, media literacy, cultural studies, and the humanities. His work in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program has emphasized cultural empathy and intercultural competence, particularly through the study of South Asian and East Asian cultures.
In addition to teaching, Muppidi has authored four books, published more than 50 peer-reviewed book chapters and journal articles, and presented at over 100 international conferences. He has served as editor-in-chief of Asia-Pacific Media Educator and Media Asia, and as associate editor of the Asian Journal of Communication.
“Sundeep’s sustained commitment to interdisciplinary education, innovative pedagogy, and program development exemplifies the spirit and criteria of this distinguished award,” said Jack Banks, co-director and associate professor at the School of Communication.
“His approach encourages students to examine their own cultural assumptions while developing an appreciation for diverse ways of knowing and being,” he added.
Muppidi has held several senior administrative positions during his academic career, including special assistant provost for Strategic Initiatives, associate dean for Academic Planning and Curriculum, chair of the Institutional Review Board, director of the School of Communication, and director of the graduate program in Communication at the University of Hartford.
He previously served as associate provost and director of Special Programs at Eastern Connecticut State University and as secretary general of the Asian Media Information and Communication Center.
His media and film work includes the documentary Seeing the Scientific Light, which aired on PBS affiliates, along with educational documentaries on vaccine production, neonatal health, and cinema studies.
He is currently producing Canvas Hyderabad, a documentary exploring the work of leading artists from Hyderabad and their role in shaping contemporary urban culture.
Muppidi has also appeared on television programs and podcasts across India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Singapore, and the United States, discussing educational innovation, communication, technology, and cultural change.
A recipient of the Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Award for Distinguished Service in 2021, Muppidi is also a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar for 2024–25, an ACE Fellow, a Harvard MDP alumnus, and an AEJMC Diversity Leadership Fellow.
He holds a doctorate in mass communication from Bowling Green State University, a master's degree in mass communication and television production from the University of Hyderabad, and a bachelor's degree in botany, zoology, and chemistry from Osmania University.
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