university scholars
Five University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professors, including professor Ben Grosser with the School of Art & Design have been named University Scholars. The award recognizes excellence in teaching, research, and service. Each will receive $15,000 annually for three years to support their academic work. University leaders praised the honorees as exemplars of the institution’s scholarly strength and commitment to advancing society.
Art and new media professor Ben Grosser, an internationally recognized artist and scholar, is known for his influential critiques of social media and Big Tech, including the widely cited “Facebook Demetricator.” His work has been exhibited globally, featured in major media outlets, and extensively referenced in academic scholarship. At Illinois, he is also a dedicated educator and campus leader, mentoring students and spearheading interdisciplinary initiatives that highlight the arts and humanities’ role in shaping the digital world.
“Given the breadth and depth of scholarly work across our three campuses, and our ongoing commitment to recruiting and supporting exceptional educators and researchers, every recipient of this award has earned this recognition through truly commendable work.” – Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Illinois System
Read more about professor Grosser and the other recipients in the News Bureau.