Business and Bonds: Highlights from AEJMC 2025 in San Francisco

#AEJMC25 was serious business this year, with early morning meetings throughout.
Highlights include:
1. presenting a paper co-authored with my former MA student Mahbubul Haque Bhuiyan on the typology of agenda-setting research in the age of new media with insights for future paths as we enter the AI era.
2. a paper presentation on news sourcing practices in clientelist media systems, co-authored with Dren Gerguri and Alban Tartari
3. Giving out research awards to brilliant students (and faculty) in the capacity of NOND research chair
4. starting my term as the elected vice chair for the AEJMC Council of Divisions

But, you'll excuse me if I mixed business with pleasure while in beautiful San Francisco with dear friends, colleagues, and mentors. Major highlights:
1. Reconnecting with my Ph.D. journey friends at the Indiana University social (go Hoosiers!)
2. Catching up with my University of Houston colleagues at the Texas schools' social (go Cougars!)
3. Cheering to the exciting academic year ahead with my University of Florida colleagues at the CJC social (go Gators!)
4. Post-conference unwinding with a picnic at the Golden Gate Park with brilliant global media scholars I'm lucky to call my mentors.