Scripps Faculty Shining: Recent Publications and Works

By Caitlin Antonios

While Scripps’ faculty are dedicated educators, their impact extends far beyond the classroom. Through groundbreaking research, influential publications, and creative works, they continue to advance knowledge and push innovation.

Recent faculty works include:

by Professor of English and Associate Dean of Faculty Warren Liu

First Contactis a funny, polyphonic poem that narrates the first encounter of a shipwrecked crew of would-be colonizers and a coastal town. Told through three distinct voices, the poems tackle topics like the West’s mythologizing of the East and moral culpability.

by Professor of Art Ken Gonzales-Day

An accompaniment to the exhibition by the same name at the USC Fisher Museum of Art, this book explores the life work of Gonzales-Day.Known forhow his photography, art, and films confront race and power and those who are unseen,History’s “Nevermade”examines his process and journey as an artist.

by Associate Professor of Anthropology Gabriela Morales

Decolonizing Medicinelooks at state-led efforts to decolonize health services under Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, Evo Morales. The book trackshow care practice is a microcosm for broader projects of decolonization.

by Professor of Philosophy Rivka Weinberg

The Meaning of It Allexplains why some types of meaning are achievable, while others are impossible. She clarifies the roles that death and time play in the meaning of our lives, and considers how we might orient our lives toward meaning in light of these bittersweet truths.

byAssociate Professor of Media Studies Carlin Wing

Bouncetraces the history of bouncing balls across both physical and digital games, showing how bounce has shaped sports, play, animation, computing, and more. Organized into three sections, the book explores the material, virtual, and cultural dimensions of bounce through examples ranging from the ancient Mesoamerican game, ulama, to modern video games likeFIFA.

by Professor of Philosophy Yuval Avnur

Dive into mathematician and scientist Blaise Pascal’s philosophy and how it applies to today’s challenges. A mathematical genius, and deeply religious man, this book will challenge anyone interested in the heart’s role in rationality, human nature, the individual and collective purpose, and more.

featuring Professor of Music Anne Harley

This latest volume ofVoices of the Pearlfeatures Harley as the soprano for eight tracks. The project commissions and performs works from global artists, with the goal of presenting “musical portraits of female mystics, traversing time and geography.”

by Professor of Dance Kevin Williamson, featuring Professor of Music Hao Huang

Blue, a solo work choreographed and performed by Williamson, was performed in Los Angeles in 2025, accompanied by Huang. “In this more intimate work, I spiral through a mirage of complex characters, big movements, and rough tasks, grappling with personal and collective despair,” Williamson.

andbyAssociate Professor of Chicanx-Latinx Studies Martha Gonzalez

Launched by Gonzalez, ATlaculioJoint! is a hub for music lovers, educators, and those curious to know more. Tlaculio’s first project is a collector’s vinyl ofMemory and Return,produced by Grammy-winning producer and musician Quetzal Flores.

“As a songwriter and music nerd turned academic, I often wonder how to instigate more lifeform,spaceand depth of dialogue when it comes to an album. The resurgence of vinyl has been a hopeful turn and quite inspirational to watch,” Gonzalezabout the project.

Let the City Speak: The Sonic Journey of Quetzalis a feature-length documentary that follows Quetzal, a Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, and provides an intimate portrait into its leadersQuetzal Flores and Martha Gonzalez.

Tags