Three Reynolds School of Journalism faculty members have been granted tenure by the University of Nevada, Reno. Benjamin Birkinbine, Laura Crosswell and Patrick File will be tenured and promoted to associate professor, effective July 1, 2021.

“The grant of tenure and promotion represents a significant achievement for a faculty member,” Al Stavitsky, dean of the Reynolds School, said. “It recognizes dedication and effectiveness in teaching, national stature for research and creative activity, and commitment to academic and professional service. We’re fortunate to have talented colleagues such as Ben, Laura and Patrick on our faculty.”

Birkinbine joined the Reynolds School faculty in 2014 as a visiting assistant professor and was hired as an assistant professor of media studies in 2015. He is the author of “Incorporating the Digital Commons” and co-editor of “Global Media Giants.” His research focuses on the political economy of communication, with a specific focus on free and open-source software and the digital commons.

Crosswell joined the University of Nevada, Reno in 2015 as an assistant professor of health communication on a joint appointment between the Reynolds School and the School of Medicine. Crosswell is the author of “Politics, Propaganda, and Public Health.” Her research focuses on the cultural implications of consumerism and persuasive texts, and she often uses advanced eye-tracking technology to examine the physiological and psychosocial influences of media content.

File joined the Reynolds School faculty in 2015 as an assistant professor of media law. He is the author of “Bad News Travels Fast: The Telegraph, Libel, and Press Freedom in the Progressive Era.” His research focuses on media law and history, examining how journalism is defined and regulated at the intersection of law, technology and professional practices.