About
David Lieberman
David Lieberman is an Associate Professor of Media Studies, a long-form journalist, and a performing musician based in the American Northeast. His work is unified by a single question: how do communities tell their own stories?
Over the past fifteen years, David has taught thousands of students, published in national and regional outlets, and performed original music across the country — always returning to the themes of belonging, memory, and place.
He holds an M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction and a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, and is currently at work on his first book.
The Full Story
David grew up in a small city in upstate New York, the son of a librarian and a high school history teacher. Books and music were the twin languages of his household, and he learned early that stories — whether written, spoken, or sung — were the most powerful tools for understanding the world.
He began his journalism career as a staff writer for an alternative weekly, covering local politics, arts, and culture. His long-form features quickly attracted national attention, and he has since contributed to publications including The Atlantic, Columbia Journalism Review, The Sun Magazine, and numerous regional outlets.
In parallel, David pursued an academic career, joining the faculty of the Department of Media Studies where he teaches courses in narrative journalism, media ethics, and the history of American press. He is known for a teaching style that is rigorous, Socratic, and deeply humane.
His music — released under his own name — draws on the folk and Americana traditions, with lyrics that read like dispatches from the communities he has spent his career documenting. He performs regularly at venues, universities, and literary festivals.
Education & Credentials
2012
Ph.D., Communication Studies
University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication
2007
M.F.A., Creative Nonfiction
University of Pittsburgh, Department of English
2005
B.A., Journalism & Music
Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
2018
Press Freedom Award
Recognized by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press for investigative reporting on local media decline.
In the Classroom
David’s courses are built around the belief that journalism is a civic practice — not just a profession. He teaches students to report with precision, write with clarity, and think with independence.
Current courses include: Narrative Journalism Workshop, Media Ethics & Democracy, The History of the American Press, and Documentary Storytelling.
He is available for guest lectures, workshops, and academic collaborations. Please use the contact page to inquire.
As Seen In
Columbia Journalism Review
The Sun Magazine
Nieman Reports
The Washington Post