Dr. Catherine Knight Steele wins 2025 Maryland Research Excellence Award

Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Knight Steele!

On March 27, the University of Maryland celebrated more than 250 faculty scholars and researchers at the 2025 Maryland Research Excellence Celebration.

Researchers at UMD were nominated by the deans of each school or college for research excellence. One faculty member from each school or college was selected for special recognition as having best exemplified research excellence. 

Dr. Catherine Knight Steele, Associate Professor of Communication and the Director of the Black Communication and Technology (BCaT) lab, was recognized on behalf of the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU). 

The Maryland Research Excellence Award honored Dr. Steele for her research, including her three books: Digital Black Feminism, which won the Diamond Anniversary Book Award and the Nancy Baym Book Award, Doing Black Digital Humanities with Radical Intentionality, and Technoskepticism. She was also recognized for her work as a co-PI of the Digital Inquiry Speculation, Collaboration, and Optimism Network, funded by the Mellon Foundation. In addition, Dr. Steele's research on Automation and Black Joy as a Just Tech Fellow with the Social Science Research Council explores more equitable technological futures. 

We are very proud of you, Dr. Steele!