In our November Instructor Spotlight, we feature Max Erdemandi, lecturer and a dual Ph.D./M.S. candidate at the University of Maryland. Passionate about teaching, Max has developed and led courses on misinformation, radicalization, crisis management, and risk communication, incorporating real-world insights and guest experts into the classroom. Learn more about his journey and the mentors who inspired him along the way.
Current position?
I am a dual Ph.D./M.S. candidate in Communication Science & Social Cognition (Ph.D.) and Quantitative Methodology, Measurement & Statistics (M.S.) at the University of Maryland. My research focuses on the social cognitive and communicative processes that drive extremist phenomena such as dis/misinformation, conspiracy theories, and radical political ideologies. As a quantitative methodologist, I explore innovative ways to measure and analyze these issues by integrating statistical methods, computational techniques, and psychometrics to support policy efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of harmful ideologies on political institutions, social relationships, mental and physical well-being, and information ecosystems. I am in the final year of my doctoral program and actively exploring academic and industry career opportunities.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
I completed my undergraduate studies at Hacettepe University in Ankara, majoring in American and Cultural Studies, followed by a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies from Duke University. My master’s research focused on the institutionalization of anti-LGBTQI+ sentiment and discourse in Turkey and its effects on access to healthcare, housing, and other social services. Although I didn’t write about them at the time, I had read extensively about extremist responses to oppressive social and governmental policies. In 2015, I joined Duke’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) as a research manager for a multi-million-dollar Minerva project, which applied computational social science to the study of extremism and terrorism. This project led me to the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), where I worked as a Senior Faculty Specialist on several grant-funded projects within the Counterterrorism & Near Peer Competition portfolio. During my tenure at SSRI and START, I realized I was more interested in the psychological and communicative aspects of terrorism and chose UMD to further explore these interests while sharpening my quantitative skills.
What career/academic accomplishment are you most proud of?
In addition to my grant work, I am proud of developing and teaching a 300-level course on dis/misinformation and conspiracy theories as agents of radicalization in modern societies through the Global Terrorism minor at UMD/START. Also, I am teaching a large lecture course on emergency and crisis management and risk communication this semester. These are incredibly valuable opportunities that are rarely available to doctoral students, so I am grateful that I get to share my research and expertise with UMD students in the classroom.
In addition to my grant work, I’m particularly proud of developing and teaching a 300-level course on dis/misinformation and conspiracy theories as agents of radicalization in modern societies through the Global Terrorism minor at UMD/START. This semester, I’m also teaching a large lecture course on emergency and crisis management and risk communication. Over the summer, I revamped the course syllabus and introduced a guest speaker series, inviting academic and practitioner experts to visit the classroom throughout the semester. Their shared insights and experiences have enriched the learning experience, emphasizing the applied nature of the course and helping students connect theoretical concepts to real-world practices. These are incredibly rare opportunities, especially for a doctoral student, and I’m grateful for the chance to share my research and expertise with UMD students in the classroom.
What or who has been most influential in shaping your career?
This question takes me back to my senior year of college, when I asked several faculty members for recommendation letters for graduate school. Two professors declined, expressing doubt that I would be accepted into any program. However, my advisor, Dr. Tanfer Emin Tunc, was unwavering in her support and became my biggest champion throughout the application process. Thanks to her encouragement, I was admitted to Duke on a full scholarship, which completely changed the trajectory of my life. My Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Anita Atwell Seate, has been an incredibly supportive mentor as well. She has pushed me to pursue my full potential, from encouraging me to undertake a dual Ph.D./M.S. program to challenging me with tougher comprehensive exam questions, which led to a pass with distinction. I’m also thankful to my START mentors, Dr. Barnett Koven and Dr. Marcus Boyd, who initially encouraged me to pursue my Ph.D. at UMD.
When did you first start teaching?
I began teaching as a teaching assistant in 2018, but my first experience as an instructor of record was in 2020. Since then, I’ve developed and taught my own courses and contributed to several curriculum redesign projects. My teaching portfolio now spans a diverse set of topics from online terrorism and risk/emergency management to research methods and media theory. I’m thankful to START’s Liberty Day for many of these teaching opportunities!
Favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is working with students from first-generation, immigrant, and queer backgrounds. The student body at UMD is incredibly diverse—not just in the traditional sense, but in terms of lived experiences. I’ve had students who transferred from community colleges, students actively interning at federal agencies, and even students running for local office. Their diverse perspectives and experiences enrich the classroom and make teaching all the more rewarding.
Best piece of career advice?
It’s never too late to further your education. I started my Ph.D. at age 30, online, in the middle of a pandemic. At times, I felt out of place as the oldest student in my cohort and worried I’d be too old upon completing the program. Now, in my final year, I realize how crucial my professional and life experiences have been to my success. A good example is my ongoing relationship with START, where I continue to teach and coordinate a summer study abroad program in partnership with Macquarie University in Australia. These opportunities have certainly enriched my graduate school experience at UMD.
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Lots! I’ve been living in Washington, DC, for about eight years, and I absolutely love what the city has to offer. When I’m not on campus, you can usually find me dining out with friends, attending a performance at the Kennedy Center, taking long walks around the city, playing volleyball in the DC Pride Volleyball League, or enjoying an espresso martini at The Little Gay Pub. I’m also a gamer and love playing games on my PS5 and Nintendo Switch. I also escape to New York City (thank you, Amtrak!) to watch Broadway shows as often as I can. I have a massive stack of playbills at my apartment!
Interested in learning more about Max Erdemandi? Visit his profile. You can also register for his Winter Session 2025 course, BSST338A: Special Topics in Terrorism Studies – Misinformation, Conspiracy Theories, and the Radicalization of Modern Societies. Check out the schedule and syllabus on Testudo.