Joe Paradiso, the Alexander W. Dreyfoos (1954) Professor in Media Arts and Sciences, has been named Academic Head for the Program in Media Arts and Sciences. He will assume his new role on July 1, as current Academic Head Tod Machover moves to the newly created position of Faculty Director for the MIT Media Lab.

See the full announcement from Hashim Sarkis, Dean, School of Architecture and Planning below.

May 30, 2025

Dear faculty, staff, and students,

I am pleased to announce that Joe Paradiso, the Alexander W. Dreyfoos (1954) Professor in Media Arts and Sciences, has been named Academic Head for the Program in Media Arts and Sciences. He will assume his new role on July 1, as current Academic Head Tod Machover moves to the newly created position of Faculty Director for the MIT Media Lab.

In addition to serving as Associate Academic Head, Joe is Director of the Responsive Environments Group at the Lab. The work of this unit explores how sensor networks augment and mediate human experience, interaction, and perception, exploring applications that range from smart buildings and wearables to environmental sensing and space systems. Another focus is electronic and computer music; in addition to his fundamental academic research on musical controllers, over the past 50 years he has designed and built one of the world’s largest custom modular synthesizers, which he still uses to compose electronic soundscapes.

With a PhD in high-energy physics earned here at MIT, Joe joined the Media Lab in 1994 and has contributed significantly to its renown as a hub for interdisciplinary experimentation and innovative teaching. His wide-ranging research has resulted in more than 400 publications and 27 issued U.S. patents.

As Academic Head, he will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the Program for Media Arts and Sciences by mentoring its faculty and students and developing the academic program. He will take part in the Executive Committee of the Media Lab with the Faculty Director and Executive Director, and will represent MAS on the School Council. I am grateful to Tod for his exemplary work in this academic leadership role.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Joe to this important position in MAS and thanking him for his continued dedication to MIT.

Best,

Hashim
Hashim Sarkis
Dean, School of Architecture and Planning