In recent years, his research and writing have focused on media representations of American cities and the urban poor. His book, "Urban Nightmares," won the Urban Communication Foundation's 2006 Jane Jacobs Publication Award. He is also co-editor of (with Lee Artz and Dana Cloud) and contributor to the book, "Marxism and Communication Studies: The Point is to Change It" (Peter Lang, 2006). He is a member of Chicago Media Action, working both as a researcher and organizer.