Alexandra Lippman

Based on fifteen months of ethnographic fieldwork and archival research in Rio de Janeiro (2008-2011), Alexandra traces how state-backed aims of open source IP practices and models to “democratize” access often overlook existing innovative local practices of media production and exchange. Her dissertation "Piracy, Publics, and Payola: Contested Soundscapes in Brazil" explores how globalizing alternative intellectual property (IP) practices impact creativity, access to knowledge, media, and music. Her interest in sound, space, and experimental methodology led to her forming the research collaboration Sound Ethnography Project.  She is currently an Intel PhD Fellow. Previously, Alexandra received her B.A. in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College in 2005.