A.J. Bauer is a historian, ethnographer, and former journalist who researches historical and contemporary right-wing movements in the United States and beyond. His work focuses on the role of media activism, press criticism, and ideological journalism in the formation of political movements and identities. In addition to scholarly publications, he has contributed essays and commentary to Bloomberg, Politico Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, TV Guide, Columbia Journalism Review, The Guardian, and elsewhere.

He is an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media, and is programming chair of the Office of Politics, Communication and Media (OPCaM) in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at University of Alabama.