Faculty Research

The School of Communication faculty conducts research and creative scholarship within four main clusters.

Communication in the Public Interest

Research and creative projects cluster around communication processes of identifying and shaping political, social and cultural values, the priorities and practices that are central to our society, economy, and governance. Specific areas of research include health, risk, environmental, and political communication, as well as policy and civil rights.

School faculty members engaged in this area of research/ creative activities:

Bailey, ClaytonCortese, Dale, Ferchaud, Houck, Graves, Jordan, McDowell, Merle, Nudd, Opel, ProffittBruker, Wendorf Muhamad

Strategic Communication

Applied and strategic communication studies, as well as communication processes of understanding and shaping health, political, consumer behavior and practices, and professional applications of communication research describe this cluster of work. Specific areas of research include integrated marketing, health, public relations, and project management.

School faculty members engaged in this area of research/ creative activities:

Bailey, Chapa, Cortese, Clayton, Lee, Merle, Wendorf Muhamad, Adams

Multicultural, Intercultural, and International Communication

Multicultural/intercultural interactions within US society and with audiences from outside the U.S. are increasingly important in a globalized world. Research in this area addresses both for-profit and not-for-profit interactions between organizations and individuals. Specific areas of research include intercultural and cross-cultural communication competencies; Hispanic, multicultural, or international marketing communication; comparative media studies; media and conflict; development communication; and South Asian media studies.

School faculty members engaged in this area of research/ creative activities:

Chapa, Jordan, Lee, McDowell, Merle, Wendorf Muhamad, Adams

Media & Technology

Research in this area clusters around the pervasive use of electronic and digital media in multiple platforms (radio, television, games, social media platforms, internet or digital environments, mobile devices) and communication contexts and purposes including social and media organizations, entertainment, and education. Specific areas of research include research on media institutions and policies; media effects; application of technology-mediated communication tools in advertising, public relations, and integrated marketing communication; analyses of news, entertainment, gaming, and media effects; industry studies; and production techniques for existing and new platforms (e.g. virtual reality, 3D).

School faculty members engaged in this area of research/ creative activities:

Bailey, Bruker, Clayton, Chapa, Cortese, Dale, Ferchaud, McDowell, Opel, Proffitt, Bunz , Wendorf Muhamad.