Department of Communication announces New Department Chair

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Department of Communication has appointed Dr. Avery Holton (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) to serve as Department Chair, beginning July 1, 2021.

Kent A. Ono inducted into the International Communication Association Fellowship

Kent A. Ono, professor of communication, has been named 1 of 18 2021 Fellows of the International Communication Association. Fellows are chosen by the strength of their distinguished scholarly contributions to the broad field of communication.

Department of Communication announces New Associate Chairs

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Department of Communication has appointed Dr. Rachel Alicia Griffin and Dr. Suhi Choi to serve as Associate Chairs beginning July 1, 2021.

Communication Institute welcomes Sean Lawson as New Director

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Communication Institute, hosted by the Department of Communication, has selected Dr. Sean Lawson to serve as its new director.

Communication student Andrea Jimenez-Flores selected for College of Humanities Outstanding Senior Award

Communication student Andrea Jimenez-Flores is this year's recipient of the College of Humanities Outstanding Senior Award, which acknowledges accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, research, campus and civic engagement, and leadership.

Congratulations to our 20-21 Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients!

Watch our slideshow featuring this year's undergraduate scholarship recipients and the scholarships they received!

Reflections and Resources

As spring semester concludes, the Department of Communication commends students for navigating this unusual and difficult academic year.

Ashley Cordes selected for ACLS Fellowship

Ashley Cordes, Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Utah, has been selected for a 2021 American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship.

Journalism student Jacob Rueda named Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar

Jacob Rueda, a senior studying Journalism, has been named Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar. This award is presented annually in conjunction with the Department of Communication to a graduating senior who has excelled in their studies.

John R. Park Debate Society Recognized at the International Forensics Association Speech and Debate Tournament

The University of Utah's John R. Park Debate Society recently competed in the 31st International Speech & Debate Tournament hosted by the International Forensics Association.

EVENT: Using Humor to Reduce Online Toxicity: An Experimental and Computational Methods Study

Please join us next week for our colloquium on “Using Humor to Reduce Online Toxicity: An Experimental and Computational Methods Study.”

Department of Communication Anti-Racist Code of Conduct

This Anti-Racist Code of Conduct—passed in a faculty vote, without votes in opposition, in November 2020—in the Department of Communication is the result of the department’s Anti-Racist Taskforce (ART) established in summer 2020 by Interim Chair, Dr. Kevin Coe, at the request of Communication graduate students invested in anti-racist scholar-activism.

Former Graduate Student Melissa Parks wins National Communication Association Dissertation Award in Environmental Communication

Communication alum Melissa Parks was awarded this year's National Communication Association Dissertation Award in Environmental Communication.

Department of Communication Statement on Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

The University of Utah has both historical and contemporary relationships with Indigenous peoples. Given that the Salt Lake Valley has always been a gathering place for Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes and is a crossroad of the Indigenous peoples of Utah.

Communication Alum Manusheela Pokharel wins Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award

Communication alum Manusheela Pokharel has won this year's Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award.

Professor Rachel A. Griffin co-edits Black Panther Special Issue from NCA’s Journal Review of Communication

Dr. Rachel Alicia Griffin and her co-editor from Gonzaga University, Dr. Jonathan P. Rossing, recently published a themed issue on Marvel’s Black Panther in the National Communication Association’s (NCA) Review of Communication that is currently free to access.

Communication student Mitch Shin published in the Asia Times and the KDVA

Communication (journalism) student, Mitch Shin, began his journalism work at the Utah Chronicle, but is now publishing articles for one of the largest pan-Asian media organizations, the Asia Times.

Professor Jakob Jensen introduces new course focused on COVID-19

Communication Professor Jakob Jensen has created a new course on how brands respond to a pandemic—COMM 3580: Strategic Communication & Pandemics.

Department of Communication in Support of Black Lives

We write to affirm that the Department’s leadership—consistent with the leadership of the College and University—stands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and an end to anti-Black racism.

New Titles given to Academic Advising Team

The Department of Communication is excited to announce title changes for the members of its advising team and congratulates Travis, Cameron and Stephanie on these new titles.

2020 Communication Award Winners

Congratulations to all undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members for their hard-earned awards this year!

Graduate Student Taylor Johnson awarded Tanner Humanities Center fellowship

Communication graduate student Taylor Johnson was awarded the 2020-2021 Tanner Humanities Center fellowship for her dissertation, titled The fight for Bears Ears: Toward a decolonial rhetoric of public participation in environmental decision-making.

Graduate Student Madison Krall awarded Steffensen Cannon Scholarship

Communication Graduate Student Madison Krall was selected as this year's recipient of the Steffensen Cannon Scholarship.

Remembering Emeritus Professor Robert Tiemens

Robert Kent Tiemens (Ph.D., University of Iowa) passed away from complications associated with COVID-19 on March 30, 2020 in a Colorado Springs Hospital at the age of 84.

Academic Advising Team Wins NASPA Excellence Award

Each year, the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) recognizes the outstanding contributions of members who are transforming higher education.

2020 Communication Awards Banquet to be Held April 14th

The Department of Communication's 65th annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Little America Hotel on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 6 p.m. The reception and ceremony will honor distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

Professor Kimberely Mangun to speak on Emory Jackson Research

Dr. Kimberely Mangun will speak on her ten years of research studying the Birmingham World editor Emory Jackson at the Seventeenth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Lecture.

Professor Danielle Endres attends COP25 Climate Change Conference

Professor Danielle Endres was selected to attend the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) COP 25 meeting in Madrid, Spain.

Professor Kent Ono to speak at the University of Iowa

Professor Kent Ono is set to speak at the University of Iowa this weekend on "'Witnessing' and 'Pledging:' Activist Imagining Sanctuary."

Professor Avery Holton featured on Pioneer Theatre Company's Podcast

Dr. Avery Holton spoke with Pioneer Theatre's Matthew Ivvan Bennett on fact, truth, and authenticity as the company prepares for their production of "The Lifespan of a Fact."

Graduate Student Melissa Parks wins NCA's Benson-Campbell Dissertation Award

Graduate student Melissa Parks won the Benson-Campbell Dissertation Award from NCA's Public Address Division.

Graduate Student Benjamin Mann and Faculty Member Rachel Griffin invited to the NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar, 2019

Graduate student Benjamin Mann was selected to participate in this summer's NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar.

Graduate Student Eunice Kim wins NCA Award

Graduate student Eunice Kim was awarded the National Communication Association James L. Golden Outstanding Student Essay in Rhetoric Award for the essay “‘An Impression of Asian People:’ Stereotype & Identity in Ali Wong’s Standup Comedy.”

Two Faculty Members Receive Professional Association Teaching Awards

Two Department of Communication faculty have been recognized for outstanding teaching by two national communication associations.

Avery Holton earns Top Research Paper Award

Avery Holton earned a Top Research Paper award for his work on the deployment of drones at universities during the most recent meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Sara Yeo Awarded NSF Grant to Study Humor in Science Communication

Scientists and their institutions are increasingly engaging with public audiences through social media. In the quest for effective communication, the use of humor has often been recommended for scientists interacting with publics.

Robert W. Gehl receives Fulbright fellowship

Robert W. Gehl, associate professor of communication at the University of Utah, has received a Fulbright fellowship to serve as Canada research chair in communication, media and film at the University of Calgary in spring 2020.

Communication Alum Kristina Baskett featured in Humans of the U

“I never imagined my life would consist of playing a superhero, dodging explosions, traveling through time, casting spells and zip-lining out of buildings—let alone saving the world from armies of the dead as stunt double for Arya Stark in the world’s most popular television show, ‘Game of Thrones.’

Class of 2019 Communication students featured on @theU

Ashley Baker and Gabe Moreno were featured on @theU as graduating seniors this year.

Former Communication Faculty Member Rev. France A. Davis to speak at Commencement

University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins and the Board of Trustees announced Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, that renowned civil rights activist, religious leader and University of Utah alum and former faculty member Rev. France A. Davis will deliver the commencement address at the university’s 150th campus-wide convocation.

Academic Advising Coordinator from the U’s Department of Communication Visits Asia Campus

Travis James Ciaramella, an academic advising coordinator from the Department of Communication at the University of Utah’s Salt Lake City campus, visited the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) on April 1

2019 Communication Awards Banquet

The Department of Communication's 63rd annual Awards Banquet was held at the Little America Hotel on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. The reception and ceremony honored distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

Chair Danielle Endres published in NCA's Spectra Magazine

Department Chair Danielle Endres recently wrote for the National Communication Association's magazine Spectra. Her article, "Engaging the Nexus of Environmental Rhetoric and Indigenous Rights," illustrates this nexus with Utah's Bears Ears National Monument.

Undergraduate Kellie Mathieu attends Big XII Conference

Undergraduate student Kellie Mathieu attended the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government at the University of Missouri during the week of February 21-24, 2019.

Vincent Cheng and Marouf Hasian appointed as Distinguished Professors

Two faculty members in the College of Humanities have been appointed with the University of Utah’s prestigious designation of Distinguished Professor.

Remembering Professor Boyer Jarvis

Emeritus faculty member, Boyer Jarvis, died last Thursday at the age of 95. In addition to spending his career as a faculty member in our Department, he also held many administrative positions at the University, including the AVP for Academic Affairs.

Three Communication Students Win Internship of the Year Award

The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) recognized Kathryn Calderon, Meredith Searight, and Angelina Termunde with the Internship of the Year Award and cash prize of $100.

Communication student receives outstanding undergraduate research award

Maya Kobe-Rundio has received the 2019 College of Humanities Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award. Studying communication, Kobe-Rundio’s research trajectory combines her passion for environmental communication with her commitment to gender studies and feminist activism.

Advising Team Presents at 2019 Region 9 and 10 NACADA Conference

The Department of Communication Advising Team, Travis Ciaramella, Stephanie Krusell, and Cameron Vakilian presented in Honolulu, Hawaii last week in collaboration with advisors from the International Studies Program, Ashley Glenn and Christy Hoffman for the 2019 Region 9 and 10 NACADA (National Academic Advisor’s Association) Conference.

2019 Communication Awards Banquet to be Held April 9th

The Department of Communication's 64th annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Little America Hotel on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 6 p.m. The reception and ceremony will honor distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

Professor Robert Gehl delivers Keynote at the University of Calgary

On March 1, Professor Robert W. Gehl gave a keynote at the University of Calgary's School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures & Cultures, titled "A Deep Dive into the Marianas Web: Surveillance, Information, and Mythologies of the Dark Web."

Friends and Family Remember Comm Alum Debra “Dee” NaQuin Shafer Through New Scholarship

Debra “Dee” NaQuin Shafer earned a bachelor of science degree in mass communication at the University of Utah in 1989, where she worked for the Daily Utah Chronicle as a staff writer and editorial editor. After she passed away in January 2019, her friends and family decided to commemorate her life through fundraising for a scholarship in her honor -- the Debra “Dee” NaQuin Shafer Scholarship.

The Teaching, Research, and Service of WSCA and NCA Past-President Malcolm O. Sillars

At the Western States Communication Association Conference in Seattle, Department of Communication Emeritus Professor Malcolm O. Sillars will be honored with a panel discussion.

Professor Rachel Griffin presents Book Talk at the University of South Florida

On November 30, 2918, Communication professor Rachel Griffin presented on her book, "Adventures in Shondaland: Identity Politics and the Power of Representation."

The Art of Science Communication with Panelist Robin Jensen

On September 26, 2018, NCA presented a public program titled "The Art of Science Communication," featuring Communication professor Robin Jensen. The program focused on the textual dynamics and social consequences of rhetoric on discussions and understandings of science.

University of Utah Chosen as News Open Challenge Finalist

A small collaborative team assembled by Communication professor Avery Holton has been chosen as a finalist for the AI and the News Open Challenge. Of 520 applicants, the university's team is one of 66 now remaining for part of a $750,000 grant.

November Awards and Publications

Awards given to faculty and graduate students and publications by faculty and graduate students in November.

Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer Amy Van Prooyen Follett, Esq.

Please join us for the Department of Communication's annual Town & Gown lecture by 2018-2019 Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer Amy Van Prooyen Follet, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of Van Prooyen Greenfield LLP, a law firm that specialized in litigation and crisis communications.

Remembering Emeritus Professor Malcolm O. Sillars

Malcolm O. Sillars, longtime University of Utah faculty member and administrator, passed away in Salt Lake City on Nov.12, 2018 at the age of 90. Malcolm was a special man with an extraordinary career, loved for his kindness, humility and dry humor.

University of Utah wins at National Communication Association 2018 Conference

Last weekend, Salt Lake City was host to the National Communication Association’s 104th Annual Convention: Communication at Play. University faculty members and graduate students attended the four-day convention and many presented their research to the Communication community.

Let’s Talk About Your DNA

Huntsman Cancer Institute Researchers Receive Grant to Discover Best Way to Deliver Genetic Services to Primary Care Patients.

In Memory of Lauren McCluskey

Lauren was a senior majoring in communication, an accomplished athlete and an outstanding scholar. Her presence in our college will be greatly missed.

Professor Kent Ono speaks at Humanities on the Edge Lecture Series

The most recent onslaught of anti-immigration rhetoric and politics has put undocumented immigrants in an even more precarious position. One response by undocumented people has been to take up sanctuary in such places as churches and sanctuary cities—places where U.S. immigration law enforcement may have more limited authority. This talk thinks through the idea of sanctuary and its potential usefulness.

2018 College of Humanities Faculty Awards

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, Stuart Culver, dean of the College of Humanities, announced the recipients of the college’s 2018 Distinguished Scholar and Rising Star awards.

Internship Guide

Stay connected with Communication internship opportunities by following these action steps.

AJHA Conference comes to Salt Lake City

The Department of Communication, College of Humanities, and Tanner Humanities Center are co-sponsors of the American Journalism Historians Association 37th annual conference in Salt Lake City.

Hindu Nationalism, 'Clean India' Movement, and the Politics of Gender presented by Dr. Raka Shome

The University of Utah Department of Communication Presents: 2019 B. Aubrey Fisher Memorial Lecture.

Creating Civil Dialogue Across Partisan Lines

U student group hosts workshops, presentations and a dinner to promote civil dialogue

Professor Avery Holton selected for Digital Journalism Research Fellow

Dr. Avery Holton has been selected from a competitive pool of international scholars as a Digital Journalism Research Fellow by Oslo Metropolitan University, where he will share and advance his work examining the changing identity of journalists.

Professor Kent Ono Wins Prestigious Award from the National Communication Association

Kent Alan Ono, Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Utah and Second Vice President of the National Communication Association (NCA), recently received NCA’s 2018 Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award.

Tanner Humanities Center announces Faculty and Undergraduate Fellows

Faculty members Kevin Deluca and Rachel Griffin have been awarded this year's Virgil C. Aldrich Faculty Fellowship and undergraduate student Maya Kobe-Rundio was awarded the Honors College Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the Tanner Humanities Center.

Professor Rachel Griffin publishes "Adventures in Shondaland"

"Adventures in Shondaland" serves as a means to theorize Rhimes’s contributions and influence by inspiring provocative conversations about television as a deeply politicized institution and exploring how Rhimes fits into the implications of twenty-first century television.

2018 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference

The University of Utah recently had a successful showing at one of the largest national communication conference, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, which was held in Washington, DC.

New Book Explores the "Dark Web"

Associate Professor Robert Gehl explores the Dark Web—websites accessible only with special routing software— in a book that examines the history of three anonymizing networks, Freenet, Tor, and I2P.

Recent Communication Graduate Featured in @theU

Tammy Mabey, class of 2018 and director of operations for the U Academic Advising Center, was recently featured in Humans of the U.

2018 Communication Awards Banquet

The Department of Communication's 63rd annual Awards Banquet was held at the Little America Hotel on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. The reception and ceremony honored distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

Three Ph.D. Students Accepted to NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar

Manu Pokharel, Ashley Elrick, and Robb Bruce, three Communication Ph.D. students, are among the participants chosen to attend the esteemed 2018 National Communication Association (NCA) Doctoral Honors Seminar.

Communication PhD alum wins 2018 RSA Dissertation Award

Doctoral alum José Ángel Maldonado’s dissertation, "Diana’s Confession: Precarious Rhetoric in Post-NAFTA Mexico," has been named the recipient of the Rhetoric Society of America’s Dissertation Award for 2018.

Three Humanities Faculty Members Selected for National Humanities Center Summer Fellowships

Avery Holton, Noel Voltz, and Jeremy Rosen have all been selected for a 2018 National Humanities Center (NHC) Summer Fellowship.

New Endowed Scholarship in Debate Donated by Andrew Wahlquist

Thanks to a generous gift from 1963 Communication alum Andrew F. Wahlquist, the Department of Communication is proud to offer an annual scholarship to a standout member of the John R. Park Debate Society.

Earn a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution

Learn the skills that professional mediators and negotiators use to resolve the toughest conflicts. Conflict resolution skills are a highly valued asset in all fields and types of organizations.

Neutral News Perceived as Biased Depending on who Shares it

U study reveals bias is created based on who shares news and not just who creates news

Communication Publication: Strategic Use of Energy Democracy

A dramatic increase in solar power adoption has occurred in the last decade, due to growing consumer interest in green energy, coupled with significant decreases in associated costs.

Communication Dept. Scholars Publish on the Critical Role of Communication in the “Precision Medicine Era”

2018 Communication Awards Banquet

The Department of Communication's 63nd annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Little America Hotel on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 6 p.m. The reception and ceremony will honor distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

U debate society recognized by Utah State Legislature

The University of Utah’s John R. Park Debate Society was recognized, Friday, Feb. 2, with a resolution by the Utah State Legislature.

The University of Utah Asia Campus Selected as a Training Partner by Olympic Broadcasting Services

The University of Utah’s partnership with Olympic Broadcasting Services, which started with the Salt Lake Winter Olympics in 2002, continues with the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018.

John R. Park Debate Society Wins Big on Both Sides of the Atlantic

The John R. Park Debate Society traveled to both Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and, in the first international competition in its history, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Voices of Utah

Voices of Utah is an award-winning community-engaged learning project run by journalism students in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah.

Communication Alum Running for Congress Featured on TIME Magazine Cover

Shireen Ghorbani, who holds a master’s degree from the U’s Communication Department (2016), is on the Jan. 29 cover of TIME Magazine along with 47 other women who are running for office.

In the Spirit of Itzpapalotl, Venceremos features Department of Communication Alum

The exhibit is entitled "In the Spirit of Itzpapalotl, Venceremos" and will begin on January 17, 2018 and run through February 15, 2018.

Two Communication Professors Included Among Harvard Nieman Lab’s Top 10 Digital and Social Media Research Articles of 2017

McIntyre Classroom dedicated at Department Celebration

The McIntyre Classroom was established thanks to the generosity of Jerilyn S. McIntyre and her husband, W. David Smith, in honor of her late parents, Maxine and Frank McIntyre.

Communication Student Chelsea Sather Featured in At the U

As director of the new UAC board, Sather’s main goal is to assist the students in Asia to increase awareness and opportunities for educational and social pursuits at the Utah Asia Campus.

PhD Candidate Diana Zulli accepts Assistant Professor position at Purdue University

The Department of Communication is thrilled for Diana as she takes on this new venture in the coming year.

Voices of Utah to Celebrate Ten Year Anniversary

Next week The Department of Communication will proudly celebrate the 10th anniversary of Voices of Utah and their work throughout the semester.

Assistant Professor Avery Holton selected for University of Utah’s VPCAT

Dr. Holton will join the sixth class of VPCAT scholars and is the first faculty member from the College of Humanities to be selected to the program.

John R. Park Debate Wins Big in California

The John R. Park Debate Society traveled to Stockton, CA for its third tournament of the competitive season at the Pat Kennedy Round Robin, Mustang Invitational, and Paul Winters Invitational.

The Impact of Presidential Communication on the LGBT Community

A recent study published in the Journal of Communication, authored by Kevin Coe, associate professor of communication at the University of Utah, and two graduate students, Robert Bruce and Chelsea Ratcliff, focused specifically on presidential communication about the LGBT community throughout history.

Department of Communication Professor Julia Corbett will present the opening keynote at the Taiwan Association of Science Communication and Education Conference

Professor David Vergobbi Leads National Convention

Department of Communication professor David Vergobbi completed his term as president of the American Journalism Historians Association by leading their national convention.

Professor Kevin Coe Receives Outstanding Article Award

An article by Associate Professor Kevin Coe and his coauthor Joshua Scacco of Purdue University was named the 2017 Michael Pfau Outstanding Article by the National Communication Association’s Political Communication Division.

David Vergobbi, Associate Professor of Communication, Interviewed by ABC News

David Vergobbi, Associate Professor of Communication, was recently interviewed by abc National News about freedom of expression.

PhD Student Marsha Maxwell sits on “Fake News” Panel

he Project for Deeper Understanding partnered with public radio station KPCW to host “’Fake News’ and the Demise of Civil Discourse,” in Park City last week.

Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer Michael Babcock to Speak Nov. 7

Please join us for a talk by 2017-'18 Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer Michael Babcock, Senior Regional Director of Public Relations and Communications at Shriner's Hospitals for Children.

Professor Kevin Coe Receives the Religious Communication Association Article of the Year Award

PhD Alum Sarah Bell awarded Kluge Fellowship

The University of Utah’s Department of Communication alumna Sarah Bell (PhD 2015) has been awarded a Digital Studies Fellowship from the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.

Debate Society Opens 2017-'18 Season by Winning Top Honors

The team traveled to Colorado Springs to open its competitive season at the Al Johnson Memorial Invitational hosted by Colorado College.

Professor Robin Jensen presented keynote at Rhetoric of Health and Medicine Symposium

The symposium was held Sept. 14-15, 2017 at the University of Cincinnati. Her talk was titled "Accounting for Scientific Attribution."

The Department of Communication is now accepting applications to its graduate program for Fall 2018

2017 Fisher Lecture to Feature Klaus Krippendorff, Renowned Emeritus Professor from U of Penn

The 31st annual lecture will be held Thursday, Oct. 19, in LNCO 2110 at 7:30 p.m.

Critical Genealogies Workshop Held at University of Utah

Over the weekend of September 15, communication, media studies, political science and philosophy scholars gathered at the Tanner Humanities Center for the annual Critical Genealogies Workshop.

The Communication Department Supports President Pershing's Statement on DACA

The Department of Communication endorses President David Pershing and Dean Dianne Harris’ statements on President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order.

See Ph.D. Student Madison Krall's TEDx Talk on Fat Prejudice

First-year doctoral student Madison Krall spoke at TEDxMileHigh this summer on her health communication research.

Congratulations to three of our Communication Department scholars for winning top honors from the National Communication Association (NCA)

Ph.D. Alum Lindsay Kite to Speak at TEDxSaltLakeCity on Body Image Resilience

Lindsay Kite, who earned her master's (2009) and Ph.D. (2013) in the Communication Department, has been invited to speak at TEDxSaltLakeCity.

"Applying the HINTS Research Program to Promoting Global Health"

With Dr. Gary Kreps, George Mason University, Distinguished Scholar in Health and Risk Communication.

Robin Jensen's Book "Infertility: Tracing the History of a Transformative Term" Named 2017 Outstanding Book

Professor Robin Jensen's latest book, "Infertility: Tracing the History of a Transformative Term," was named the Outstanding Book of 2017 by the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender (OSCLG).

Professor Avery Holton Cited in Forbes Story on Health Communication Around Suicide and Gun Control

New research shows public health messages about preventing suicides involving firearms are more likely to be successful if they acknowledge the values and beliefs of gun owners.

Professor Kimberley Mangun Awarded Book Contract for Work on Alabama Editor and Civil Rights Crusader

Dr. Mangun's forthcoming book, "Fighting with Words: Editor Emory O. Jackson's Crusade for Freedom, Justice and Fairness in Alabama, 1940-1975," will be published as part of the AEJMC-Peter Lang Scholarsourcing Series.

Debate Society Hosting High School Summer Camps

The national champion John R. Park Debate Society is hosting its annual summer camps for high school students from across the country starting July 9.

Alta Argumentation Conference

The Department of Communication is excited to host the 2017 NCA/AFA Summer Conference, also known as the Alta Argumentation Conference, at the Snowbird Resort Cliff Lodge from July 20-23, 2017.

Shauna Edson Helps Pioneer Adult Digital Literacy with the Salt Lake City Public Library

Shauna Edson, an MA student in Communication and Writing & Rhetoric Studies, has been working with the Salt Lake City Public Library to help make our local communities more digitally inclusive.

Two Ph.D. Students Accepted to NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar

Rob Layne and Karl Haase are among the doctoral student participants chosen to attend the esteemed seminar to be held at Bowling Green State University July 27-30.

Sean Lawson Delivers Cyber Security Lecture at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

On May 17, 2017, Professor Sean Lawson of the Communication Department delivered a lecture at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Center for Global Security Research.

Advisors Cameron Vakilian and Travis Ciaramella to be Featured Presenters at National Academic Advising Conference

Their presentation, titled Internship Advising Strategies, will provide advisors with evidence and theory-based strategies to help students find and secure quality internships.

Professor Rachel Griffin Presented Inclusive Excellence Keynote

She delivered a talk titled "Privilege, Oppression, and Complexity: Our Institutions are of the World We Live In” to more than 600 student services professionals in Washington state.

Kent Ono Spoke at Annual UNLV Lecture Series

He presented on his recent work "The Posthuman, New Materialism, and the Gendered/Racial Future in 'Advantageous.'"

The 2017 Communication Awards Banquet

The 2017 Communication Awards Banquet was held on April 12, 2017 at the Little America Hotel Ballroom.

MA Communication Student Chelsea Ratcliff Wins Top Paper

Chelsea Ratcliff, a master’s student in the Department of Communication, recently won the Overall Top Paper award at the D.C. Health Communication Conference.

“The Dreams Stuff is Made of: Extending the value of objects through the production of meaning”

Communication Colloquium with Dr. Christine Harold.

Joshua Ewalt Selected to Participate in NEH Summer Institute

Dr. Joshua Ewalt, assistant professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Humanities, has been selected as a participant in Northeastern University’s National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute on Space, Place, and the Humanities.

John R. Park Debate Society Earns National Championship

The oldest student organization at the U takes the top spot.

2017 Communication Awards Banquet to be Held April 12

Our 62nd annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Little America Hotel with a reception and ceremony honoring six distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

The Conflict Resolution Graduate Certificate Program is now accepting applications for the 2017-18 year

WSCA Honors Dr. Daniel Canary

Dr. Daniel Canary, Professor (Lecturer) in the Department of Communication, received the most prestigious career award from the Western States Communication Association (WSCA).

Sarah Patterson Selected as UROP Scholar for 2017

Sarah Patterson, an undergraduate student in the Department of Communication, was selected as one of four Dee Foundation UROP Scholars for 2017.

Professor Danielle Endres Awarded $25k NSF Grant for Energy Democracy Symposium in July

With the help of this award, she'll be directing the symposium, hosted by the U's Communication Institute, in July 2017.

Sanctuary, Fugitivity and the Public University

A Communication Colloquium with Dr. Karma R. Chavez.

Bringing Mobile Communication to Work: Organizational and Personal Control

Join us for our colloquium on February 23, 2017 when Dr. Stephens will share the data stories that help her explain the tensions and opportunities for contemporary mobile communication.

Kent Ono Selected as 2nd Vice President of NCA

Dr. Ono will assume office on January 1, 2018, plan the 2019 NCA annual convention, and serve as NCA president in 2020.

Prof. Kim Kaphingst's Research Featured in ASCO's 2017 Clinical Cancer Advances Report

The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s report features her recently published research on communicating genetic information to patients.

American Advertising Federation Hosting Utah Student Shadow Day on Feb. 15

Utah students interested in a close-up look at work in local ad agencies and connect with employers have a chance to do so on Feb. 15. Enrollments are still open.

Three Comm Majors Selected to Present at WSCA Undergrad Scholars Research Conference

Christine L. Brady, Weston Wood, and Sarah Patterson will be presenting papers at the USRC before WSCA on Feb. 18 in Salt Lake City.

New Book Takes On Socialbots

Department of Communication Associate Professor Robert W. Gehl has published a new edited collection, co-edited with Maria Bakardjieva of the University of Calgary.

Integrated Marketing Communication Certificate Program Accepting Applications for Spring 2017

The IMC Certificate is a one-semester course taught every spring semester by Communication Professor Tim Larson and Professor Ken Foster, both leaders in the field.

Prof. Paul Rose Wins Daniels Fund Leadership in Ethics Education Award

Dr. Rose won the award for his course COMM 3505 "Intro to Media Business Ethics," where he engages students in ethics exercises that use innovative methods to teach key ethical concepts.

Graduate Student Shauna Edson Named 2016 National Digital Inclusion Fellow

The program is a partnership between Google and the Nonprofit Technology Network that focuses on increasing digital inclusion in cities where Google Fiber is providing Internet infrastructure.

Professors and Grad Students Earn Top Honors at 2016 NCA Convention in Philadelphia

The annual convention was held Nov. 10-13 and welcomed thousands of scholars from across the country. See here for a list of the incredible awards presented to our faculty and students.

Heather J. Stone Receives the Communication Institute Graduate Student Research Grant

Heather J. Stone receives the Communication Institute Graduate Student Research Grant for her research project titled “Young Mormon Women as Insiders/Outsiders: Exploring Tensions of Organizational Membership in Tight-Knit Communities, 1974-2002.”

Danielle Endres and Michael Middleton's "Participatory Critical Rhetoric" Wins Outstanding Book of the Year

The co-authored 2015 critical rhetorical studies book was announced as winner of NCA's Critical/Cultural Studies Division top book award.

Professor Julia Corbett received the Honorable Mention for the Manfred Award in Creative Writing from the Western Literature Association

The award was for the essay “Out of the Woods,” which is a chapter in her upcoming book "A Regular Day for the Moon: Culture and Everyday Nature."

Professor Robin Jensen Publishes New Book on the History and Meaning of Fertility

"Infertility: Tracing the History of a Transformative Term" explores the arguments, appeals, and narratives that have defined the meaning of infertility in modern history.

Town and Gown on Nov. 1 to Feature Dr. Carla V. Lloyd

The emeritus professor from Syracuse University will present a lecture titled "That's Just the Clothes Talking: What You Wear Communicates More than You Think."

Kent Ono Selected as Finalist for 2nd Vice President of NCA

The two finalists will be voted on in January by all members of NCA, will assume office on Jan. 1, 2018 and serve as president in 2020.

Communication Student Dahee Yun Speaks at Utah Building Dedication in South Korea

University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) Communication student Dahee Yun spoke at the Utah building dedication in Songdo, South Korea on Sept. 1, 2016.

Kent Ono to Present Keynote at 2016 Race and Media Conference at NYU

His Oct. 21 keynote is titled, "Representation Today, Tomorrow, and Forever?: The Vexed Ontology of an Iconic Media Concept."

Introducing Katheryn Christy, a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Communication

A Q&A with Katheryn Christy, a post-doctoral fellow in Professor Jakob Jensen’s Health Communication & Technology (HCAT) lab in the Department of Communication.

30th Fisher Lecture to Feature Dr. Patrice Buzzanell of Purdue University on Oct. 20, 2016

Please join us for this important event! Dr. Buzzanell's talk is titled "Shaping a Resilient Future: Inclusionary Career Cultivation Through a Design Lens."

Julia Moore Wins Outstanding Dissertation Award from Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender

Her award-winning dissertation is titled "From Childless by Choice to Mother: Performative and Subversive Negotiations of Face in Relational Communication about (Never) Having Children."

Kent Ono Awarded Outstanding Article of Year by NCA International and Intercultural Division

Dr. Ono co-authored the winning article with 2016 PhD Graduate Antonio Tomas De La Garza.

Debate Society To Host Only Legislative Debates of 2016 Election Cycle

The John R. Park Debate Society announced today it is again joining with the ABU Education Fund, an affiliate of Alliance for a Better Utah, to host Utah’s only legislative debates of the 2016 election cycle.

Professor Jake Jensen Wins NCA Golden Anniversary Monograph Award for 2nd Straight Year

The award is presented to the most outstanding scholarly article published the previous year. Jensen is the first back-to-back winner of NCA's highest honor since 1980.

Danielle Endres Wins Research Experiences for Undergraduates Award from National Science Foundation

Through the award, Dr. Endres is able to hire undergraduate students to participate in her energy communication research project.

Prof. Helene Shugart Publishes New Book on Cultural Context of the Obesity Crisis

In "Heavy," Shugart discusses why obesity campaigns have failed and are failing, argues there is a disconnect between official campaigns and cultural understandings of obesity, and places the instability regarding what obesity is (and why it is) in political economic context.

Student Spotlight: Patrick Hutchings Interns with Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Patrick Hutchings, a Communication Studies major, spent 10 weeks this summer working in the Lectures and Seminars Department of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Student Spotlight: Anastasia Najarian Represents the U at Oxford Consortium for Human Rights

Anastasia conducted research for her honors thesis at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights in England and Northern Ireland in June and July 2016.

Infographic: Comm Graduates are In Demand and Flourishing

Communication is flourishing as a discipline nationally and here at the U, which is visually illustrated in our new infographic.

Prof. Jake Jensen Puts Cancer Funding Into Context of Federal Budget

A new infographic helps to visually depict the White House's latest cancer funding initiative in relation to the entire federal budget.

John R. Park Debate Society Named one of U's 2016 Beacons of Excellence

The Debate Society will be recognized as one of six recipients of the Beacons of Excellence Award for its work empowering and transforming undergraduate students.

Three Graduate Students Win Competitive Fellowships

Three Department of Communication graduate students – Joshua Trey Barnett, Jessica Houf and Ian Summers – have been awarded competitive university fellowships for their outstanding research.

NCA Analysis Finds Communication Faculty Jobs on the Rise

While many disciplines are experiencing a tight job market, faculty job openings in communication are increasing, according to a new analysis from NCA.

Journalism Alum Amy Maestas Named Knight-Wallace Fellow for 2016-'17

The Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship program at the U of Michigan has awarded Communication alum Amy Maestas one of its prestigious fellowships.

2016 Communication Awards Banquet

The 2016 Communication Awards Banquet was held on April 5th, 2016, and honored students who have won awards or scholarships, and new members of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for students in journalism and mass communication

Communication Student Griffin Adams Awarded Scholarship from Sports Illustrated

Griffin was awarded one of three scholarships for $5,000 from Sports Illustrated’s Campus Rush and Finish Line for outstanding journalism in his role as Campus Correspondent for Campus Rush.

Announcing Five New Communication Faculty

The Department of Communication is proud to announce the hiring of five new tenure-line faculty starting July 2016

Dr. Sara Yeo's Research on Knowledge Deficit Published in Public Understanding of Science

Assistant Prof. Sara K. Yeo's co-authored research on the persistence of the knowledge deficit model in science communication won an essay competition and is featured in Public Understanding of Science.

Graduate Research Assistant Meaghan McKasy Wins 2016 Garr Cutler Energy Prize

For her paper titled "Media Coverage and Public Opinion of Energy Efficiency," Graduate Research Assistant Meaghan McKasy is being recognized for her outstanding energy research.

Graduate Assistant Heather Stone Wins Stockham Medal for Conspicuously Effective Teaching

This coveted award recognizes her excellence and dedication as an instructor at the U, and comes with a $1,000 cash prize and engraved medal.

China’s Environmental Tipping Point and Eco Warriors

The Department of Communication Presents: China’s Environmental Tipping Point and Eco Warriors with Jennifer Turner

2016 Communication Awards Banquet To Be Held April 5

The reception and ceremony will honor six distinguished community award winners as well as student scholarship recipients.

Communication Alum-Turned Law Student Shines in National Moot Court Competition

A team of students from the U's S.J. Quinney College of Law, including U Communication alum Sara Parker, earned impressive marks at the National Moot Court Competition in New York.

Professor Suhi Choi Awarded Fulbright Specialist Grant at Israel University

Dr. Choi was selected for a Fulbright Specialist grant in Communications and Journalism at University of Haifa, Israel.

Professor Avery Holton's Media Research Highlighted by Harvard Journalism Outlets

Harvard's Journalists Resource and NiemanLab featured Professor Holton's research on reporters' personal identities and news consumers' feelings of information overload.

Colloquium to Feature Expert Panel on Organizational Communication

The 2016 colloquium series kicks off Thursday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. in LNCO 2120, featuring three top scholars in organizational communication.

Adjunct Instructor Ken Foster Shows Effectiveness of Billboards in 9th President Campaign

The strange billboards showing 9th U.S. President William Harrison are the work of Adjunct Prof. Ken Foster, who is conducting a survey showing the effectiveness of billboards.

Professor Kim Mangun Wins U's Faculty Recognition Award

The new honor was created in an effort to recognize faculty members who are contributing to students’ career development and exploration.

Professors Middleton and Endres Publish 'Participatory Critical Rhetoric' Book

A new book by Assistant Professor Michael Middleton and Associate Professor Danielle Endres has been published by Lexington Books.

Professor Danielle Endres Named New Director of U's Communication Institute

Dr. Endres accepts appointment as director of the Communication Institute, which supports research on communication, communication education, and communication and community.

PhD Candidate Rich Stowell Wins Student Veteran of the Year Award

Communication doctoral candidate Rich Stowell was recently recognized with the U’s Student Veteran of the Year award for his efforts to promote a greater level of understanding of veterans on campus.

Two Comm Scholars Win Leadership in Ethics Education Awards

Winners of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Leadership in Ethics Education Awards include Stacey Overholt and Margaret (Mardie) Clayton.

Professor Jakob Jensen and PhD Graduate Melinda Krakow Win Top Honor from NCA

The National Communication Association (NCA) awarded Professor Jakob Jensen and recent PhD graduate Melinda Krakow the 2015 Golden Anniversary Monograph Award.

Department Earns Top Honors at 2015 NCA Convention in Las Vegas

Our amazing faculty and graduate students left the annual NCA convention with some of the highest honors awarded for the year, including Distinguished Scholar, Outstanding Dissertation, Distinguished Book, and 6 Top Paper awards, among others.

Prof. Julia Corbett to be Keynote Speaker at Int'l Journalism Conference in Ecuador

Professor Julia Corbett has been invited to present the keynote at an international conference hosted by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador on the future profile of journalists and journalism.

Debate Society Hosts British National Team for Public Debate

The U's team is pleased to host the English Speaking Union’s British National Debate Team during their US tour. The tour will include a public debate that will focus on the evolving relationship between the US and Cuba.

Prof. Avery Holton Featured in Forbes Story on Dangerous Parenting Ads

A Forbes story examining the impact of ads on parents prominently featured Prof. Avery Holton, who researches health communication and media influence.

Kent Ono Named 2015 Distinguished Scholar by NCA

Two of the biggest NCA awards in the CCS division are being presented to our scholars. Kent A. Ono, chair of the Communication Department, has been named the 2015 Distinguished Scholar and Associate Instructor Megan McFarlane has been awarded the Outstanding Dissertation award.

Associate Zoo Director Brad Parkin to Speak at Town & Gown Forum

Parkin's lectureship, celebrating the important role professional communicators play in the education of U of U students, includes speaking at the annual Town & Gown Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Asia Campus Students Win Funding to Record Korean War Stories

Five U of U Asia Campus students are researching stories about the Korean War after each of the Communication students was awarded funding from UROP.

Professor Kim Mangun Wins Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Historical Association

Communication Associate Professor Kim Mangun has been announced as winner of the 2015 Eugene Asher Award for Distinguished Teaching from the American Historical Association for her outstanding postsecondary history teaching.

Comm Professor Jakob Jensen Wins 2015 NIH New Innovator Grant

Communication Professor Jakob (Jake) D. Jensen was awarded a highly coveted 2015 New Innovator Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his research program in skin cancer control

Comm Professors' Courses on Drones Gaining National Attention

Two Department of Communication faculty, Associate Professor Sean Lawson and Professor Avery Holton, were awarded an H2 Professorship to teach an innovative series of courses about drones throughout 2014, and now the successful courses are featured on MediaShift.

Physician Brian Moench to Speak on Pollution and Politics

The department's colloquium series continues Thursday, Oct. 1, at 3:30 p.m. in LNCO 2120 with a talk from Dr. Brian Moench, founder and president of the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE).

Join Us for the Frontiers of New Media Symposium

The symposium is presented jointly by the Departments of Communication and History at the University of Utah and is free and open to the public. It will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

Sharon Jarvis to be Featured at 29th Annual Fisher Lecture

The Department of Communication's 29th annual B. Aubrey Fisher Memorial Lecture will feature a talk by Dr. Sharon Jarvis, associate professor of communication studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

U of Oregon's Colin Koopman Kicks Off Colloquium Series

The Department of Communication's colloquium series commenced for Fall 2015 with Dr. Colin Koopman, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Oregon.

Dr. Robin Jensen Wins New Investigator Award

Dr. Robin Jensen has been awarded the New Investigator Award by the Rhetoric and Communication Theory (RCT) Division of the National Communication Association.

Kent Ono Receives Distinguished Scholar Award

The award, "honors a current member of the division for significant contributions to scholarship in rhetorical and/or communication theory during the past ten years."

Megan McFarlane Wins Outstanding Dissertation Award

Department of Communication Associate Instructor and recent U of U graduate Megan McFarlane has won the Cheris Kramarae Outstanding Dissertation Award for the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender (OSCLG).

Robin Jensen Receives NCA Karl Wallace Memorial Award

Dr. Robin Jensen has been awarded the NCA Karl R. Wallace Memorial Award. The award is “given to foster and promote philosophical, historical, or critical scholarship in rhetoric and public discourse.”

Jakob Jensen Receives NCA Golden Anniversary Monograph Award

Dr. Jensen received this top award in the field for his research in communication strategies and their influence on whether participants were more likely to get colonoscopies.

Hasian, Lawson, and McFarlane Publish New Book

Congratulations to Department of Communication Professor Marouf Hasian, Jr., Associate Professor Sean Lawson, and Associate Instructor Megan McFarlane on the release of their book, The Rhetorical Invention of America’s National Security State, published by Lexington Books.

MA Student Elliot Fenech Leverages Social Media for Good

Student who launched UIT social media presence now studies communication.

Dr. Gehl Wins Nancy Baym Book Award

Department of Communication Associate Professor Robert W. Gehl has received the 2015 Association of Internet Researchers Nancy Baym Book Award.

Robin Jensen Receives NCA Distinguished Book Award

Robin Jensen's book, Dirty Words: The Rhetoric of Public Sex Education, 1870-1924, was published by University of Illinois Press in 2010 and details the approaches and outcomes of sex-education initiatives in the Progressive Era.

NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar

Two Department of Communication grad students represented the U at the 2015 National Communication Association Doctoral Honors Seminar.

Debate Society Hosts Annual Beehive Forensics Institute

The BFI offers instruction in policy debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, public forum debate, student congress, extemporaneous speaking, and interpretive events.

Chair Kent Ono Wins NCA Teaching Award

Communication Chair Kent Ono has been selected to be honored at the 2015 National Communication Association for his pedagogy and teaching style.

Dr. Holton Wins Top Faculty Paper

Assistant Professor Avery Holton won Top Faculty Paper at the 2015 International Communication Association Conference in Puerto Rico with his paper titled "Identity Lost? The personal impact of brand journalism."

Dr. Mangun Accepts Joint Appointment

Communication Associate Professor Kimberley Mangun has accepted a joint appointment with the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center.

In Memoriam - Louise Degn, 1946-2015

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at the Foothill 7th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue (1460 South).

Graduate Student and Faculty Awards Banquet

The Communication Graduate Student and Faculty Awards Ceremony & Faculty Retirement Celebration took place on April 17 at the University Park Marriott Hotel.

2015 Communication Awards Banquet

The 2015 Communication Awards Banquet was held on 1 April, 2015, and honored students who have won awards or scholarships, and new members of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for students in journalism and mass communication.

Professor Emeritus Jerilyn McIntyre to Participate in Local Artist Showcase

Jerilyn McIntyre, professor emeritus of Communication, and her husband, David Smith, will be participating in the Local Author Showcase at the King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City on April 14 at 7 p.m.

Assistant Professor and Grad Student Publish in Communication Theory

Their essay proposes the concept of “passé media” as a contribution to scholarship that combines communication and geography.

Yvette Shen Shows SLC Air Quality Has Improved

Communication Assistant Professor and award-winning designer, Yvette Shen uses color to show that Salt Lake City's air quality has actually improved over the last 35 years.

Prof. Joy Pierce Publishes New Book

Congratulations to Communication Assistant Professor Joy Pierce on the debut of her new book, Digital Fusion: A Society Beyond Blind Inclusion, published by Peter Lang Publishing.

Professor Julia Corbett Honored with Alta Sustainability Leadership Award

Please join us in congratulating the inaugural winners of the Alta Sustainability Leadership Awards. They will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, March 6th from 2 – 3:30 pm in the Hinckley Caucus Room (255 OSH).

Assistant Professor Robert W. Gehl Presents at University of Oregon

The presentation explored Gehl's recent work on dark web social networking and alternative social media.

Communication Student Wins Prestigious Award

Kathleen Hunt, doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication, was selected to receive the Southern Communication Journal’s Rose B. Johnson Best Article of 2014 Award.

Tracy McMillan's "Be More You" Event a Huge Success

Listen to the audio from her address.

Kent Ono Speaks at University of Memphis

Communication Chair Kent Ono was invited to give a talk Friday, February 13, at the University of Memphis Department of Communication.

HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Research by Health Communication Students and Faculty Published

Research from several members of the Department of Communication’s Health Communication and Technology (HCAT) lab has been accepted for publication in the journal Women’s Health Issues.

Communication Chair Kent Ono Quoted in New Republic Story

Communication Chair Kent Ono added his voice to the conversation regarding racist stereotypes in the Nutcracker, one of the world's most popular ballets.

Communication Hosts Author and TV Personality Tracy McMillan

Tracy McMillan will be returning to the U to present a lecture titled BE MORE YOU: How to Get Everything You Want By Being Exactly Who You Are on February 12, 2014, at 12:30 pm in LNCO 1110. The event will include a book signing, light lunch, and will be free and open to the public.

Avery Holton Listed on Best Social Media Research of 2014

Now it’s time for a round-up of the best of the year. Our own Assistant Professor Avery Holton made the list!

Dr. Kuttner’s work featured in new book on hip-hop and politics

The recently published book, The Organic Globalizer Hip Hop, Political Development, and Movement Culture (Bloomsbury Press)features the work of the Department’s own Dr. Paul Kuttner.

Prof. Holton featured on ABC4

Avery Holton, assistant professor in Communication at the U, was recently featured on ABC4 news discussing the latest trends in social media use.

Dr. Kuttner joins US Department of Arts and Culture

This week, Dr. Paul Kuttner was named as a Cabinet member for the US Department of Arts and Culture (USDAC), a national, grassroots effort to catalyze artistic and cultural development in the public interest.

Prof. Endres's research being published

Danielle Endres, Associate Professor of Communication at the U, will have her research published in Argumentation and Advocacy’s Winter 2014 issue.

Skip Branch honored at annual Town and Gown Forum

The Department of Communication honored Alan (Skip) Branch as this year’s Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer at the Town and Gown Forum.

Rhetoric Unit makes music video and accompanying promotional materials

Check out the Rhetoric Unit's new music video and promotional materials.

Alumna Cathy Sandeen named new chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and UW-Extension

Cathy Sandeen, who graduated from the U in 1992 with a Ph.D. in Communication, was named the new chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and UW-Extension.

Chair Kent Ono speaks at University of Pennsylvania

The Department of Communication’s Chair, Professor Kent A. Ono, was invited to speak at University of Pennsylvania’s Cinema Studies program last month.

Prof. Gehl's latest article explores social media on the Dark Web

Communication Assistant Professor Robert W. Gehl's latest article, "Power/Freedom on the Dark Web: A Digital Ethnography of the Dark We Social Network," is now available Online First at New Media and Society.

Skip Branch honored as Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer

The Department of Communication has chosen Alan (Skip) Branch as this year’s Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecturer.

Prof. Vergobbi elected second vice-president of American Journalism Historians Association

The Department of Communication is delighted to announce that Professor David Vergobbi was elected second vice-president of the American Journalism Historians Association (AJHA) during the annual convention last week in St. Paul, Minnesota.

28th Annual B. Aubrey Fisher Memorial Lecture held

The 28th Annual B. Aubrey Fisher Memorial Lecture with Dr. Angela G. Ray was held Thursday, October 2, 2014.

Dr. Kuttner contributes to Beautiful Solutions Project

University of Utah Post Doctoral Fellow Paul J. Kuttner is contributing to the Beautiful Solutions Project. The Project is a companion to the book Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution. The book is a collaborative effort and illustrates new and creative solutions to create a more just and sustainable world.

Prof. Yeo cited in London School of Economics blog

The London School of Economics posted a blog based on a paper co-written by the University of Utah’s own Assistant Professor Sara K. Yeo.

Prof. Choi publishes book and receives research grant

Department of Communication associate professor Suhi Choi has published a book, "Embattled Memories: Contested meanings in Korean War Memorials."

Prof. Gehl explores socializing and surveillance in new book

Department of Communication assistant professor Robert Gehl has published a new book, "Reverse Engineering Social Media: Software, Culture and Political Economy in New Media Capitalism," which explores the mix of socializing and surveillance.

Katie Hunt receives national award for sustainable food initiatives

Katie Hunt, doctoral student with the Department of Communication, recently received the Green Champion Student Award for her work with the U's Dining Services.

Conflict Resolution Certificate program still accepting applications

The Conflict Resolution Graduate Certificate Program is still accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year, set to begin in the last week of August.

Emeritus professor publishes fiction novella for teens

Professor emerita Jerilyn McIntire has published a fiction novella, entitled "Paws in the Piazza."

Chair Kent Ono speaks at Tongji University

Department of Communication Chair Kent Ono spoke at Tongji University in China earlier this month.

U students to participate in NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar

Five doctoral students from the Department of Communication have been selected to participate in this year's National Communication Association's Doctoral Honors Seminar.

Prof. Jakob Jensen named Presidential Scholar

Department of Communication assistant professor Jakob Jensen has been named a Presidential Scholar at the University of Utah.

Prof. Corbett featured in The Salt Lake Tribune

Department of Communication professor Julia Corbett was featured in an article in The Salt Lake Tribune, which looks at the inspiration behind her memoir, "Seven Summers: A Naturalist Homesteads in the Modern West."

Prof. Lawson discusses NSA and indictments in Wired

Department of Communication assistant professor Sean Lawson was quoted in a Wired article about the U.S. indictment of Chinese hackers and its implications on the National Security Agency.

Comm Student Speaks at U's Commencement Ceremony

Communication major Janine Henry served as the student speaker at this year's Commencement Ceremony.

Successful Social Media Journalism Course Has Plans for Expansion

This semester's Social Media Journalism course, offered in conjunction with a course at the University of Texas at Austin, has proven to be a successful example of the potential of the massive open online course, or MOOC.

Chair Kent Ono speaks as USF's Grazier Lecturer

Department of Communication Chair and professor Kent Ono was the keynote speaker at this year's Communication Day at the University of South Florida.

Prof. Rob Gehl speaks about Google Glass on KQED

Communication assistant professor Robert Gehl was a guest on a recent episode of KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny speaking about the use of new technology and how it will change our day-to-day lives and ethics.

Debate Places in Top 10 at National Championships

The U's John R. Park Debate Society came out on top among all Pac-12 teams at the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championships, finishing in ninth place overall.

U alum, award winner Michael Aaron featured in Tribune article

Michael Aaron, the Service to Journalism award winner at this year's Communication Awards Banquet, was profiled in The Salt Lake Tribune this week.

U faculty, student essays appear in Communication Currents

Translation essays from University of Utah Department of Communication faculty and graduate students are published in the April 2014 issue of Communication Currents.

Avery Holton publishes article about collaboration in MOOCs

Department of Communication faculty member Avery Holton has co-authored an article about increasing collaboration in massive open online courses, or MOOCs.

Conflict Resolution Certificate Fall 2014 Enrollment

The Conflict Resolution Graduate Certificate Program is now accepting applicants for next fall.

5 Comm Honors Students Present at Undergraduate Research Symposium

On April 1, five students from the Department of Communication will present their Honors thesis research at the university-wide Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Prof. Canary Presenting Research at Free, Public Program

Dr. Heather Canary will be presenting her research on "Roles of the Scientist in Society" this Wednesday, March 26, from 2-4 pm as part of the Research Administration Training Series (RATS).

U Alum Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Reverend France Davis, an alum of the University of Utah's Communication Department, is celebrating 40 years of service as the pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church here in Salt Lake City.

University of Utah Asia Campus To Open in September

A University of Utah Asia Campus, located in Incheon, South Korea, will start offering classes in September 2014.

U Students and Faculty Top Papers at WSCA 2014

Congratulations to the University of Utah scholars who produced Top Papers at the 2014 meeting of the Western States Communication Association.

Betsy Brunner interviewed on KUED about Beijing-SLC Connect

Graduate student Betsy Brunner appeared on KUED's Contact to talk about the Beijing-SLC Connect project and The Living Gallery.

Heather Canary Awarded TLT Course Development Grant

Teaching & Learning Technologies has awarded a Hybrid Course Development Grant to Professors Heather Canary and Lee Ellington to develop the new graduate course, Interdisciplinary Research Immersion: Health Communication.

Student Public Relations Club Now Open!

The Parry D. Sorensen Public Relations Society is an ASUU affiliated, on-campus student club. Created by students, for students, the PR Society will hold monthly meetings, seminars and workshops for prospective Public Relations, or Strategic Communication professionals. Enroll now!

Mark Bergstrom Elected First Vice President of WSCA

Please join the department in congratulating Mark Bergstrom on his election to the position of First Vice President of the Western States Communication Association (WSCA), effective at the end of the 2014 WSCA convention in Anaheim. Dr. Bergstrom will assume the position of President-Elect in 2015, plan the 2016 convention in San Diego, and be WSCA President in 2017.

Jensen Featured in Salt Lake Tribune

University of Utah Communication Professor Jake Jensen was featured in the Salt Tribune Today in an article entitled "Is your mole cancerous? Ask the crowd".

Communication Faculty Helping Families with Life or Death Decisions

Dr. Jakob Jensen and Dr. Mark Bergstrom - along with colleagues in the Department of Pediatrics - recently received a grant from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation. The grant will support the development of a series of videos to help parents decide whether their child should have a permanent tracheostomy for mechanical ventilation.

Heather Canary Receives School of Business Daniels Fund Leadership Ethics Education Award

Assistant Professor Canary has been awarded the School of Business Daniels Fund Leadership Ethics Education Award for her course titled "Do You See What I'm Saying? Leadership as Communicative Performance."

Kevin Coe Receives Outstanding Article Award

Assistant Professor Kevin Coe, along with his coauthor Anthony Schmidt, has been awarded the 2013 Michael Pfau Outstanding Article Award. The award is given annually by the Political Communication Division of the National Communication Association.

John R. Park Debate Society Earns Top Honors

The John R. Park Debate Society attended the James "Al" Johnson Memorial Tournament at Colorado College on October 25-26, 2013. Over the course of the weekend, the team bested 15 schools to win 1st place as a University. In addition, the team earned a first-round bid to the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence for the first time since 2002.

War Scholar to Discuss Communication's Role in National Security

Professor Bryan Taylor, a renowned communication scholar with a specialty in studying the nuclear and (post-) Cold War rhetoric and culture, will present the Department of Communication's 27th annual B. Aubrey Fisher Memorial Lecture, titled War Voice: Exploring Communication's Intrinsic Resources for the Study of Security on Thursday, October 24th at 7:30 p.m.

John R. Park Debate Society Finishes Second

The John R. Park Debate Society attended the 51st Annual USAFA Classic Forensics Tournament on September 27-29, 2013 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Over the course of the weekend, the team won 18 awards and placed second among the universities in attendance.

Sonya Aleman Receives University Neighborhood Partners Community Scholars in Residence Award

Sonya M. Aleman, a University of Utah assistant professor in communication and ethnic studies, has recently been featured in Alumni Connection for receiving the University Neighborhood Partners Community Scholar in Residence award for 2013-15.

Avery Holton Quoted in KSL News Story About Warning Labels

A new study appearing in Psychological Science suggests the avoidance effect people experience when reading warning labels on potentially harmful foods and drugs such as cigarettes and artificial sweeteners may be more ephemeral than previously thought. In fact, such labels may drive people to consume more of those harmful foods and drugs over time. Avery Holton provided some thoughts on the study, offering insights into exactly why this might occur.

Employers and Public Favor Graduates Who Can Communicate, Survey Finds

Professor Endres Receives $500K National Science Foundation Grant

Danielle Endres and Tarla Rai Peterson (Texas A&M) were awarded a $499,541.00 collaborative research grant from the National Science Foundation. The award supports research to investigate how low-carbon energy scientists and engineers talk about the social, cultural, and political implications of their technologies and how they try to influence policymaking.

U of U Faculty and Alumnus Lead Cancer Research Study

Assistant Professor Heather Canary and her team of graduate research assistants are coordinating a DVD study funded by the National Cancer Institute. Department of Communication Alumnus, Dr. Wayne Beach of San Diego State University, is the Principal Investigator for the study.

U of U Communication Professor and Graduate Student Publish Book

Marouf Hasian, Jr. (Professor) and Megan McFarlane (Ph.D. Student) of the Communication Department have recently published "Cultural Rhetorics of American Exceptionalism and the Bin Laden Raid."

Robert Gehl: Beware an Internet for all

Read Communication Professor Robert Gehl's Op-Ed published in the Salt Lake Tribune.

2014 Cultural Studies Association conference to be hosted at the University of Utah

Several Communication faculty and students are hard at work planning the CSA conference, to be held May 29-31 at the U.

Comm Professor Receives Community Award

Assistant Professor Sonya M. Aleman was selected as the recipient of the University Neighborhood Partner Community Scholar in Residence award for 2013-2015

Professor Wins 2nd Place Prize at AEJMC

Congratulations to Professor Yvette Shen for winning 2nd prize in the category of Creative Projects at this year's meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Professor Shen won for her work on a web project entitled "Multimedia News Storytelling - A Visual Learning Tool."

Scholarship recipient Stephanie Bor is beginning a professorship in Nevada.

Stephanie Bor received the University of Utah Alumni Association's Marvin J. Ashton Scholarship in 2012 and graduated from the U this past May with a doctorate in communication. Click here for full story.

Professor Heather Canary creates a new survey measure in journal article with students

Dr. Heather Canary and two of her former doctoral students have published an article in Management Communication Quarterly. The article, "The Policy Communication Index: A Theoretically Based Measure of Organizational Policy Communication Practices," presents a new survey measure of policy communication for use by organizational practitioners and researchers.

New Publication by U of U Communication Faculty

Heather Canary (Assistant Professor) and Dan Canary (Adjunct Professor) of Communication have recently published "Family Conflict: Managing the Unexpected".

Survey Concludes Employers Value Critical Thinking, Communication, and Problem Solving Skills over Employee's Major

Click here for the full story from the Chronicle of Higher Education

Twin Sisters Earn Doctoral Degrees While Redefining Beauty

Lexie and Lindsay Kite help girls and women reject damaging media messages about beauty

Congratulations to Dr. Suhi Choi.

Dr. Suhi Choi has been awarded competitive research funding from the Academy of Korean Studies as well as a teaching grant from the University of Utah.

Professor Larson inducted into the 2013 UBA Hall of Fame

On May 23, 2013, Professor Tim Larson was inducted into the Utah Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Waterhouse Family Institute Research Grant Awarded

Congratulations to Professor Kevin DeLuca and Graduate student Betsy Brunner on receiving a $10,000 Waterhouse Family Institute Research Grant. They will receive $10,000 to fund their research in China on environmental activism and social media.

U of U Communication Student Lands Internship with International Public Relations Giant

Brooke Johnson to Join Cohn & Wolfe's New York City Office in June

Development Specialist Joins Department

Haley Burns-Hodges recently joined the Department of Communication, having moved from the U's Office of Admissions.

Comm Alumna given distinguished Alumni Award

Andrea Thomas was named a 2013 Distinguished Alumni by the College of Humanities on May 2, 2013 for her work merging public health and environmental sustainability into global corporate practices. Thomas was also awarded an honorary degree from the University of Utah.

Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund Awarded

Graduate student Betsy Brunner and Professor Kevin DeLuca were recently awarded a Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF) grant for their project "Imaging the Effects of Air Pollution."

Natasha Seegert Awarded Steffensen Cannon Fellowship

Congratulations to graduate student Natasha Seegert!

Comm Grad Students accepted to NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar

Ph.D. Candidates Sarah Bell, Maria Blevins, Brian Cozen, and Aaron Philips have been accepted to participate in the NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar this July in Maine.

Congratulations to Professor Jakob D. Jensen!

Assistant Professor Jakob D. Jensen will receive the Young Scholar Award from the International Communication Association (ICA).

Absolute Communication students present semester project to Global Communications Agency.

Absolute Communication students recently traveled to New York City to present to the Global Communication Agency, Cohn & Wolfe.

Photos are up from the 2013 Communication Awards Banquet!

U Student Places First in Nation in National Debate Competition

In individual competition Jesus Munoz earned the Dan Henning Award, which is given to the top 1st year competitor in the nation. This is the first time the U has won this first place award at nationals. Rebecca Isbell and Nicholas Jensen advanced to triple octofinals at the national tournament. Congratulations!

U's John R. Park Debate Society Among Nation's Top 20 Programs

The Debate Society recently competed at the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championship Tournament held at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

Congratulations to Prof. Robert Avery

Professor of Communication Robert Avery will be awarded the Broadcast Education Association's Distinguished Education Service Award at their annual convention on April 7th in Las Vegas.

Congratulations to Shireen Ghorbani!

Congratulations to Communication Ph.D. candidate Shireen Ghorbani, who has received the Ramona Cannon Graduate Teaching Award from the College of Humanities.

Edna Rogers WSCA Celebration

The Organization for Research on Women and Communication held a celebration for the life, work, and example of Dr. Edna Rogers at the 2013 Annual meeting of the Western States Communication Association.

Professor Craig Wirth Awarded ASUU Student Choice Award

Congratulations to Professor Craig Wirth who was recently awarded an ASUU Student Choice Award. This award is intended to honor outstanding and inspiring professors and graduate instructors.

Paul Parkin Awarded ASUU Student Choice Award

Congratulations to graduate student Paul Parkin who was recently awarded an ASUU Student Choice Award.

University of Utah Students and Faculty Top Papers and Panels at WSCA 2013

Click here to view the list of University of Utah scholars who produced Top Papers at the 2013 meeting of the Western States Communication Association held in Reno, NV.

Jim Anderson Featured in KSL Story on Media Violence

Professor Anderson recently appeared on KSL for a story titled "Does Utah have a double standard for violent and sexual content?" Dr. Anderson spoke on how liberals and conservatives object to different content, "Liberals are concerned about violence. Conservatives are concerned about sex."

Kevin DeLuca Named Environmental Humanities Research Professor

Associate Professor Kevin DeLuca has been chosen as the Environmental Humanities Research Professor for the academic year 2013-14.

Rob Gehl's RedThread Blog Post on Writing Groups

Dr. Gehl recently wrote up a description of his writing group for RedThread, the official blog of the University of Utah. In the post, Dr. Gehl encourages faculty and graduate students to participate in writing groups and offers suggestions to make those groups productive.

NCA/AFA Summer Conference on Argumentation

The 18th Biennial Alta Conference will occur August 1 - 4. The Department of Communication is pleased to continue our affiliation with the conference. The theme for the conference is Disturbing Argument. The deadline to submit papers is March 1.

Congratulations to Professor Kent Ono

Professor and Communication Department Chair Kent Ono has been awarded the 2013 Paul Boase Prize for Scholarship. Click here for more information on the award.

Dr. Robin Jensen Receives University Research Committee Faculty Fellowship

Dr. Jensen has been awarded a University Research Committee Faculty Fellowship, which will allow her to work on her book exclusively for the Spring 2014 semester. The book is tentatively entitled Expectant Voices: Articulating Fertility in the Twentieth Century.

Dr. Joy Pierce Awarded Hybrid Course Development Grant

Members of the Faculty Senate Committee for Technology Enhanced Curriculum (CTEC) have voted to award Dr. Pierce a Hybrid Course Development grant. The grant is offered through the Technology Assisted Curriculum and Instructional Media Service Center.

Alumnus Publishes Book

Dr. Lindsay Calhoun, a Ph.D. alumnus of the Department of Communication, recently published a book entitled Public Memory of the Sand Creek Massacre with Cambria Press. More information about her book can be found here: http://www.cambriapress.com/cambriapress.cfm?template=4&bid=520

The Department of Communication Hires Academic Advisor

The Department of Communication is pleased to welcome Laneta Fitisemanu as our new academic advisor. Laneta attended the University of Utah and graduated in 2007 with her Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Psychology.

Assistant Professor of Communication Suhi Choi Publishes Essay

Suhi Choi, Assistant Professor of Communication, recently published an essay, "Standing between intransient history and transient memories: The statue of MacArthur in South Korea," in Memory Studies Online First on September 7, 2012, and will appear in print in a forthcoming issue of the journal.

New Advising Survey

In order to serve you better, we ask you to fill out this very brief survey about your recent advising experience. Please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/59GF337 to take our survey.

Assistant Professor and Graduate Student Publish Article

Assistant Professor Rob Gehl and PhD student Sarah Bell have published an article in Computational Culture, a journal dedicated to software studies.

Kent Ono Publishes Three Essays

Kent A. Ono has published three new essays. His book chapter, "Borders that Travel: Matters of the Figural Border," was recently published in D. Robert DeChaine's edited book, Border Rhetorics: Citizenship and Identity on the U.S.-Mexico Frontier (Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press).

Danielle Endres to Lead Carbon Capture and Storage Webinar

Associate Professor Danielle Endres has organized a free webinar on public outreach and education efforts related to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.

Absolute Communication Meets with New York Advertising Icons

In an effort to create a nation presence for Absolute Communication (our student-run advertising agency in the Department of Communication), Assistant Professor Kevin Bischoff and student Miguel Mendoza, visited with three iconic NYC advertising agencies over fall break.

New Communication Major

Effective Fall 2012, the Department of Communication is offering a combined major (B.A./B.S. in Communication) with new courses, three of which are available this Fall 2012.