Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be woven throughout every aspect of academia, whether that is the people themselves, curriculum, or research. This is the purpose of Goal 3 in the College of Communication and Information’s Strategic Plan, which seeks to “Progress and sustain a nurturing college culture where diversity, equity, inclusion, and community are enduring sources of strength and core tenets in developing the next generation of Vols.”

Developing DEI expertise in everything CCI faculty, staff, and students do is critical to the college’s future, said Professor Vandana Singh, who is CCI’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. That’s … Read more “Oral History Project Will Bring Hispanic Journalists’ Voices to the Table”

Excellent scholarship and research is one of the core components of any Research 1 institution, and that has been a driving force behind the work of both faculty and students at the College of Communication and Information. But there is always room to grow, improve, and expand the scope of what is done, which is what Goal 2 of  CCI’s Strategic Plan sets out to do. This goal emphasizes the impact and interdisciplinary nature of the type of research that should be done in the college, with an aim to create “a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future.”

One such … Read more “SIS Teams Up with 4-H, UTIA, to Improve Digital Literacy in Rural Tennessee”

Li brings a passion for social justice issues in advertising to his work, and his research is in the areas of multicultural … Read more “CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty Members in Fall 2022”

Melanie Faizer, senior lecturer for the School of Journalism and Electronic Media, said teaching is not her first career but it is the one that suits her the most. So it is fitting that, after a decade of lecturing for JEM, she was recently given the Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award by the University of Tennessee Alumni Association. She is among a handful recipients across the University of Tennessee System who received such an award, which is given based on nominations from faculty and staff, alumni, and students.

“It’s really nice to get an award like this, at this time, … Read more “Faizer Given Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award”

He earned a Ph.D. in mass communication and education at Iowa State University in 1973, focusing on educational public relations and media literacy. Dr. Crook accepted appointment as associate professor in the University of Tennessee School of Journalism in 1974 and was promoted to director of the school … Read more “In Memoriam: Dr. James Crook”

The School of Advertising and Public Relations is tied for fourth nationally and eighth globally for advertising research productivity in a recent study published by the Journal of Business Research. 

The study examined visibility in journals articles on advertising from 2008-2019, primarily focused on the three prominent U.S.-based advertising journals (Journal of Advertising, Journal of Advertising Research, and Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising) as well as advertising-focused research in communications, marketing, business, and broader interdisciplinary academic journals. 

The ranking supports the university administration’s priorities of increased visibility of campus research in top-tier journals and having more … Read more “Advertising Research Productivity Ranked Fourth Nationally”

Faculty serving in AEJMC leadership roles include: CCI dean emeritus Mike Wirth on the Executive Committee, JEM associate professor Amber Roessner on the Standing Committee for Research, and JEM assistant professor Joy Jenkins as head of the Magazine Media Division. ADPR associate professor … Read more “CCI Faculty, Graduate Students Present at 2021 AEJMC Conference”

Journalism and Electronic Media Assistant Professor Guy Harrison recently published his first scholarly book, On the Sidelines, which explores the systemic sexism and racism that female sportscasters face in the workplace and that gendered neoliberalism maintains this status quo.

Read the book summary below followed by a Q&A with Harrison about the book’s research process and discussing these topics in the classroom:

When sports fans turn on the television or radio today, they undoubtedly find more women on the air than ever before. Nevertheless, women sportscasters are still subjected to gendered and racialized mistreatment in the workplace and online … Read more “Harrison Explores Challenges of Female Sportscasters in New Book”

To test their theories, the team—marketing doctoral student Tyler Milfeld of Wichita, Kansas, and Dan Flint, Regal Professor of Marketing in UT’s … Read more “Researchers, Bread Company Explore Attitudes Toward Ex-Offenders”

Just as new School of Information Sciences Professor and Director Abebe Rorissa stepped into his role July 1, 2021, it was announced that he was elected to be president of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T). Rorissa’s biography and position statement can be viewed here on the ASIS&T site.

He has been heavily involved with the organization for many years and looks forward to working on the initiatives and strategic plan that ASIS&T has outlined for coming years. Rorissa particularly is interested in making justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion a priority in the work the organization does.… Read more “SIS Director Rorissa Voted President-Elect of ASIS&T”