Faculty News
Faizer Given Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award
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”
In Memoriam: Dr. James Crook
Dr. James Crook, distinguished journalism educator and director emeritus of the School of Journalism & Electronic Media, passed away on April 30.
Dr. Crook graduated from Floyd High School in 1958 and earned his bachelor and master degrees at the School of Journalism at the University of Iowa in 1961 and 1963.
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”
Advertising Research Productivity Ranked Fourth Nationally
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”
CCI Faculty, Graduate Students Present at 2021 AEJMC Conference
Faculty and graduate students from the College of Communication and Information presented eight research papers and a poster at the 2021 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) annual conference.
Twelve CCI faculty from the School of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Journalism and Electronic Media served as panelists, moderators, and discussants.
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”
Harrison Explores Challenges of Female Sportscasters in New Book
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”
Researchers, Bread Company Explore Attitudes Toward Ex-Offenders
A multidisciplinary research team from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, investigated how messages about a fresh start might improve public attitudes toward individuals with a criminal background.
Knowing from prior research that the US perspective often associates drug addiction with a blemished character, the team of UT researchers hypothesized that framing a messaging campaign in terms of the fresh start mindset might counteract the blaming attitude that can make people feel less inclined to help addicts and ex-offenders.
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”
SIS Director Rorissa Voted President-Elect of ASIS&T
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”
Laura Miller Selected for Swain Professorship
School of Communication Studies Associate Professor Laura Miller has been selected as the second recipient of the William H. Swain Endowed Professorship.
Miller’s scholarship intersects interpersonal and health communication, specifically exploring illness-related uncertainty, identity negotiations, and conversations with close others in various disease contexts. She teaches courses in health communication, communication theory, and qualitative methods.
The Swain Professorship was made possible by a generous gift from CCI Board of Visitors member and former chair Martha S. “Missy” Wallen (BS/CS ’74) in honor of her father, William H. Swain. This endowed professorship was established to reward and recognize an outstanding School … Read more “Laura Miller Selected for Swain Professorship”
Rob Heller Selected for CCI Board of Visitors Professorship
School of Journalism and Electronic Media Professor Rob Heller has been selected as the fourth recipient of the CCI Board of Visitors Professorship.
The BOV Professorship, currently held by Suzie Allard, Chancellor’s Professor in Information Sciences and CCI Associate Dean for Research, was made possible by generous gifts from donors including current and emeritus members of the college’s Board of Visitors. The three-year rotating professorship was established to recognize and reward outstanding CCI faculty members whose research, creative activity, teaching, and academic and professional service have uniquely contributed to the mission of their school, the college and the university.
Heller … Read more “Rob Heller Selected for CCI Board of Visitors Professorship”
Abebe Rorissa to Lead School of Information Sciences
Abebe Rorissa will be the new director of the School of Information Sciences on July 1, 2021. He is currently Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.
“Serving as the Director of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee is my greatest honor and privilege,” Rorissa said. “We are a leading iSchool with excellent students, world-class faculty, highly qualified and dedicated staff, and alumni who are leaders in the field. Building on the strong foundation laid by … Read more “Abebe Rorissa to Lead School of Information Sciences”