Research Roundup

College of Information and Communications

Each month, the CIC recognizes faculty and graduate student excellence by compiling a list of all publications, grants, awards and more.

2023

AWARDS/GRANTS

KEVIN HULL

My "Locomotives Social Media Plan" assignment from JOUR343: Social Media for Sports Media won the "Great Ideas for Teaching" (GIFT) Award in the Sports Communication Interest Group at AEJMC in Washington, DC.

DICK KAWOOYA and CLAYTON COPELAND

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS grant number RE-254873-OLS-23. To better serve Blind, Visually Impaired, and Print-Disabled (BVIPD) students enrolled in online courses, the University of South Carolina will develop a partnership model for Disabilities Services Offices (DSOs) to work with academic libraries. Currently, most published literature is not available to students in BVIPD-accessible formats, making online learning environments inaccessible. The project will use a mixed method approach to collect data from the 14 institutions in the Southeastern Conference to understand: 1) how familiar DSOs and academic libraries are with current legal infrastructure regarding accessibility for BVIPD students; 2) how DSOs work with academic libraries to support BVIPD students; and 3) the current experiences of BVIPD students using the existing services. The result will be a proposed DSO-Academic Libraries partnership model that demonstrates how DSOs can build workflows using the existing legal infrastructure to make content accessible for BVIPD students.

VANESSA KITZIE, TRAVIS WAGNER (iSchool Ph.D. alumna), and VALERIE LOOKINGBILL (iSchool Ph.D. student)

Our paper, "Transgender and nonbinary individuals and ICT-driven information practices in response to transexclusionary healthcare systems: a qualitative study," was nominated for the Diana Forsythe Award by the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA). This award "honors a paper that best exemplifies the spirit and scholarship of Diana Forsythe’s work at the intersection of informatics and social sciences, and is announced at the AMIA Annual Symposium," which will occur in October.

Citation: Wagner TL, Kitzie VL, Lookingbill V. Transgender and nonbinary individuals and ICT-driven information practices in response to transexclusionary healthcare systems: a qualitative study. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 2022 Feb;29(2):239-48. Information about the award: https://amia.org/about-amia/amia-awards/working-group-awards/diana-forsythe-award

BOOKS/BOOK CHAPTERS

ERIC ROBINSON

My article on "Criminal Defamation" in the Elgar Encyclopedia of Crime and Criminal Justice. Criminal penalties for defamation has been condemned by many human rights groups worldwide, and has been eliminated in many countries. But it still persists in many nations, and is often used as a means of political repression.

Citation: Robinson, E. (2023). Criminal Defamation. In Caeiro, P., Gless, S., Mitsilegas, V., João Costa, M. De Snaijer, J. and Theodorakakou, G. Elgar Encyclopedia of Crime and Criminal Justice. Cheltenham, U.K.: Elgar Publishing.

Abstract: History and current status of criminal defamation statues and prosecutions around the world.

Link: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789902990.criminal.defamation

CONFERENCE PAPERS

NICK VERA (iSchool Ph.D. student), CAMERON PIERSON (L3 Institute, Hamburg, Germany), and ELIZABETH TAIT (Charles Sturt University, Australia)

Conference paper presented in - Osijek, Croatia, 24th - 26th May 2023.

This research highlights how fields like library and information science (LIS) have a special role in making sure that new technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), are developed ethically and safely. These technologies can affect how we access and use information, and while they can help with things like fixing misinformation, they need to be designed carefully to avoid harming people or making existing biases worse. The study looked at how courses in information programs are teaching about these advanced technologies and ethics, and found that there's not enough focus on these topics. The research suggests that including these topics in education is important for the future, and it proposes ways to do that, including using a philosophical idea called contractualism. The study also plans to do more research in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Citation: Pierson, C. M., Tait, E., & Vera, A. N. (2022). Information ethics and advanced technologies: Curricular opportunities for the information professions.

Abstract: LIS and the information professions offer unique potential and insight to contribute to the ethical development of automation and socio-technical systems, including artificial intelligence (AI). Professional practice, e.g., librarianship, information management, is now positioned between people, information, and technology. AI and automation will greatly impact the flow, access, and use of information. For example, AI has been suggested as an effective method to address mis-/disinformation (Rubin, 2022). Technical design, however, requires ethical design (e.g., Mökander et al, 2021) to avoid human harm and perpetuating and amplifying biases (Obermeyer et al, 2019). It is increasingly becoming necessary that some form of foundational knowledge in advanced information technologies (e.g., AI), automation, their impact on socio-info ecosystems, be part of professional education and practice for meaningful professional contribution to responsible technological development and broader societal good, for example, through information ethics and policy (Burgess & Knox, 2019). This poster outlines the preliminary findings of a research project to identity opportunities in the socially-oriented information professions curricula to support education in advanced technologies and information ethics. The first phase employed content analysis of course descriptions of accredited LIS programs in Australia to identify and assess the framing of AI, information ethics, and other themes (Tait & Pierson, 2022). Findings indicate only one (1.7%, n=57) course mentioned “AI” and 12 (21%) courses mentioned “ethics.” An analysis of the framing of these and related themes, such as digital technology and data, is discussed. A form of integration of these topics in professional education is necessary to meet future skills needs. Moreover, the philosophical theory of contractualism potentially provides a practical basis to implement info-ethical policy, coordinated professional cooperation, and advance info-ethical inquiry (e.g., Scanlon, 2000). Initial recommendations are offered and next steps in the research agenda are outlined: 2nd Phase: Expanded Australian analysis with course sllyabi. 3rd Phase: United Kingdom focus and comparison.

Link

ALI ZAIN (SJMC Ph.D. student), JUNGMI JUN (SJMC faculty), TAYLOR WEN (SJMC faculty), and KHALID ALHARBI (SJMC Ph.D. alumnus)

The Influence of ‘US FDA’ Authorized Modified Exposure Claim on Heuristic Processing of Warnings, Positive Evaluation, and Greater Acceptance of Novel Tobacco Promotional Message Among Young Adults. 106th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Washington DC.

Citation: Jun, J., Wen, J., Zain, A., and Alharbi, K. (2023, August). The Influence of ‘US FDA’ Authorized Modified Exposure Claim on Heuristic Processing of Warnings, Positive Evaluation, and Greater Acceptance of Novel Tobacco Promotional Message Among Young Adults. 106th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Washington DC.

ALI ZAIN (SJMC Ph.D. student), LI, Z. (Geography faculty), LIANG, C. (Public Health faculty), and LI, X. (Public Health faculty)

Diffusion of polarized information on Twitter and vaccination behaviors: Understanding intertwined role of moralization and emotions. 106th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Washington, DC.

Citation: Zain, A., Li, Z., Liang, C., and Li, X. (2023, August). Diffusion of polarized information on Twitter and vaccination behaviors: Understanding intertwined role of moralization and emotions. 106th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Washington DC.

CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS

JABARI EVANS

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop -- it was 50 years ago that the genre was born in The Bronx -- the Chicago White Sox are producing a short documentary highlighting the team’s rebrand in the 90s and its intersection with hip-hop, pop culture and fashion. On the genre's anniversary on Friday, the White Sox released a short trailer teasing the documentary that will air on August 24 on whitesox.com and MLB network. I served as Executive Producer on this film.

Few baseball hats have impacted the hip-hop culture as much as the current White Sox cap that debuted in the 90s.The documentary discusses the era that led to the popularization of the White Sox hat and apparel. The documentary will also explore what the Sox hat symbolizes and how it impacts the culture and community of those who are still proud to wear the hat today. The interview list is a star-studded group of members closely tied to the White Sox rebrand in the 90s: Ice Cube, Vic Mensa, Don C, co-founders of the Chicago Hip-Hop Heritage Museum, Rhymefest and front office employees involved in the rebrand will all be featured.

Link: Facebook: https://fb.watch/ml_tlRGLFF/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/1690000144693960705

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvzpMzsNciw/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoWLrubP_DI

SABRINA HABIB and JEFF WILLIAMS

Sabrina Habib and Jeff Williams are Associate Producers for the documentary TRACES, Voices of the Second Generation. The film is about second-generation Holocaust survivors.

Citation:

Aired on PBS (2023). • Rome Prisma Film (2023). Finalist Awards • Mumbai Bollywood International Film Festival (2023). Best Documentary • Accolade Global Film Competition (2023). Award of Excellence. • Palm Beach International Film Festival (2023) • Aravali International Film Festival (2023) • Accolade Global Film Competition (2023). Award of Excellence • Mumbai Bollywood International Film Festival (2023). Best Documentary • Rome Prisma Film Awards (2023). Finalist • Bedford Documentary Film Festival (2023). Honorable Mention • International Documentary Film Festival (2023). Honorable Mention • California Capital International Documentary Film Festival (2023) • Berlin Film Festival International (2023) • Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival (2023)

Abstract: In Traces, Voices of the Second Generation we hear directly from children of Holocaust survivors, known as the Second Gen. They tell their parents’ remarkable survival stories and explore what it was like to grow up with parents who survived history’s darkest of evils.

Link: https://www.tracesfilm.com/

JOURNAL ARTICLES

JABARI EVANS

This is the second essay that I have published as an invited columnist Flow, which is a media studies-focused journal managed by graduate students and professors at the Moody School of Communication within the University of Texas-Austin. There has been a lot of chatter about the future of Twitter after the purchase of the platform by Elon Musk. Even so, this change appears to loom even larger for those who identify as belonging to the community known as Black Twitter. In this essay, I argue that though Black Twitter has likely run its course as a innovative discursive space for Black people to self-express and mobilize, it provides a blueprint for how a more structured Black-owned/focused digital space for creativity, activism, radicalism and solidarity might emerge in the near future.

Citation: Evans, J.M. (2023). ‘BLACK TWITTER IS DEAD… BUT ITS SPIRIT WILL LIVE ON.’ Flow Journal: A Critical Forum on Media and Culture, 29(3), pp. 01-05,

Link: https://www.flowjournal.org/2023/05/black-twitter-is-dead-but-its-spirit-will-live-on/

VANESSA KITZIE, NICK VERA (iSchool Ph.D. student), and TRAVIS WAGNER (iSchool Ph.D. alumna)

Citation: Vera, A.N., Kitzie, V., Wagner, T.L. (2023). Queer Mediated Practices as a Method to Center and Sustain Critical Health and Media Literacies [Special issue, “Queer(ing) Critical Literacies in Response to Anti-queer Legislation and Policies”]. International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, Eds. S.A. Shelton & R. Schey.

Abstract: Queer communities experience challenges when accessing accurate and comprehensive health information. These challenges span across media and information environments and threaten queer health promotion. This paper explored how 11 queer community health workers (CHWs) in a Southeastern US state respond to, subvert, and resist these challenges when creating digital health information resources for their queer communities. This longitudinal action research occurred over two years and included multiple qualitative data types. We analyzed these data using qualitative coding, following deductive and inductive strategies. Findings demonstrate how queer CHWs: 1) identified risks and barriers to health promotion their communities experienced; 2) created health information resources that proactively guarded against risks and reactively resisted barriers; 3) borrowed content, format, and logic from other digital media sources, remixing and repurposing them in ways relevant to their communities. Findings denote implications for decentering deficit-based approaches to framing the health and media literacies of queer populations.

Citation: https://brill.com/view/journals/jcml/3/2/jcml.3.issue-2.xml

VANESSA KITZIE and TRAVIS WAGNER (iSchool Ph.D. alumna)

Citation: Wagner, T.L. & Kitzie, V. (2023). Centering queer knowledge paradigms in designing and implementing health information and communication technologies [Special issue, “Feminist and Queer Approaches to ICT4D”]. Information Technology for Development, Eds. S. Vannini, S. Masiero, A. Tandon, C. Wellington, K. Weyers, & K. Braa.

Abstract: This paper reports on findings from two studies focused broadly on the health information practices of queer persons in the American South. The first study consists of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 65 queer community leaders and members, focusing on their responses to identifying ICT-related barriers to health information. The second study is a participatory design project in which queer individuals received Community Health Worker (CHW) training and certification. As part of their coursework, these CHWs collaborated with health sciences librarians to create an informational resource focused on an issue facing the queer community. By combining the two studies, we offer additional evidence of the cisnormative and heteronormative biases entrenched within ICTs in health contexts and illuminate how communities radically repurpose, or queer, ICTs to uplift and center themselves for health promotion. Findings inform a framework for queer-centered design addressing the importance of affective value within ICTs for development.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02681102.2023.2233475

KATIE KLEIN

Katie's study “What Library?”: A Survey of Charter School Leaders About School Library Services was published in School Libraries Worldwide on June 13. The paper was selected for an AASL Research Grant. Katie will receive the award and present her paper at the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) national conference in October.

We know school libraries contribute to academic achievement and college readiness for K-12 students, so why do so few charter schools have them? This study begins to look into what's happening in charter schools with literacy, technology, and academic honesty in the context of increasing debate around school choice.

Citation: Klein, K. (2023). “What Library?”: A Survey of Charter School Leaders About School Library Services. School Libraries Worldwide, 28(1), 78–97. https://doi.org/10.29173/slw8680

Abstract: Although charter schools are a growing segment of the US education market, they are less likely than traditional public or private schools to have dedicated library facilities, staffing, or services. Currently there is little data about what services charter schools provide to support literacy, research, or technology skill building - services commonly provided by school libraries. Without these data it is unknown whether, how, or to what extent charter schools without school libraries ensure that their students have access to these crucial learning resources. This study collected data in 87 US based K-12 charter schools across 11 states using an online survey completed by school administrators. This survey addresses library services of charter schools both with and without school library facilities. The survey shows that most charters lack facilities and staffing to provide quality school library services. In charters that have a school library the data suggests the school benefits from more services to encourage reading for fun and information literacy instruction that can improve technology use and research skills. This study informs future research and advocacy for charter school libraries.

Link: https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/slw/index.php/slw/article/view/8680

ROBERT MCKEEVER (former SJMC faculty), BROOKE MCKEEVER (former SJMC faculty), MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. alumna), and SHUDAN HUANG (Ph.D. student)

Our article, "From advocacy to activism: a multi-dimensional scale of communicative, collective, and combative behaviors" was published in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. This project was supported by a Page Legacy Scholar Grant from The Arthur W. Page Center at The Pennsylvania State University’s College of Communications.

Citation: McKeever, B.W., McKeever, R., Choi, M., & *Huang, S. (2023). From advocacy to activism: a multi-dimensional scale of communicative, collective, and combative behaviors. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990231161035

Abstract: Although advocacy and activism have been discussed in communication literature, are important in society, and often aid in organizational success, conceptual definitions and valid measurement of the concepts are lacking. By searching the literature, seeking two rounds of expert feedback, and employing two surveys (N = 1,300) for scale development, this study advances a new measurement model of behavior that may be useful for future research and practice. The findings support six distinct factors of behavioral advocacy and activism, three representing advocacy and three representing activism. The behaviors are communicative, collective, and combative in nature. Implications are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.

Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/10776990231161035

ERIC ROBINSON

Article in Communication Law and Policy, the leading journal for communications law scholars. Discusses problems with applying modern libel law to irrational speakers who genuinely believe their own untrue statements, and proposes solutions for this problem.

Eric P. Robinson (2023) An Unreasonable Standard?: The Dilemma of Applying Actual Malice to Irrational Speakers, Communication Law and Polic.

Abstract: Several defamation cases stemming from apparently irrational statements are testing the boundaries and standards of defamation law. The constitutional standard for defamation of public figures, actual malice, is based on the speaker’s knowledge that a statement is false or their reckless disregard for whether it is true. An irrational speaker who believes their statement is true confounds this test. This article delineates aspects of defamation law that are challenged by an irrational speaker and concludes with a recommendation to include a stronger “objective” element in the application of the actual malice standard to such cases.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/10811680.2023.2216192

LAURA SMITH and NINA BROOK

Findings presented at Broadcast Education Association's annual conference in Las Vegas (April, 2023).

THANKS to Nina Brook for all her collaboration on this project... and to our JOUR 291 instructors for being a part of this project.

Citation: Smith, L.K. & Brook, N. (2023). Student Writing: Using assessment as a tool to standardize and improve upon key learning outcomes. Journal of Media Education, 14(3), 16-23.

Abstract: Student writing quality is a problem nationwide – in the workplace and across academic disciplines in colleges and universities. Some journalism schools use a grammar test to determine which students to accept into their programs. Such benchmarks can have negative consequences, potentially excluding first-generation and students from underserved communities. Diverse voices – with powerful stories to tell – can be lost in the shuffle. USC uses no such test but, historically, has assessed student learning outcomes in its entry-level media writing class (using a multiple-choice test focusing on grammar, punctuation, and word usage). Results were depressingly low. After pilot testing a new method using an inverted pyramid-style prompt, we have switched gears. Results not only demonstrate improved student learning outcomes, the newly-devised assessment method has allowed our program to streamline instruction across multiple sections of this required course.

Link: https://www.calameo.com/journal-of-media-education/books/0000917890fadbee747b6

LAURA SMITH and NINA BROOK

Results presented at BEA in April, 2023 (Las Vegas). Article published in BEA's journal over the summer.

Citation: Smith, L.K. & Brook, N. (2023). Student Writing: Using assessment as a tool to standardize and improve upon key learning outcomes. Journal of Media Education, 14(3), 16-23.

Link: https://www.calameo.com/journal-of-media-education/books/0000917890fadbee747b6

NICK VERA (iSchool Ph.D. student), VANESSA KITZIE, and TRAVIS WAGNER (iSchool Ph.D. alumna)

In our research titled "Navigating Health Challenges in Queer Communities," published in [Journal Name], we explored how 11 queer community health workers in a Southeastern US state create digital health resources. Over two years, we found these workers identified community health risks, developed proactive and reactive resources, and creatively repurposed digital media for their communities. Our findings emphasize the importance of empowering queer populations through tailored health information strategies, challenging deficit-based approaches.

Our research, published in The International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, looked at how 11 individuals working to improve the health of queer communities in the Southeastern US create online health information. We found they made information that protects against risks, fights barriers, and used creative ideas from members of their communities and online to help their communities better.

Citation: Vera, A. N., Kitzie, V. L., & Wagner, T. L. (2023). Queer Mediated Practices as a Method to Center and Sustain Critical Health and Media Literacies. The International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, 3(2), 160-177.

Abstract: Queer communities experience challenges when accessing accurate and comprehensive health information. These challenges span across media and information environments and threaten queer health promotion. This paper explored how 11 queer community health workers (chw s) in a Southeastern US state respond to, subvert, and resist these challenges when creating digital health information resources for their queer communities. This longitudinal action research occurred over two years and included multiple qualitative data types. We analyzed these data using qualitative coding, following deductive and inductive strategies. Findings demonstrate how queer chw s: 1) identified risks and barriers to health promotion their communities experienced; 2) created health information resources that proactively guarded against risks and reactively resisted barriers; 3) borrowed content, format, and logic from other digital media sources, remixing and repurposing them in ways relevant to their communities. Findings denote implications for decentering deficit-based approaches to framing the health and media literacies of queer populations.

Link: https://brill.com/view/journals/jcml/3/2/article-p160_006.xml

LINWAN WU and TAYLOR WEN

The mood effect: How mood, disclosure language and ad skepticism influence the effectiveness of native advertising.

Citation: Wen, T. J., Wu, L., Dodoo, N. A., & Kim, E. (2023). The mood effect: How mood, disclosure language and ad skepticism influence the effectiveness of native advertising. Journal of Consumer Behaviour.

Abstract: This research investigated the interplay between mood, disclosure language, and ad skepticism on consumers' recognition and evaluation of native advertising. During two online experiments, participants first received a mood manipulation and then read an article-style native advertisement. Results from both studies indicated that participants were more likely to recognize a native ad with an explicit rather than an implicit disclosure label, and a negative mood was more likely than a positive mood to drive participants to recognize the native ad. More importantly, participants in a positive mood evaluated a native ad with an implicit disclosure more favorably than an ad with an explicit disclosure. By contrast, participants in a negative mood responded more positively to a native ad with explicit disclosure compared to an ad with implicit disclosure. Study 2 demonstrated that the interaction between mood and disclosure language was further moderated by individuals' levels of ad skepticism. These results are believed to provide meaningful theoretical and practical implications to the field of native advertising and consumer behavior.

Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cb.2197

LINWAN WU

ChatGPT and marketing: Analyzing public discourse in early Twitter posts.

Citation: Zhou, W., Zhang, C., Wu, L., & Shashidhar, M. (2023). ChatGPT and marketing: Analyzing public discourse in early Twitter posts. Journal of Marketing Analytics. DOI: 10.1057/s41270-023-00250-6.

Abstract: Despite the significant interest generated by the Generative AI model ChatGPT, there is still a lack of understanding regarding its impact on marketing from the perspective of early informants. In order to address this gap, our research investigates the initial posts made by Twitter users concerning the relationship between ChatGPT and marketing. Using BERTopic-based topic modeling, we determined the primary themes related to this subject and monitored their popularity over time. Our analysis identified ten distinct clusters of tweets related to ChatGPT and marketing, and we provide a thorough examination of these themes. We also investigated the temporal patterns of these clusters within the timeframe studied and outlined the implications of our findings for both marketing academia and practice.

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41270-023-00250-6

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

VAN KORNEGAY

Drones Take Visual Storytelling to New Heights Van Kornegay (South Carolina) AEJMC poster presentation. Instruction in drone-based photography and videography as a supplemental element to journalism and visual communications courses can add a new dimension to visual storytelling, help win awards and make student portfolios more distinctive. AEJMC Annual Meeting Washington, DC.

Abstract: Instruction in drone-based photography and videography as a supplemental element to journalism and visual communications courses can add a new dimension to visual storytelling, help win awards and make student portfolios more distinctive. Drone-based photography and videography requires students and instructors to navigate issues related to local and federal regulations, learn how to pilot a flying camera and become fluent with the aerial perspective. Instruction includes hands-on training, familiarity with FAA certification procedures and identifying and adopting the visual vocabulary of drone photography and videography.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

SHANNON BOWEN

Keynote lecture on the importance of normative theories in communication of various types, as well as teaching normative ethics. Theorists leading the way for practice is incredibly important; it offers a framework through which we can engage in analyses and rational decision making in complex environments. Therefor communications become normative, ethical, and intentional. Such theorizing is rarely possible in a professional context, so academic research should lead professional application for more rigorous and ethically responsible actions and management. Talk was sponsored by the ECREA Organizational and Strategic Communication Conference.

Citation: Bowen, S. A. (2023, July 6). The normative imperative: Sociopolitical challenges of strategic and organizational communication and ethics. Keynote address, ECREA, Autonomous University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

Abstract: The Normative Imperative: Sociopolitical Challenges of Strategic and Organizational Communication

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

NICK VERA (iSchool Ph.D. student)

My dissertation research was accepted to this year's competitive, Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIST) doctoral colloquium at the upcoming annual meeting in London. My work will report on preliminary findings of SC young adults' sexual health information seeking practices on social media.

My work examines the impact of social media on the sexual health information-seeking behaviors of young adults. It bridges a critical gap between experts such as health practitioners and teachers – who may not provide accurate, relevant, and comprehensive sexual health information to youth – and social media sources that support health information needs but may lack critical context, quality, or accuracy. My research responds to a call within the field to connect better LIS to Public Health and to develop strategies that encourage young adults to navigate the digital landscape effectively and make informed decisions about their sexual health.

BOOKS/BOOK CHAPTERS

SHANNON BOWEN

This is a peer-reviewed book chapter in the most influential pr graduate-level theory text. This 3rd edition updates the state of theory in the field and will be used in doctoral programs worldwide to inform the next generation of scholars. Authors represent a mostly-American dominance in pr theory and this book will be the standard in that approach highly steeped in both strategic excellence and critical traditions.

Citation: Bowen, S. A. (2023). A theoretic perspective on the evolution of ethics for P. R. theory. In C. Botan & E. Sommerfeldt (Eds.), Public relations theory III: In the age of publics (3rd ed.), (pp. 487-502). New York: Routledge.

SHIRLEY CARTER, MICHELLE BRYAN (Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), CORRETTA JENNERETTE (College of Nursing) and TOBY JENKINS (College of Education and Graduate School)

Co-author, “Footsteps: Translating Experience, Wisdom & Insight into Navigational Capital for New Black Women Diversity Officers” with Drs. Toby Jenkins, Michelle Bryan, Coretta Jenerette, chapter in The Experiences of Black Women Diversity Practitioners in Historically White Institutions, edited by Tristen Brenae Johnson, 239-260. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2023.

KIM THOMPSON

This book brings together a collection of essays from LIS educators from around the world who delve into difficult, unpopular, and uncommonly discussed topics—the inglorious pedagogy, as we call it—based on their practice and scholarship. Presenting perspectives from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Each chapter is a case study, rooted not only in the author’s experience but also in a solid theoretical or analytical framework that helps the reader make sense of the situations, behaviors, impact, and human emotions involved in each. The collective thought woven in the book chapters leads the reader through the milestones of inglorious pedagogy to a better understanding of the potentially transformative nature and wasted opportunities of graduate LIS education and higher education in general. Kim is co-author of the introduction, "The Glories and Inglories of Library and Information Science Pedagogy," and epilogue, "Concluding the (In)glorious Journey," of the book. Kim is also the sole author of one chapter, "Overwhelmed or Overteaching? Humanism for Time Use and Pedagogy," and co-author of one more chapter "Tales from Three Countries and One Academia: Academic Faculty in the Time of the Pandemic".

Citation: Dali, K. & Thompson, K. M. (Eds.). (2023). Inglorious pedagogy: Difficult, unpopular, and uncommon topics in library and information science education in times of crisis and quiet. Rowman & Littlefield.

CONFERENCE PAPERS

AUGIE GRANT and COLIN PIACENTINE (SJMC Ph.D. student)

This is the first presentation of research from the Framing Research Group, consisting of faculty from USC, Michigan State, Louisville, and Florida A&M University, presented to the BEA conference in Las Vegas. The research extends our understanding of news consumption by examining the interplay of how the media frames a story with the frame that the audience member brings to the news consumption experience.

Citation: Grant, A. E., Hubner, A., Piacentine, C., Wilkinson, J., Miller, S., & Bowe, B. (2023). Correspondence of frames as a predictor of media effects. Presented to the Annual Convention of the Broadcast Education Association, April 2023, Las Vegas.

Abstract: The framing literature is replete with studies of journalistic frames, but few studies examine the direct effects of those frames on individual audience members. This research extends framing theory by integrating the media frame and the preexisting audience frame into a measure of “correspondence” of frames. The study tests a set of hypotheses regarding the relationship between the correspondence of frames and a set of dependent variables, including sharing, valence, source credibility and arousal.

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

KAREN GAVIGAN

Presented a session entitled, Never Forget: Graphic Novels about the Holocaust. Session occurred at Arkansas Association of Instructional Media in Little Rock, Arkansas.

ERIC ROBINSON

Presentation on current anti-trust issues facing social and online media companies. After years of ignoring the issue and approving mergers of social and online media companies, the federal government and the states are now taking a new look at whether dot-coms have gotten so big and control so much of their respective markets that they violate anti-trust laws. A challenge in applying these laws is that the focus has usually been on ordinary consumers, but many of these dot-com offer their services at no monetary costs.

Citation: Robinson, E. (panelist) (2023, Apr. 16). Changes Across the Board: Anti-Trust and Dot-coms. In August Grant (moderator). 2023 Communication Technology Update. Panel presented at 2023 Broadcast Educators Association annual convention, Las Vegas, NV.

AWARDS

VANESSA KITZIE

My 2022 paper, “How Visibility, Hypervisibility, and Invisibility Shape Library Staff and Drag Performer Perceptions of and Experiences with Drag Storytimes in Public Libraries” by me, Diana Floegel (independent researcher), Sarah Barriage (University of Kentucky), and Shannon Oltmann (University of Kentucky) published in The Library Quarterly has been selected for the 2023 Library Research Roundtable (part of the American Library Association) Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research. We will receive the award at the Summer 2023 ALA annual meeting.

More about the award
Paper

CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS

ISAAC BROWN, SABRINA HABIB, and JEFF WILLIAMS

TRACES, Voices of the Second Generation, our 57-minute documentary about children of Holocaust survivors is a Finalist for the Rome Prisma Film Awards and won Best Documentary at Mumbai Bollywood International Film Festival. It is also an Official Selection at Docs Without Borders Film Festival, an Official Selection at the Aravali International Film Festival, and an Official Selection at Palm Beach International Film Festival. In Traces, Voices of the Second Generation, children of Holocaust survivors share their parents’ remarkable accounts of surviving history's darkest evils and illustrate how the Holocaust has shaped their own lives.

Link

JOURNAL ARTICLES

VANESSA KITZIE, JULIE SMITHWICK, CARMEN BLANCO, M. GREG GREEN, and SARAH COVINGTON-KOLB (Center for Community Healthy Alignment, Arnold School of Public Health)

Citation: Kitzie V, Smithwick J, Blanco C, Green MG and Covington-Kolb S (2023) Co-creation of a training for community health workers to enhance skills in serving LGBTQIA+ communities. Front. Public Health 11:1046563. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1046563

Abstract: This paper describes creating and implementing a 30-h LGBTQIA+ specialty training for community health workers (CHWs). The training was co-developed by CHW training facilitators (themselves CHWs), researchers with expertise in LGBTQIA+ populations and health information, and a cohort of 11 LGBTQIA+ CHWs who theater tested and piloted the course. The research and training team collected cohort feedback through focus groups and an evaluative survey. Findings stress the importance of a curriculum designed to elicit lived experiences and informed by a pedagogical framework centered on achieving LGBTQIA+ visibilities. This training is a vital tool for CHWs to foster cultural humility for LGBTQIA+ populations and identify opportunities to support their health promotion, especially considering their limited and sometimes absent access to affirming and preventative healthcare. Future directions include revising the training content based on cohort feedback and adapting it to other contexts, such as cultural humility training for medical and nursing professionals and staff.

Link

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

ERIC ROBINSON

I was a panelist at the "Enter the Thunderdome: Strict Scrutiny Applies (*Except in Texas)" panel presented by the Law & Policy Division at the 2023 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Southeast Colloquium, Murfreesboro, TN. Recent cases have led to some questions about the continued viability of major media law precedents. The panel addressed these trends, the possible future of media law, and how to teach media law in this ear of possible change.

Citation: Robinson, E. (panelist) (2023, Mar. 3). In Christopher Terry (moderator), Enter the Thunderdome: Strict Scrutiny Applies (*Except in Texas). Panel presented at 2023 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Southeast Colloquium, Murfreesboro, TN.

FEILI TU-KEEFNER

The World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department and the WHO Regional Office for Europe invited me to the WHO Technical Consultation on Building a Global University Curriculum for Infodemic Management. I am one of the 47 representatives of academia, public health and professional associations, and health authorities from six WHO regions. I also served as one of the panelists and made a presentation. My topic concerns how to mainstream infodemic management concepts in teaching and training in my position. Belgrade, Serbia, from March 21-23, 2023.

Link

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

ERIC ROBINSON

I was a participant in the "Lawyers off the Cuff" panel at the South Carolina Press Association Annual Meeting. The panel answered questions from reporters and discussed trends and recent developments in media law.

Citation: Robinson, E. (panelist) (2023, Mar. 10). “Counselors Off the Cuff.” In South Carolina Press Association, 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, Columbia, S.C.

AWARD

JUNGMI JUN, ALI ZAIN (SJMC Ph.D. student) and YINGYING CHEN (former SJMC faculty)

Jungmi Jun was selected to receive AEJMC 2023 Senior Scholar Grant. A session discussing the research progress will be held in 2023 AEJMC Conference at Washington DC.

Abstract: “Cancer Communication Ecologies of Asian Americans in the United States” Jun proposes to identify the cancer communication ecology network of Asians in the United States by conducting (1) systematic review of literature on Asians’ communication resources and (2) surveys with Asians across the United States. The proposed research aims to (a) investigate Asians’ cancer communication ecology distinguished from other racial/ethnic groups as well as variations within the group, (b) find ethnic/community resources of cancer information and extend the communication ecology network, and (c) identify communication resources that are associated with cancer screening knowledge and confidence. Asians are the only racial group listing cancer as the leading cause of death in the United States, and cancer accounts for 25% of all deaths among Asians. Cancer deaths can be mitigated with early screening and treatment. Yet, Asians show the lowest cancer screening rates of all racial/ethnic groups. During the pandemic, many Asians avoided or delayed cancer/health screenings, and one reason was the fear of anti-Asian racism and social interactions. Findings from this project will support the effort to actively communicate and resume safe cancer screenings for Asians. This research will contribute to the field of mass communication by applying its theoretical framework – communication ecology network – into a current health inequality issue.

CREATIVE PRODUCTION

ISAAC BROWN, SABRINA HABIB and JEFF WILLIAMS

We recently found out that TRACES, Voices of the Second Generation is an Official Selection at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. It will screen at the Florida festival in the third week of April. The film also recently won an Award of Excellence at the Accolade Global Film Competition. In Traces, Voices of the Second Generation, children of Holocaust survivors share their parents’ remarkable accounts of surviving history's darkest evils and illustrate how the Holocaust has shaped their own lives. Link

JOURNAL ARTICLES

JUNGMI JUN, KAREN WICKERSHAM (College of Nursing faculty), ALI ZAIN (SJMC Ph.D. student), RACHEL FORD (SJMC MA student), NANLAN ZHANG (SJMC Ph.D. alumna), CARL CICCARELLI (SJMC Ph.D. student), SEI-HILL KIM, and CHEN LIANG (Arnold School of Public Health faculty)

Citation: Jungmi Jun, Karen Wickersham, Ali Zain, Rachel Ford, Nanlan Zhang, Carl Ciccarelli, Sei-Hill Kim & Chen Liang (2023): Cancer and COVID-19 vaccines on Twitter: The voice and vaccine attitude of cancer community, Journal of Health Communication, DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2168800

Abstract: We investigate social media discourses on the relationship between cancer and COVID-19 vaccines focusing on the key textual topics, themes reflecting the voice of cancer community, authors who contribute to the discourse, and valence toward vaccines. We analyzed 6,427 tweets about cancer and COVID-19 vaccines, posted from when vaccines were approved in the U.S. (December 2020) to the February 2022. We mixed quantitative text mining, manual coding and statistical analysis, and inductive qualitative thematic analysis. Nearly 16% of the tweets posted by a cancer community member mentioned about refusal or delay of their vaccination at the state/local level during the initial rollout despite the CDC’s recommendation to prioritize adults with high-risk medical conditions. Most tweets posted by cancer patients (pro = 82.4% vs. anti = 5.1%) and caregivers (pro = 89.2% vs. anti = 4.2%) showed positive valence toward vaccines and advocated for vaccine uptake increase among cancer patients and the general population. Vaccine hesitancy, self-reported adverse events, and COVID-19 disruption of cancer treatment also appeared as key themes. The cancer community called for actions to improve vaccination procedures to become safe and accessible especially for elderly cancer patients, develop COVID-19 vaccines suitable for varying type, stage, and treatment of cancer, and advance cancer vaccines. Future research should continue surveilling conversations around continuous impacts of COVID-19 interference with the cancer control continuum, beyond vaccination, focusing on the voice and concern of cancer community. Link

This research was funded by College of Nursing and CIC. We thank Drs. Brooke McKeever and Bernardine Pinto who facilitated the grant and research collaboration between two colleges.

ALI ZAIN, YINGYING CHEN, JACOB LONG, SEI-HILL KIM, and COLIN PIACENTINE (SJMC Ph.D student)

Anti-intellectualism amid the COVID-19 pandemic: The discursive elements and sources of anti-Fauci tweets Public Understanding of Science.

Citation: Chen, Y., Long, J., Jun, J., Kim, S.-H., Zain, A., & Piacentine, C. (2023). Anti-intellectualism amid the COVID-19 pandemic: The discursive elements and sources of anti-Fauci tweets. Public Understanding of Science. Link

Abstract: Anti-intellectualism (resentment, hostility, and mistrust of experts) has become a growing concern during the pandemic. Using topic modeling and supervised machine learning, this study examines the elements and sources of anti-Fauci tweets as a case of anti-intellectual discourse on social media. Based on the theoretical framework of science-related populism, we identified three anti-intellectual discursive elements in anti-Fauci tweets: people-scientist antagonism, delegitimizing the motivation of scientists, and delegitimizing the knowledge of scientists. Delegitimizing the motivation of scientists appeared the most in anti-Fauci tweets. Politicians, conservative news media, and non-institutional actors (e.g. individuals and grassroots advocacy organizations) co-constructed the production and circulation of anti-intellectual discourses on Twitter. Anti-intellectual discourses resurged even under Twitter’s content moderation mechanism. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for building public trust in scientists, effective science communication, and content moderation policies on social media. Link

ALI ZAIN

Opioids in Satirical News Shows: Exploring Topics, Sentiments, and Engagement in Last Week Tonight on YouTube Journal of Public Health.

Citation: Muhammad Ittefaq, Ali Zain & Hasnain Bokhari (2023) Opioids in Satirical News Shows: Exploring Topics, Sentiments, and Engagement in Last Week Tonight on YouTube, Journal of Health Communication, DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2176575

Abstract: Prescription drug misuse and opioid overdose have become one of the most serious health crises in the US health system. In this study, we examined Last Week Tonight as hosted by John Oliver in order to explore topics, sentiments, and reactions by referring to online comments on YouTube. Using an unsupervised machine learning approach, we analyzed 33,741 user generated comments taken from three selected episodes published between 2016 and 2021. Our results revealed 13 topics: the politicization of the opioid crisis, side effects of opioid use, seeking help, legal issues, reactions to the John Oliver show, drug addiction, the US in comparison with other countries, case settlements, the drug business, addiction and pharmaceutical companies, profitability of companies from deaths, drugs and elections, as well as general awareness and education. In addition, we found that opioid side effects, seeking help, and the drug business had received the highest user engagements in terms of likes and replies. Our study suggests that comments with positive sentiments were more likely to cause a more widespread engagement from YouTube users than negative comments. Link

ALI ZAIN and CARL CICCARELLI (SJMC Ph.D. student)

Political partisanship and belief in misinformation: operationalizing theory of planned behavior to predict intentions to quit social media. Southwestern Mass Communication Journal.

Citation: Zain, A. & Ciccarelli, C. (In Press). Political partisanship and belief in misinformation: operationalizing theory of planned behavior to predict intentions to quit social media. Southwestern Mass Communication Journal

Abstract: In the context of growing content moderation on mainstream social media platforms, this study applies the theory of planned behavior to predict individuals’ intentions to quit social media. We found that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted intentions to quit social media, accounting for 68% of variance among participants (N = 525) composition of the sample for this study proportionally mirrored U.S. census data. Political partisanship and belief in misinformation also slightly increased the predictability of the TPB model, suggesting that they can be used as moderators or antecedents of subjective norms in future. Potential implications of the study are discussed further.

OTHER

SHANNON BOWEN, PATTY HALL, YICHING ZHU, MACKENZIE HITCHCOCK, ADETUTU WANDE-KAYODE, and LINWAN WU

The mission of the GSCC is to push the field of strategic communication forward by focusing research and discussions on future challenges and crises in the field. We want to inspire proactive strategy, rather than reactive approaches, to the challenges and crises of the future in strategic communication. In March 2023, the Consortium will hold an intimate and Conclave of many of the world's leading scholars in this area to encourage dialogue, brainstorming, and new theory building. Although not all studies are futuristic, “implications for the future” are pursued. As academic thought leaders, we strive to create a think-tank environment to advance our field in research and theory, thus the 2023 meeting is by invitation only. We expect two to three publication outcomes from this meeting (journal special issue, articles, an edited book) and leadership in the Strategic Communication area, as there is no other conference with this focus. This meeting also positions USC as a global leader in strategic communication research and graduate study. Participants, Executive Board and Steering Committee of leaders in strategic communication, as well as the Conclave schedule and paper/ presentation topics, can be reviewed here and here:

Citation: Future Challenges. Conclave of the Global Strategic Communication Consortium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (Mar. 5 - 7, 2023).

Abstract: Keynote speaker: Tracy L. Jackson, Director. Regional Emergency Services and Communications, Broward County, FL

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

AUGIE GRANT

2023 Communication Technology Update--provided an overview of the latest developments in electronic mass media, computers, consumer electronics, telephony, social media, etc. This annual presentation addresses the latest developments across a wide range of communication technologies, with emphasis on the factors that most affect consumers.

Citation: Grant, A. E. (2023). 2023 Communication Technology Update. Presented to the TFI Technology Conference, January 2023, Austin.

AWARD

COLIN PIACENTINE

2023 American Academy of Advertising Dissertation Award Competition - $2,000. This study investigates how different types of podcast ads and their message styles impact how consumers respond to podcast advertising. The study also explores how podcast genres influence consumer responses to podcast advertising.

Citation: Piacentine, C. Understanding Podcast Advertising Processing and Outcomes: An Analysis of Podcast Ad Types, Message Styles and Contexts on Consumer Responses. [Dissertation in Progress]. University of South Carolina.

ALI ZAIN

2023 Breakthrough Graduate Scholars

CONFERENCE PAPER

COLIN PIACENTINE and AUGIE GRANT

Correspondence of Frames as a Predictor of Media Effects. Paper being presented to the Faculty Research in Progress Session II at the Annual Conference of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) in Las Vegas, NV. We investigate how frames provided by the media and frames provided by audiences correspond to produce varying effects.

Citation: Grant, A., Hubner, A., Piacentine, C., Wilkinson, J., Miller, S., & Bowe, B. (2023). Correspondence of Frames as a Predictor of Media Effects.

ALI ZAIN, BHALA, N. (SJMC Ph.D. alumna) and O’BOYLE, J. (Ph.D. alumna)

Twitter Conversations about Causes, Solutions and Effects of Delhi Air Pollution: Agenda-Building Content Analysis. 73rd Annual International Communication Association Conference. Toronto, Canada.

Citation: Bhala, N., Zain, A., and O’Boyle, J. (Accepted; May, 2023). Twitter Conversations about Causes, Solutions and Effects of Delhi Air Pollution: Agenda-Building Content Analysis. 73rd Annual International Communication Association Conference. Toronto, Canada.

CREATIVE PRODUCTION

ISAAC BROWN, SABRINA HABIB and JEFF WILLIAMS

PBS documentary premiere 1/29/23. TRACES, Voices of the Second Generation will have its world premiere at FSCJ’s Wilson Center for the Arts on Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. to commemorate UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. Produced by: Stacey Goldring. Directed and Edited by: Isaac Brown and Ana Paula Habib. Animation by: Brian Oakley. Music composed by: Tom Doughty. Associate Producers: Eric Flagg, Sabrina Habib, Lisa Martinez Petyak, Jeff Williams.

Abstract: The film explores the complexities of growing up with Holocaust survivors as parents.

DENISE MCGILL

I serve as Consulting Producer for a 39-minute documentary film "In the Bubble with Jaime" that examines politics and race in S.C. The film is currently playing at film festivals across the country. World Premiere was Oct. 30, 2022. To date it has been accepted to two film festivals, with more screenings expected.

Citation: Harrold, E. (Producer, Director), & Charlamagne Tha God (Executive Producer). McGill, D. (Consulting Producer). (2022). In the Bubble with Jaime [Film]. Independent.

Abstract: Movie tagline: In South Carolina, African American Jaime Harrison takes on Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham to run for US Senate. But what happens when the COVID pandemic sets in? In a state with one of the largest African American populations in the United States, Harrison must face not only a global pandemic but a legacy of racial injustice that makes winning an uphill battle. Link

SABRINA HABIB

Thought piece on Medium.com. I discuss the possible implications and impact of AI on creativity. Link

GRANT

TARA MORTENSEN

USC Innovative Pedagogy Grant for new course, Signs of the Times: Looking Closer at Images in the Media.

Abstract: The Center for Teaching Excellence Innovative Pedagogy Grant invests in the continuous quality improvement of courses taught by faculty who provide students with exemplary, highly engaging courses, offered either in an online, blended, or traditional format.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Citation: Edrington, C. (2022) Looking back to move forward: A review of literature to identify #BlackLivesMatter as the virtual community that sparked a movement. Hyperrhiz: New Media Cultures, 25. doi:10.20415/hyp/025.e01

DARIN FREEBURG and KATIE KLEIN (iSchool Ph.D. student)

In this article, we apply the concept of organizational routines and the theory of workarounds to a study of library employee autonomy. This research was funded, in part, by a CIC research grant.

Citation: Freeburg, D. & Klein, K. (2022). Are library staff autonomous? The influence of routines and the development of workarounds. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006221140902

JACOB LONG

This is a journal article published in the journal Mass Communication and Society. The title is "The Viral Water Cooler: Talking About Political Satire Promotes Further Political Discussion." Past research has found that people who watch political satire programs like The Daily Show with Trevor Noah are more likely to talk about politics in their everyday lives. We show that this may be partly caused by watching these shows, since they chat with other people about the content on the programs and later seem to talk more about politics in general.

Citation: Jeong, M. S., Long, J. A., & Lavis, S. M. (2022). The viral water cooler: Talking about political satire promotes further political discussion. Mass Communication and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2022.2138766

Abstract: Much effort has been devoted into understanding the participatory outcomes of political satire. Despite the increased impact of social media in disseminating political information online, however, researchers have not yet examined the potential role of social media in the relationship between political satire consumption and political communication processes. This study uses a three-wave panel survey to test the effects of both viewing political satire (intentionally) and incidental exposure (via shared content on social media) to political satire on political discussion, mediated by the viewers’ conversation about the content of political satire. This study also examines how Affinity for Political Humor (AFPH), specifically its social cohesion dimension, moderates those relationships. Results demonstrate that regardless of whether the exposure was incidental via social media or not, exposure to political satire increased political discussion, mediated by conversation about political satire. This indirect effect differed by individuals’ level of AFPH. These results indicate that viewing political satire, even when it is incidental, can make people more likely to talk about the content of the satire programs, which in turn can promote their political discussion in general. This effect was found to be more prominent among those who score high on AFPH.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15205436.2022.2138766

FEILI TU-KEEFNER, APRIL HOBB (iSchool alumna) and ABBY BRICKER (iSchool MLIS student)

The results show that the documents reviewed in the study are not compatible with the sixth-grade reading level recommended by the American Medical Association for patient education materials. This research underscores the value of communication and information science theoretical frameworks when investigating whether adults from the general public can access authoritative COVID-19 health information without difficulty. The researchers see social responsibility and community impact as central to their scholarship. This study aims to shed some light on how communication, public health, and information professionals can collaborate to provide the general public with credible and comprehensible consumer health information on COVID-19.

Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., & Bricker, A. (2022). Is the authoritative online COVID-19 consumer health information intelligible to adults of the general public?: A COVID-19 information analysis. To be published in the Journal of Consumer Health Information on the Internet, 26(4), 373-395. https://doi.org/10.1080/15398285.2022.2124493

Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether the authoritative COVID-19 consumer health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States (U.S.) and the World Health Organization (WHO) is at low readability levels (i.e., at or below a sixth-grade reading level). Major public health organizations such as these have quickly distributed authoritative COVID-19 health information on the Internet during the pandemic. However, scant research has assessed whether the information disseminated by these two major public health organizations enables access by adults from the general public. This study examines the Flesch-Kincaid grade levels of the COVID-19 health information in English distributed by the CDC and the WHO. Design: The study is guided by communication and information science frameworks. It examines the reading level of the resources to see if they are compatible with the guidelines of the American Medical Association for patient education materials. Methods/Setting: The methodology used centered on content and document analyses. The samples analyzed were identified through accessing the COVID-19 health information shared on the websites of the public library systems of the twenty largest cities in the U.S. Key Results: The results show that the documents reviewed in the study are not compatible with the sixth-grade reading level recommended by the American Medical Association for patient education materials.

LINWAN WU and CHANG-WON CHOI (SJMC Ph.D. alumnus)

Brand anthropomorphism on Twitter: communication strategies and consumer engagement.

Citation: Wu, L., Dodoo, N. A., & Choi, C. W. (2023). Relationship marketing with brand characters on Twitter: Message strategies and consumer engagement. Journal of Product & Brand Management. DOI: 10.1108/JPBM-12-2021-3787.

Abstract: Purpose: Anthropomorphized brands have been widely used as marketing communication tools to engage consumers on social media, especially on Twitter. Guided by the social exchange theory (SET) and the dialogic theory, this study aims to investigate how anthropomorphized brands leverage different communication strategies on Twitter and how these strategies are related to consumer engagement. Design/methodology/approach: Supervised machine learning was used to identify the communication strategies (i.e. message types and dialogic principles) of 125,887 tweets from 21 brand characters. Some statistical analyses (e.g. frequency analysis, Chi-square analysis and Poisson regression analysis) were performed to explore the relationships between communication strategies and consumer engagement (i.e. retweets and replies). Findings: The majority of anthropomorphized brands’ tweets belonged to the socioemotional category and the most adopted dialogic principles were generation of return visits and conservation of visitors. Consumers engaged more with socioemotional tweets as well as the tweets that adopted the principles of dialogic loop and conservation of visitors. There were clear relationships between message types and dialogic principles in anthropomorphized brands’ tweets, and certain dialogic principles were found to effectively improve consumer engagement with certain message types. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the communication strategies of anthropomorphized brand characters on Twitter using computational research methods. It not only provides brand managers a systematic review of how current anthropomorphized brands communicate with consumers on Twitter and what strategies work more effectively to trigger consumer engagement but also contributes to theory building in brand management by integrating the SET and the dialogic theory in brand anthropomorphism research.

Link: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JPBM-12-2021-3787/full/html

ALI ZAIN

Citation: Ali Zain (2023) Celebrity Capital and Social Movements: A Textual Analysis of Bollywood Celebrities’ Tweets on 2020-21 Indian Farmers’ Protest, Southern Communication Journal, DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2022.2160006

Abstract: Building on the global trend of celebrity activism and concept of celebrity capital, this study qualitatively examines Twitter posts of the Bollywood celebrities. The aim of this analysis was to identify varying discourses about the 2020–21 Indian farmers’ protest as celebrities are considered significant players of discourse building and social movements. The thematic analysis showed that pro- and anti-farmers’ protest celebrities used rhetorical and explanatory support to build their discourses. Some celebrities even engaged in celebrity-shaming and name-calling to urge fellow Bollywood celebrities to support or stop supporting the protesters. Findings suggest that global trend of celebrity activism is becoming more visible in Bollywood and celebrities are using their influence to support or oppose social movements like the farmers’ protest.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/1041794X.2022.2160006

OTHER

KELLY DAVIS

The PRSA College of Fellows has reappointed Kelly Davis, APR, Fellow PRSA to serve as one of its representatives on the board of the Commission for Public Relations Education.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

JABARI EVANS

On February 1st, I will be giving a talk at Harvard Business school with a moderated Q&A with Dr. James W. Riley. I will be discussing my field work exploring digital clout, DIY music entrepreneurship social media practices of Black youth on Chicago's Southside. A lot that could be gained by not overlooking the creativity and ingenuity of teens and young adults in Chicago's drill scene. Drillers are a perfect example of the ways in which young Black kids are unintentionally innovating within social media while simply navigating violence and poverty.

2022

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

CLAYTON COPELAND, KAREN GAVIGAN, SAMANTHA K. HASTINGS, DICK KAWOOYA, KIM THOMPSON, and LINDA LUCAS WALLING

Citation: Copeland, C.A. (Ed.). (2022). Disabilities and the library: Fostering equity for patrons and staff with differing abilities. ABC-CLIO.

Abstract: Librarians need to understand the needs and abilities of differently abled patrons, and anyone responsible for hiring and managing librarians must know how to provide an equitable environment. This book serves as an educational resource for both groups.

Understanding the needs and abilities of patrons who are differently abled increases librarians’ ability to serve them from childhood through adulthood. While some librarians are fortunate to have had coursework to help them understand the needs and abilities of the differently abled, many have had little experience working with this diverse group. In addition, many persons who are differently abled are—or would like to become—librarians.

Disabilities and the Library helps readers understand the challenges faced by people who are differently abled, both as patrons and as information professionals. Readers will learn to assess their library’s physical facilities, programming, staff, and continuing education to ensure that their libraries are prepared to include people of all abilities. Inclusive programming and collection development suggestions will help librarians to meet the needs of patrons and colleagues with mobility and dexterity problems, learning differences, hearing and vision limitations, sensory and cognitive challenges, autism, and more. Additional information is included about assistive and adaptive technologies and web accessibility. Librarians will value this accessible and important book as they strive for equity and inclusivity.

Features:
Identifies the differently abled who are patrons and employees in libraries
Details the needs and abilities of a special clientele
Encourages the interest of management in hiring applicants who are differently abled
Includes chapters written by working librarians, educators, and researchers
Offers advice to strengthen services, programming, collection development, accessibility, and legal compliance

Link: https://www.abc-clio.com/products/a5549p/

KIM THOMPSON

This chapter overviews a model of inclusion that can help organizations in decision-making for an inclusive workplaces, including decisions about hiring practices and the design and support of inclusive workplace cultures once a hire is settled.

Citation: Thompson, K. M., Jaeger, P. T., & Copeland, C.A. (2022). A tripartite approach to designing an inclusive hiring experience and an inclusive workplace. In C. A. Copeland (Ed.). Disabilities and the library: Fostering equity for patrons and staff with differing abilities. ABC-CLIO. https://www.abc-clio.com/products/a5549p/

Abstract: Inclusive workplaces start with inclusive hiring practices and then the design and support of inclusive workplace cultures once a hire is settled. The process includes consideration of why you are looking for diverse candidates, writing inclusive job descriptions and job ads, inclusive interviewing considerations, and building an inclusive work environment and culture. Each of these considerations can be examined through a tripartite approach, exploring ways to ensure physical, intellectual, and social needs are addressed and met throughout each stage of the hiring and retention process.

KIM THOMPSON

Chapter in Clayton Copeland's recent book: Disabilities and the Library. Inclusive workplaces start with inclusive hiring practices and then the design and support of inclusive workplace cultures once a hire is settled. The process can be examined through a tripartite approach, exploring ways to ensure physical, intellectual, and social needs are addressed and met throughout each stage of the hiring and retention process.

Citation: Thompson, K. M. & Jaeger, P. T. (2022). A tripartite approach to designing an inclusive hiring experience and an inclusive workplace. In C. A. Copeland (Ed.). Disabilities and the library: Fostering equity for patrons and staff with differing abilities. ABC-CLIO.

CONFERENCE PAPER

DAVID MOSCOWITZ

Presented at National Communication Association annual meeting (Political Communication division), New Orleans, Louisiana; November 20, 2022. I study media discourses that position cultural and social anxieties with particular attention on affect and trauma, cultural politics of identity, gender, intercultural/intergroup representation, Jewish identity and (post)assimilation, and media and film criticism.

Citation: Moscowitz, David. “The Postassimilationist Performativity of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”

Abstract: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have presented the world with contrasting styles of media projection dating to Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. I regard Zelenskyy’s media use as a model for effective postmodern argument by employing a postassimilationalist positioning of his Jewish identity. Zelenskyy negotiates a liminal space that distinguishes social constraint and construction to invite qualities of argumentative identification that reify how “becoming-Jewish necessarily affects the non-Jew as much as the Jew” (Deleuze and Guattari 291).

LINWAN WU and CHANG-WON CHOI (Ph.D. alumnus)

Citation: Choi, C-W., & Wu, L. (2023, March). Why are sad or touching video ads shared? The power of emotional intensity. Paper accepted to present at 2023 AAA Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

LINWAN WU and CHANG-WON CHOI (Ph.D. alumnus)

Citation: Choi, C-W., & Wu, L. (2023, March). Predicting shares of YouTube video ads by analyzing expressed emotions from user comments. Paper accepted to present at 2023 AAA Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

LINWAN WU and TAYLOR WEN

Citation: Wu, L., Dodoo, N. A., & Wen, T. J. (2023, March). How does disclosing AI’s involvement in advertising influence consumer responses? A task-dependent perspective. Paper accepted to present at 2023 AAA Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

LEIGH MOSCOWITZ, JANE WEATHERRED (Ph.D. alumna), and ROBERT MCKEEVER

Despite decades of research, public misperceptions persist when it comes to the threat of child abductions in the US. For example, while child abductions are rare, research has found that as high as 72% of US parents fear that their child will be abducted. Much of what we learn about this crime comes from media reports, which tend to over exaggerate the threat of abduction. Therefore, our study is one of the first experiments to test whether specific kinds of child abduction news stories influence parental perceptions of kidnapping.

Citation: Weatherred, J. L., & Moscowitz, L. (2022). Exemplification of child abduction in US news media: Testing media effects on parental perceptions and assessment of risk. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1-20.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to advance the literature on exemplification theory and how media coverage can impact public perceptions of crime. This 3-condition, between-subjects experimental design tests whether specific child abduction news stories influenced parental concerns, in particular their estimation of the likelihood of the crime as a threat in their own communities and for their own families. The level of proximity may explain why parents exposed to the extreme news exemplar perceive child abductions to be a problem in their own community, but not necessarily perceive the crime as a personal threat likely to happen to one’s own child or family. Theoretical and practical implications about news coverage and its impact on public perceptions of crime are discussed.

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11292-022-09535-9

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Presented at NCA. The presentation was Honoring PLACE: Digital Activism Through Communication and was sponsored by the Activism and Social Justice Division. National Communication Association was held in New Orleans, LA, November 17^th-20^th.

Abstract: From the Suffrage Movement to modern-day feminism, from Abolitionists to the Civil Rights, Black Lives Matter, and #MeToo movements, the role of communicators has been vital to activist work and social change for centuries. Today's movements rely upon the speed and connectivity of social media because through participatory media groups of people mobilize quickly, resulting in impactful action and messages that reverberate throughout the social sphere. This social connectivity and advocacy work resonates with Gen-Z learners. As social activism and engagement among youth continues to rise, within the classroom communication educators have an opportunity to teach tomorrow's communications practitioners to use their agency as creators and consumers to explore issues of identity, diversity, justice, and action through digital activism.

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Presented at NCA. The panel, Honoring PLACE Through the vMLK Project: Embodiment, Affect and Equity, was sponsored by the Visual Communication Division. National Communication Association was held in New Orleans, LA, November 17^th-20^th.

Abstract: This panel examines how equity is enacted and embodied -- and with what consequences -- through the Virtual Martin Luther King Project (vMLK), in relation to Kim Gallon's conceptualization of technologies of recovery as essential to Black Digital Humanities. Panelists will demonstrate and assess the project's immersive format and design: a transmedia project utilizing web tools, gaming and virtual reality platforms, and digitally rendered immersive audio recordings and visual models to engage the public in humanities content.

BOOK CHAPTER

AUGIE GRANT

This chapter provides a simple but detailed explanation of sampling procedures in communication research, with emphasis on changes in sampling techniques related to diffusion of digital technologies.

Citation: Grant, A. E. & Wilkinson, J. S. (2023). Sampling. In Zhou, S., Beasley, B., & Sloan, W. M. (Eds.) Research Methods in Communication (4th edition). Northport, AL: Vision Press.

CONFERENCE PAPER

VANESSA KITZIE, VALERIE LOOKINGBILL (iSchool PhD student), and MÓNICA COLÓN-AGUIRRE

Citation: Lookingbill, V., Kitzie, V., Winberry, J., Lund, B., Colón–Aguirre, M., & Hands, A. (2022, accepted). Expectations, rejections, and reviewer 2: Publishing demystified. Panel presented at ALISE Conference 2022, Pittsburgh, PA, October 24–26.

Abstract: Navigating the pressures and processes of academic publishing is a challenge for doctoral students and recent graduates. While there is a growing expectation that doctoral students and recent graduates are capable of immediately producing publishable research and survive in a “publish or perish” environment, many doctoral students have misperceptions of and remain uncertain about how to navigate the publishing process (Rich, 2013). However, while the quantity of publications does not necessarily equate to success in the job market, publishing productivity is critical in finding employment (Hatch & Skipper, 2016). As such, doctoral students need to consider the publishing process early in their program so they can present a competitive publishing record when entering the job market. Yet, many universities do not provide formal training on understanding scholarly publishing or devote efforts to include explicit content on navigating the publishing process (Hanafizadeh & Shaikh, 2021). This panel from ALISE’s Doctoral Student Special Interest Group will therefore address this gap by presenting advice and strategies for doctoral students at any stage of their program, focusing on expectations of publishing as a doctoral student and best practices for publishing research. Panelists, comprised of early-career faculty and doctoral candidates with admirable publication records, will discuss their experiences with publishing, specifically through discussions of (1) expectations for publishing productivity as a doctoral student; (2) their decision-making processes about where to submit research for publication; (3) their strategies for publishing most efficiently; and (4) their experiences with publication rejections. Panelists will provide insight into the typical workflows of the publishing process, detail the most common pitfalls when submitting research for publication, and describe how to effectively address these pitfalls in manuscripts to minimize chances of receiving rejections. Drawing on the experiences of the panelists, attendees will learn of best practices for submitting research for publication and understand how to address fundamental issues and pitfalls of publishing to help increase their chances of getting their work published.

VANESSA KITZIE, NICK VERA (iSchool PhD candidate), and JESSELYN DREESZEN BOWMAN (iSchool PhD student)

Citation: Kitzie, V., Wagner, T.L., Francis, D., Vera, A.N., & Dreeszen Bowman, J. (2022). Combatting health information injustices for community–based health promotion: A curricular outline. Paper presented at ALISE Conference 2022, Pittsburgh, PA, October 24–26.

Abstract: This paper addresses limitations of LIS education at the intersection of consumer health, community engagement, and amplifying marginalized voices. The authors propose a curricular outline for an MLIS course on community-based health promotion taught by community health workers (CHWs) who are LGBTQIA+. Queer theory and participatory learning inform this outline, serving as lenses for understanding health information injustices and leveraging community-based strengths to address them. The proposed curriculum utilizes existing research, training, and partnerships between the authors, CHW training specialists, and LGBTQIA+ CHWs. The latter received training using elements of the proposed curriculum and substantiated its offerings with their embodied knowledge and lived experiences. We plan on implementing this curricular outline in 2023.

VANESSA KITZIE and NICK VERA (iSchool PhD candidate)

Citation: Kitzie, V., Vera, A.N., & Wagner, T.L. (2022). Understanding the information creation practices of LGBTQIA+ community health workers. Paper presented at the 85th Annual Association for Information Science and Technology Conference 2022, Pittsburgh, PA, October 29 – November 1.

Abstract: This paper reports on preliminary findings from an action research project partnering health sciences librarians with community health workers (CHWs) who are LGBTQIA+ to create information resources for the CHW's community. Findings report on twelve virtual semistructured interviews with CHWs from South Carolina and eleven virtual brainstorming meetings between CHWs and health sciences librarians. The authors analyzed verbatim interview and meeting transcripts using a combination of deductive and inductive qualitative coding. Findings demonstrate 1) external barriers constrain and motivate information creation; 2) the presence of preexisting information, knowledge, and resources within the CHWs' communities; 3) that CHW-librarian pairs brainstormed how to codify and iterate what already exists; 4) that librarians adopted a reference role when brainstorming and suggested resource ideas within and outside of the CHWs' communities. Implications include strategies that researchers and practitioners can adopt to leverage existing experiential and embodied knowledge within LGBTQIA+ communities.

KIM THOMPSON and ANDREW WAKELEE (MLIS alumnus)

Juried conference paper for ALISE 2022 conference. Analyzes US library job ads for inclusivity of Spanish-speaking applicants.

Citation: Wakelee, A. A. & Thompson, K. M. (2022). Spanish-speakers preferred: How libraries can make their workforce better reflect their communities. Juried paper presented at the Association for Library and Information Science Education 2022 Conference: Go Back and Get It—From One Narrative to Many, 24-26 October, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.

Abstract: While Spanish is the most spoken non-English language in the United States (US), Spanish-speakers face barriers to information access that may continue to impede their inclusion and careers in libraries. Despite a stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the library profession continues to greatly underrepresent Spanish speakers in its collections and workforce. By looking at Social Identity Theory and the Theory of Information Poverty, we propose ways for libraries to better meet the needs of Spanish-speakers and to better include them in their workforce. This paper details an overview of the theoretical framework, provides a literature review on the Spanish-speaking community’s relationship to libraries, analyzes US job ads data for inclusive wording towards Spanish-speaking applicants, and provides practical steps that libraries can take to make their workforces and outreach programs more inclusive.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

YING YING CHEN, SEI-HILL KIM, JUNGMI JUN, JACOB LONG, ALI ZAIN (SJMC PhD student), COLIN PIACENTINE (SJMC PhD student)

Public Understanding of Science ranks 26/95 (Q2) in Social Science Citation Index-Communication by its Journal Impact Factor (IF=3.7 in 2021). This project was funded by CIC research grant in 2021.

Citation: Chen, Y., Long, J., Jun J., Kim, S., Zain, A., & Piacentine, C. (Accepted for publication). Anti-intellectualism Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Discursive Elements and Sources of Anti-Fauci Tweets. Public Understanding of Science.

Abstract: Anti-intellectualism (resentment, hostility, and mistrust of experts) has become a growing concern that influences the public understanding of science during the pandemic. Using topic modeling and supervised machine learning, this study examines the elements and sources of anti-Fauci tweets as a case of anti-intellectual discourse on social media. Based on the theoretical framework of science-related populism, we identified three anti-intellectual discursive elements in anti-Fauci tweets: people-scientist antagonism, delegitimizing the motivation of scientists, and delegitimizing the knowledge of scientists. Delegitimizing the motivation of scientists appeared the most in anti-Fauci tweets. Politicians, conservative news media, and non-institutional actors (e.g., individuals and grassroots advocacy organizations) co-constructed the production and circulation of anti-intellectual discourses on Twitter. Anti-intellectual discourses still resurged under Twitter’s content moderation mechanism. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for building public trust in scientists, effective science communication, and content moderation policies on social media.

YING YING CHEN, SEI-HILL KIM, CHANG WON CHOI (SJMC PhD alumnus)

Communication Methods and Measures ranks 1/95 (Q1) in Social Science Citation Index-Communication by its Journal Impact Factor (IF=8.04 in 2021).

Citation: Chen, Y., Peng, Z., Kim, S., Choi, C. (Accepted for publication). What we can do and cannot do with topic modeling: A systematic review. Communication Methods and Measures.

Abstract: This systematic review examines 105 empirical studies that applied topic modeling as part of communication research. The review addresses three challenges (theory building and testing, research design, and the assessment of reliability and validity of topics) and seeks solutions from previous studies to advance the application of topic modeling. Regarding theory building and testing, we found that previous studies have mainly used topic modeling to explore the production of communication content on digital platforms. Moreover, we found integrating other analytical methods and merging ready-made or custom-made data will advance research design, helping future studies identify potential predictors and outcomes of the topics in communication messages. Lastly, we found inconsistencies in reporting reliability and validity, indicating that the procedures of topic modeling have not become fully standardized yet. Our review provides implications and strategies for future studies to maximize the strength of topic modeling.

JABRI EVANS

This article will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Global Hip-Hop Studies focused on the "Hip-Hop and the Internet." The volume is being edited by Dr. Steven Gamble. The female rap artists that I have spoken with over the last two years of field work have described to me a number of ways that Hip-Hop/racial stereotypes still map onto their interactions with their online audiences on social media. Essentially, while they are serving to empower their personal pathways to digital clout and financial success, they are also reproducing the status quo of hyper-sexualized representations of Black female bodies in mass media.

Citation: Evans, J.M. (2022), ‘Link in bio: Exploring the emotional and relational labour of Black women rappers in sexual dance economies on OnlyFans.’ Global Hip Hop Studies, 2:2, pp. 00–21, https://doi.org/10.1386/ghhs.

Abstract: Through interviews and participant observation, this article examines the emotional and relational labour of emerging female rap musicians and video models who have significant social media followings and create sexually explicit content for the subscription platform OnlyFans. Findings indicate that respondents felt conflicted in potentially exacerbating stereotypes about women in hip hop music, but also as sexual performers they felt empowered by taking ownership of racial stereotypes, their safety during interactions with men and how their bodies were commodified for pay. Ultimately, this study introduces insights on the digital evolution of hip hop culture’s relationship with sex work and reveals newfound ideological tensions faced by Black women rappers who are using sexual dance economies to adopt new direct-to-consumer business models on the internet (particularly on social media) to self-promote, sustain and develop their careers.

VANESSA KITZIE

Citation: Kitzie, V., Tsai, T., Martzoukou, K., Mabi, M.N., & Greyson, D. (in press). What is next for information world mapping? International and multidisciplinary approaches to understanding information behaviors/practices in context [Special issue, “Research Methods in Information Behavior Research”]. Library & Information Science Research, Eds. Y. Zhang, A.T. Chen, & M. Ocepek.

Abstract: As the use of arts-involved and data visualization methods increases in information science, it is essential to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of various methods. An international lineup of information researchers shares their experiences using the participatory, visual elicitation technique Information World Mapping (IWM) in their work. The authors begin with an overview of IWM, detailing its origins and emerging directions. They summarize their application of IWM to describe information behaviors/practices across various locations, cultures, disciplines, and technology access environments. The authors conclude by discussing key questions and areas of exploration for IWM in information research, including cultural influences, changes in media and methods for data collection, power dynamics, and researcher positionality and reflexivity. Insights offer new possibilities for the next phase of IWM in information research, including challenges and areas for innovation.

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CLAYTON COPELAND and KIM THOMPSON

Citation: Charbonneau, D., Copeland, C.A., Dali, K., Mallary, K.J., Smith, A. & Thompson, K.M. (2022). Narratives of disability and accessibility. [Panel presentation]. Association for Library and Information Science Education 2022 Conference: Go Back and Get It: From One To Many, Pittsburgh, PA.

Abstract: The COVID-19 global pandemic has presented tremendous health-related challenges that affected workplace dynamics and social interactions. Although effects of the pandemic have been felt worldwide, some communities and individuals have been disproportionately impacted and overlooked in the pandemic response. This ALISE Disabilities SIG session will explore issues around topics related to disability, accessibility, and/or the intersection of both in various LIS educational and library contexts. The proposed session will consist of four interactive panel presentations offering perspectives relevant to the conference theme “From One Narrative to Many,” along with recommendations relevant to LIS educators and practitioners. The overall goal of this panel is to bring attention to the importance of shifting DEI discussions to a more inclusive, and welcoming Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) framework for everyone, with disability and accessibility as integral parts thereof. The panel session will consist of four panel presentations. Presentation topics include: 1) Examining disability definitions and models, 2) Strategies for incorporating universal design for learning (UDL) into online courses, 3) Experiences of disabled and neurodiverse PhD students in LIS during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 4) Defining barriers and identifying solutions for accessible, inclusive teaching and learning environments. At the end of the presentation, panelists will have an opportunity to interact with attendees to discuss the implications of the presentations for a range of various communities such as students, educators, library practitioners, and community members. To help facilitate an interactive discussion format, attendees and panelists will engage together in small group activities and conversations about practices for addressing some of the most pressing issues and concerns highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, attendees will be asked to reflect and comment on how the presented ideas may be applicable to their respective personal and professional environments and attendees will further be invited to share any additional recommendations.

CLAYTON COPELAND

Presentation for ALISE conference.

Citation: Copeland, C.A. & Mallary, K.J. (2022). Identifying barriers and solutions for accessible, inclusive teaching, learning, and practice. [presentation]. Association for Library and Information Science Education 2022 Conference: Go Back and Get It: From One To Many, Pittsburgh, PA.

DARIN FREEBURG, MÓNICA COLÓN-AGUIRRE (iSchool faculty), KATIE KLEIN (iSchool PhD student), and EV PADILLA (iSchool BSIS student)

We presented at one of the general sessions at the recent South Carolina Library Association conference in Columbia. We talked about the role of libraries in supporting the knowledge and “knowing” needs of society post-COVID.

Citation: Freeburg, D., Colón-Aguirre, M., Klein, K., Padilla, E. (2022). How libraries are addressing America’s “knowing” challenges. South Carolina Library Association, Columbia, SC. [General Session Keynote].

KAREN GAVIGAN

Presented a session entitled, Never Forget: Graphic Novels about the Holocaust. Presented at the New England Library Association Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire on October 24^th.

AUGIE GRANT

Conference presentation detailing specific contributions of women and people of color to the development and advancement of communication technologies. The history of communication technologies includes countless contributions by women and people of color, but these contributions have been underrecognized. The purpose of this panel was to spotlight these contributions, providing a more inclusive picture of the history of communication technologies.

Citation: Grant, A. E. (2023). Discovering diversity in media technology. Presented to BEA OnLocation, October 2022, Fort Collins, Colorado.

AUGIE GRANT

Conference presentation exploring the need for journalism faculty to reconceptualize objectivity and journalism as a whole to address the increasing challenges of misinformation and fake news. My presentation examined the history and faults related to teaching "both sides" approaches to journalism. Part of the reason that misinformation is rampant is the approach by some journalists to tell "both sides" of a story, even if there is only one side or more than two sides. Efforts to get the "other side" of a story often lead to amplification of misinformation.

Citation: Grant, A. E. (2023). Reconceptualizing objectivity. Presented to BEA OnLocation, October 2022, Fort Collins, Colorado.

KIM THOMPSON

Peer reviewer of Library and Information Science and other Social Science Fulbright applications based on qualifications and expertise in the field.

KIM THOMPSON

SIG Disability panel (reviewed) for ALISE 2022 conference. Introduces the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (WHO ICF) model for inclusive design of workplace structures.

Citation: Charbonneau, D., Copeland, C. A., Dali, K., Mallary, K. J., Smith, A. J. M., & Thompson, K. M. (2022, October 26). Narratives of disability and accessibility. Panel presentation for SIG Disability in LIS paper presented at the Association for Library and Information Science Education 2022 Conference: Go Back and Get It—From One Narrative to Many, 24-26 October, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.

Abstract: The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (WHO ICF) model situates disability on the intersection of variations in function, on the one hand, and social constructs, on the other, tying it to limitations of activity and participation restrictions. Thompson and Dali make a critical assessment of this model, demonstrating how it can be used to justify intervening in workplaces and learning environments in order to make them more accessible to, equitable for, and inclusive of disabled people.

OTHER

KIM THOMPSON and YI WAN (iSchool PhD student)

Refereed poster for the ASIST Poster Session. Social identity may decide the information filtered by social groups, authorities, spaces, media, and algorithms reinforces individuals' social identity. The tendency may reinforce bias on pandemic information and put people at risk. The research may provide an implication to information platforms to reconsider their algorithm designs and a direction for information literacy training programs to break the deficit assumption on individuals.

Citation: Wan, Y. & Thompson, K. M. (2022, October 31). Making a cocoon: The social factors of pandemic misinformation evaluation. Poster presented at the Association for Information Science and Technology, Pittsburgh, PA, 29 October – 1 November 2022. https://asistdl.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pra2.739

Abstract: This study explores the social factors that may impact individuals' evaluation process of pandemic-related misinformation through a socio-cognitive lens. We conducted eight semi-structured interviews to collect data from individuals. Content analysis was guided by framework analysis of the interview transcripts. The social factors revealed in the study are social identity, social groups, social authorities, social spaces, social media, and social algorithms. These factors work together and isolate individuals from heterogeneous information. Social identity may decide other factors; correspondingly, the information filtered by social groups, authorities, spaces, media, and algorithms reinforces individuals' social identity. The tendency may reinforce bias on pandemic information and put people at risk. The research may provide an implication to information platforms to reconsider their algorithm designs and a direction for information literacy training programs to break the deficit assumption on individuals.

Link: https://asistdl.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pra2.739

JOURNAL ARTICLES

LEIGH MOSCOWITZ, NANDINI BHALLA (Ph.D. alumna), and JANE O’BOYLE (Ph.D. alumna)

Our article entitled "Selling Yoga ‘Off the Mat’: A 10-year Analysis of Lifestyle Advertorials in Yoga Journal Magazine" was just published in the Journal of Communication Inquiry.

Citation: Bhalla, N., O’Boyle, J., & Moscowitz, L. (2022). Selling Yoga ‘Off the Mat’: A 10-year Analysis of Lifestyle Advertorials in Yoga Journal Magazine. Journal of Communication Inquiry.

Abstract: Using framing theory, this study reports on a content analysis of advertorials across 10 years (2008–2017) of Yoga Journal magazine and found that products such as health supplements, herbal remedies and lifestyle brands like clothes and shoes were most often featured across the decade. The most common format was a regular feature, entitled “Off the Mat,” which promotes yoga lifestyle products identified by the magazine as “our partners.” This study also found that yoga-related products and female practitioners were the most common image categories displayed in advertorials. As the use and reach of advertorials increase, in the form of native ads in digital media, this study discusses the implications for the continued commodification of yoga and the role of advertorials in print magazines.

Link

YINGYING CHEN and CINDY YU CHEN (Ph.D. student)

Key implications from the study: First, news media is typically the major source of climate change information for the public and a critical determinant for successful climate change advocacy movements, but our findings reveal that the role of news media in climate change communication is more complicated. News media’s emphasis on political claims and the use of aggressive words did not work toward building public consensus on scientific facts. Particularly, overemphasizing political conflicts by partisan media could mislead the public and foment increasing polarization concerning climate change. Second, aggressive tweets from state actors are impactful in raising public attention to the climate change issue, but they also politicize the issue and could make public opinion more polarized. As social media platforms utilize the impact of state actors to bring more traffic, how the content moderation mechanisms moderate aggressive tweets from the state actors remains an open question for more attention.

Citation: Yuan, S., Chen, Y., Vojta, S., & Chen, C.Y. (2022) More aggressive, more retweets? Exploring the effects of aggressive climate change messages on Twitter. New Media & Society.

Abstract: Although an increasing amount of aggressive and polarized tweets about climate change are being observed, little is known about how they spread on Twitter. This study focuses on how different types of network gatekeepers use aggressive styles and how the styles affect their propagation. The current study employed a computational method and identified 951 influential accounts from 7.25 million tweets about climate change in 2019 and 2020. We analyzed their use of aggression and politicized cues, and the relationship with the volume of retweets. Results showed that even though aggressive tweets were a small portion of the overall tweets about climate change, aggressive tweets were more likely to be politicized and retweeted. Specifically, aggressive tweets from politicians received the most retweets and news media amplified the aggression.

Link

ROBERT MCKEEVER, BROOKE MCKEEVER, and GEAH PESSGROVE (Ph.D. alumna)

Citation: Pressgrove, G.N., McKeever, R., McKeever, B.W., & Waters. R.D. (Accepted for publication). Investigating membership retention: employing public relations theory to better understand relationship management. Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing.

Abstract: Though nonprofit management literature frequently discusses the importance of communication and cultivating relationships with donors, members, and volunteers, research on how individuals process organizational messages is sparse. This study proposes a model theoretically based on communicative action problem solving that details a sequential chain of communicative actions that predict behavioral intentions to support organizations. Using an online survey of members of a state museum (n = 363), this study found support for how individuals process organizational messages. Specifically, individuals that perceive a strong relationship with an organization are more likely to seek out information from or about that organization. After seeking out information, individuals filter messaging to keep the most helpful content while ignoring other content before ultimately sharing those messages with their personal network. Through sequential mediation analysis, the data supports the hypothesized order of active communication processes and extends the conceptual linkages discussed by nonprofit management literature between organization-public relationships and behavioral outcomes.

LEIGH MOSCOWITZ

Our paper entitled “Well, He Is Paid to Be Violent…”: How Athlete Identity Alters Perceptions of Domestic Violence Incidents was recently published in the Howard Journal of Communications. An earlier version of this project was presented at the BEA conference this past April in Las Vegas.

Citation: Brown, K. A., Billings, A. C., Lewis, M., & Moscowitz, L. (2022). “Well, He Is Paid to Be Violent…”: How Athlete Identity Alters Perceptions of Domestic Violence Incidents. Howard Journal of Communications, 1-16.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine if perceptions of violence related to race, gender and sport will impact audience reactions to domestic violence issues involving an athlete. Specifically, this study will examine how these elements of an athlete’s identity could affect his/her perceived image when faced with domestic violence accusations. A 3 (perceived race) X 2 (gender) X 2 (sport) factorial experiment was conducted using a national convenience sample of 626 participants from Qualtrics Panels. Results provided evidence that an athlete’s race and gender could have an impact on their perception during domestic violence cases, with the male athlete (regardless of the race of the athlete) and the White athlete (regardless of the gender of the athlete) facing more negative perceptions. Furthermore, the violent nature of the sport did not have an impact on the perceptions of the athlete. This study provides further evidence about the role that gender and race play in how domestic violence is perceived during criminal transgressions.

Link

LINWAN WU

Examining the psychological process of developing consumer-brand relationships through strategic use of social media brand chatbots.

Citation: Lin, J-S., & Wu, L. (2022). Examining the psychological process of developing consumer-brand relationships through strategic use of social media brand chatbots. Computers in Human Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107488

Abstract: As brands increasingly integrate artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled automation as part of their communication efforts, marketers have employed social media brand chatbots to provide personalized responses to consumers and facilitate relationship building. However, how specific facets of consumer–brand relationships may be manifested in the process of consumer–brand interaction via social media brand chatbots warrants further investigation. Hence, the current research develops a conceptual model to examine how perceived contingency, a defining psychological determinant of social media brand chatbots, determines consumer−brand relationship outcomes via different motivational experiences and consumer engagement. Based on the survey conducted in the U.S. (N = 491), the findings reveal that perceived contingency is positively related to gratifications of information seeking, social interaction, and entertainment, while information seeking and social interaction lead to enhanced consumer engagement. In addition, consumer engagement helps deepen brand intimacy, strengthen affective commitment, and increase chatbot-related behavioral intention and purchase intention. The findings further show that social-interaction gratification and consumer engagement are crucial components that underline how consumers’ perception of contingency can foster strong, affect-laden brand relationships when marketers capitalize on the conversational capabilities of social media brand chatbots. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations and directions for future research, are discussed.

Link

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

DENISE MCGILL

My photograph has been accepted into a juried photo exhibit "The Everyday Landscape: Contemporary Topographics." It features 24 photographers from across the country. The exhibit hangs at 918 Studios, 918 Lady Street, Columbia, SC. It runs Thursday, October 6, 2022 thru November 5, 2022. The Everyday Landscape presents contemporary radically different images from the common romanticized postcard photos. The nation-wide exhibit is sponsored by Photo Society of South Carolina.

Link

OTHER

LINWAN WU

Linwan was named to the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Advertising Research.

CONFERENCE PAPER

YINGYING CHEN and ANLI XIAO

Citation: Chen, Y., Choung, H., Battocchio, A., Smith, M., Hiaeshutter-Rice, D., Draeger, M., Dong, C., & Xiao, A. (2022). Advancing discursive opportunity structure: The racial justice discourses by news and non-news local community organizations on Facebook. Paper presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Conference, Detroit, USA.

Abstract: This study applies the Discursive Opportunity Structure (DOS) framework to examine local community organizations' racial justice discourses on Facebook. Using topic modeling, we analyzed 1.3 million Facebook posts from local community organizations in six Midwest cities during the 2020 BLM protests. Results from the times series analysis show racial justice discourses elicit user engagement on Facebook, which reversely promotes the production of racial justice discourses by local community organizations. Findings advance the theory of DOS.

ERIC ROBINSON

Citation: Robinson, E. (2022, Aug. 5). Actual Malice and the Irrational Speaker. 2022 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Convention, Detroit.

Abstract: Several defamation cases stemming from apparently irrational statements are testing the boundaries and standards of defamation law. “Actual malice” is based on the speaker’s knowledge that a statement is false or their reckless disregard for whether it is true or not. An irrational speaker who believes their statement is true confounds this test. This paper delineates aspects of defamation law that are challenged by an irrational speaker and concludes with a recommendation for such cases.

YINGYING CHEN and CINDY YU CHEN (PhD student)

Citation: Chen, Y., Yuan, S., Vojta, S., & Chen, CY. (2022). Serial participants and the evolution of aggressive conversation networks about climate change on Twitter. Paper presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Conference, Detroit, USA.

Abstract: This study examines serial participants who are consistently involved in aggressive conversations about climate change on Twitter. We identified 92 serial participants out of 1.1 million replies between 2019 and 2020. Using dynamic network modeling, we analyze the network structural characteristics and individual characteristics that predict the evolution of aggressive conversation networks. Our study advances the knowledge of how serial participants and their group dynamics may spark the diffusion of aggressive communications on climate change.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Citation: Edrington, C. L. (2022). Social Movements and Identification: An Examination of How Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives Use Identification Strategies on Twitter to Build Relationships. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 99(3), 643–659. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990221106994

Abstract: This project presents a comprehensive understanding of how social movements use identification strategies across multiple digital platforms to build relationships with their publics. Drawing from a theoretical framework that blends dialogic communication, public relations, and rhetorical message strategies, and digital social advocacy, this study examines the Black Lives Matter and March For Our Lives movements. A Twitter content analysis found that Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives use the sympathy identification strategy most frequently although this strategy did not generate the most engagement from their followers. This project concludes with implications in the areas of public relations and social movement studies.

Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10776990221106994

ERIC ROBINSON and DANIEL HAUN (PhD alumnus)

Citation: Haun, D.D. & Robinson, E.P. (2022), Do You Agree?: The Psychology and Legalities of Assent to Clickwrap Agreements, Richmond Journal of Law & Technology, 28:4, 623-656.

Abstract: When first accessing a website or online service, users are confronted with terms of service and privacy policies. These terms and policies are adhesion contracts which the user must accept to use the website or service. Virtually all users simply click “I agree” without reading the terms of these contracts. The law construes this as consent based on whether a “reasonable person” would understand that the click constitutes assent to those terms and policies. But studies show that various psychological factors such as obedience of authority can play a role in ill-informed acceptance of such contracts. This article argues that the law should take such psychological factors into account and suggests a framework for doing so.

Link: https://jolt.richmond.edu/files/2022/08/Haun-Robinson-Final-for-Publication.pdf

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CANDICE EDRINGTON

I participated in this month's Sydney Lectures panel. This panel featured some public relations giants (Coombs, Botan, Heath, Kruckeberg, Hallahan etc.) who discussed their foundational definitions of public relations and new(er) scholars (myself and others) who provided critical feedback of these definitions. Sydney Lectures is a lecture series out of Sydney, Australia hosted virtually by Dr. Michael L. Kent.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE3MF9jCFZM

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Designed to be given at the end of the semester, the one-minute campaign assignment is a culminating out-of-class assignment for graduate students in an introductory strategic communications course but could also be used in an advanced undergraduate public relations course. Understanding the strategic communication principles, students are expected to combine their knowledge and skill set to creatively and effectively deliver a key message to their audience based on their topic selection.

ERIC ROBINSON

Citation: Robinson, E. (panelist) (2022, Aug. 2). Clarence Brandenberg. In Christopher Terri (moderator), “Deplorable’s” Speech: The Radicals, Scoundrels and Rouges Behind Free Speech Precedents. Panel presented at 2022 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Convention, Detroit.

Abstract: Presentation on Clarence Brandenberg, a KKK member whose prosecution led to the adoption of the "imminent lawless action" standard for restrictions on speech, at 2022 AEJMC annual convention.

ERIC ROBINSON

Citation: Robinson, E. (panelist) (2022, Aug. 2). Clarence Brandenberg. In Christopher Terry (moderator), “Deplorable’s” Speech: The Radicals, Scoundrels and Rouges Behind Free Speech Precedents. Panel presented at 2022 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Convention, Detroit.

On a panel looking at speakers whose offensive speech led to major U.S. Supreme Court free speech rulings, I examined the life and motivations of KKK member Clarence Brandenburg, whose case established the "imminent lawless action" standard for government restrictions on speech.

JABARI EVANS

Citation: Evans, J.M. (2022). Exploring the Labor Practices of Hip-Hop's Female Community of Practice Within the Sexual Marketplace of OnlyFans. Paper presented at the Microsoft Race and Technology Researcher Summit and Workshop. Invited Collaborator and Panelist in affiliation with the Microsoft Research New England Social Media Collective. Cambridge, MA. August 3-5.

As a follow up to this year’s Microsoft Race & Tech Research Lecture Series, the Microsoft Race and Tech Research Workshop was designed to germinate and/or further develop research papers and projects addressing the critical intersection of race, caste, Indigeneity, technology and the future of work. The goals of the workshop were to:

Network with other scholars working in this space in order to enrich and develop collaborations on papers/projects that meaningfully address the intersections of race, technology, and the future of work
Identify gaps and priorities in this area to develop a broader research agenda at the intersection of race/tech/future of work

YINGYING CHEN

Citation: Chen, Y. (June 2022) Finding needles in a haystack? Advancing communication research with computational social science (CSS) approaches. Invited presentation at the Department of Information Management, Peking University. Online.

The invited presentation talks about the tools, strategies, and pitfalls of using computational social science research methods to make theoretical contributions to communication studies.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

CLAYTON COPELAND

Library Journal and School Library Journal (LJ &SLJ) Professional Development Series - Equity in Action: Solidarity in Social Justice

2nd session in the series

Aligning Accessibility and Inclusion Learn how to advocate for disability justice at your library in this session. You’ll learn how to align your physical spaces and accessibility level with your commitment to inclusion and solidarity, and ensure that accessibility is a priority, not an afterthought. (This may include details that are not as obvious, like scents, lighting, stimming, sensory overwhelm, and seating to accommodate a range of bodies.) You’ll learn about short- and long-term changes you can make to improve accessibility at your institution, and ensure equitable services and access to members of your community and coworkers who have disabilities, both visible and invisible.

Link: https://www.libraryjournal.com/event/equity-in-action-april-2022#program

JABARI EVANS

Citation: Evans, J.M. (2022). The Anatomy of Digital Clout(chasing): Examining Visibility, Relational Labor and Empowerment Strategies of Black Youth in Chicago’s Drill Rap Scene. Invited Speaker and Discussant at the Internet Researchers Roundtable at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York Sponsored by Google. New York, NY. August 21-23.

This was an invitation-only meeting of researchers working to understand the Internet's impact on public discourse is being held at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Monday, Aug. 22 and the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 23. Discussions were be moderated by Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan . The event was hosted by the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia in addition to the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.

OTHER

KEVIN HULL

Named to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Sports Media.

AWARDS/GRANTS

ALI ZAIN

Mass Communication and Society Travel Grant: To attend 105th annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference in Detroit, MI (1,000 USD)

ALI ZAIN

First Place Moeller Student Paper Award: For presenting ”Moralization in Polarized Debate on COVID-19 Vaccination: Human-AI Collaborative Analysis of Tweets” at 105th annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference (including 250 USD cash prize and waiver of conference registration fee worth 200 USD)

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Citation: Edrington, C. (2022). Can You Hear Me Now? How #ShareTheMicNow used Dialogue and Collaboration to Amplify the Voices of Black Women. In J. Katz Jameson & M. Hannah (Ed.), Volume I Contemporary Trends in Conflict and Communication: Technology and Social Media (pp. 91-108). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110687262-007

Abstract: The first half of 2020 proved to be very busy as Americans were forced to tackle two pandemics: COVID-19 and racism. While COVID-19 began in other countries before making its way to the U.S., the racial injustices that were taking place in the United States sparked unprecedented protests around the globe. The stay-at-home orders established due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced citizens to not only take a break, but to take inventory of the harsh realizations lived by African Americans every day. Three deaths of unarmed Black people (Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd) over the span of a few months prompted a resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement both online and offline. Although the deaths of Arbery and Floyd received much attention from the media, Taylor’s death was not publicized nearly as much. The lack of media attention surrounding Taylor’s death, in comparison to both Arbery and Floyd, illuminated the intersectional invisibility of Black women and their voices. Created for the purpose of amplifying the voices of Black women, Bozoma Saint John initiated the #SharetheMicNow campaign. This campaign suggested that relationships between White women of power and Black women are a step in the right direction in the fight for social justice. The goal of this chapter is to highlight how White women of celebrity stature allowed Black women activists and celebrities to take over their Instagram accounts for a day to discuss their social justice efforts and to share how others could get involved. Using a case study approach, this chapter seeks to reveal how the #SharetheMicNow campaign used technology to promote dialogue and collaboration during a time of heightened awareness of racial injustice.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110687262-007

CONFERENCE PAPER

ALI ZAIN and JACOB LONG (SJMC Faculty)

Citation: Zain, A. and Long, J. (2022, August). Countering online misinformation: testing impact of state sponsorship labels on message credibility, verification intention and behavior. 105th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Detroit, MI.

Abstract: Exploring efficacy of state-sponsored media labels to counter misinformation on social media, this study found such labels had significant effect on behavioral tendency to visit verified information. However, the effect on message credibility and verification intention was statistically insignificant. Label’s effect also remained the same across mainstream social media platforms. Results showed that effect of label on accessing verified information did not mediate through message credibility and verification intention, indicating participants exclusively relied on heuristic cues to make a behavioral decision as suggested by the Heuristic Systematic Model.

ALI ZAIN

Citation: Zain, A. (2022, August). Spiral of silence 50 years later: conceptual and empirical new directions. 105th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Detroit, MI.

Abstract: Building on 50-year research on spiral of silence, this study reviews extant literature to understand how the SOS has enabled researchers to explain public opinion in contemporary new media environment. The review suggests that digital media technologies not only provide opportunities to directly study SOS phenomena including selective exposure, fear of isolation, and anti-spiraling but also test key assumptions of this framework using sophisticated quantitative and computational methods. Potential future directions of research are discussed.

ALI ZAIN

Abstract: This study investigates moralization in polarized opinions about COVID-19 vaccines. It classified tweets into anti- and pro-vaccination and compared their moral foundations, topics, emotions, and sentiments, using human-AI collaborative analysis. Findings showed that anti- and pro-vaccination tweets were more likely to carry vice and virtue moral foundations, and specifically authority/subversion and loyalty/cheating, respectively. Topics, emotions, and sentiments also differed between anti- and pro-vaccination tweets. Findings signify use of moralization to understand debates surrounding healthcare issues.

FEILI TU-KEEFNER

CITATION: Tu-Keefner, F., Lyons, D. R., & Hobbs, A. (2022, July 26-29). Supporting library staff in Emergencies and natural disasters [Poster presentation]. To be presented at the 87th IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Dublin, Ireland.

Abstract: Society today expects libraries to be information service providers and serve as catalysts for community engagement. The mission of librarians is to improve society through facilitating knowledge creation, preservation, and dissemination. When the pandemic began, many libraries closed their doors, yet they took the opportunity to transform their services to various types of formats and continue the provision of essential information and innovative services to their user communities. This poster covers and shares examples of how librarians have stepped up to being leaders in the communities they serve, especially focusing on how librarians have gone far beyond to provide non-traditional library services to their communities, during the pandemic and beyond. It addresses the significance of creating diversified workforce in libraries, as well as how to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the libraries' strategic plans. The poster also highlights leadership qualifications in times of crisis, taken from the results of three situation-specific studies on the provision of disaster health-information services by public libraries. Additionally, tips for community engagement will be shared based on results from several information professionals from several different countries.

LUCILIA GREEN, JENNA SPIERING (iSchool Faculty), and JESSELYN BOWMAN DREESZAN (iSchool PhD Student)

Citation: Spiering, J., Bowman, J. D., & Green, L. (2022). A systematic review of K-12 LGBTQIA+ school and public library research. International Association of School Librarianship International Conference, Columbia, SC.

Abstract: To date, an exhaustive examination of LGBTQIA+ topics in international school and public library research has not been conducted. Studies on the topic tend to privilege North American library settings, and are frequently based on previous works published in English, often not considering the varied contexts and cultural issues at play in different countries. The IFLA School Library Guidelines clearly state “school libraries around the world, in their many forms, share a common purpose: the enhancement of teaching and learning for all;” a statement based on a core IFLA value, “the belief that people, communities, and organizations need universal and equitable access to information, ideas and works of imagination for their social, educational, cultural, democratic, and economic well-being” (Schultz-Jones and Oberg, 2015, p. 12). Such inclusivity in school library practice is bolstered by inclusivity in school and children's library research. The study significantly contributes to school and children's library practice by aggregating and presenting school and public library research on LGBTQIA+ students, communities, policies, and issues in an accessible and thematic manner. It further contribute to school and children's library research in two ways: a) by identifying gaps in school and public library research on LGBTQIA+ topics that need to be addressed, and b) by highlighting both problematic and successful approaches, settings, procedures and methodologies in the examination of LGBTQIA+ topics and populations.

LUCILIA GREEN

This session brings together a collection of presentations highlighting the ways libraries in different communities have harnessed the healing power of reading and literacy in partnership with music, art and other creative efforts, to enable community healing and well-being; reading for the heart, the mind and the soul.

Citation: Green, L. (July, 2022). Music + literacy for children at your library. IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Dublin, Ireland.

Link: https://iflawlic2022.abstractserver.com/program/#/details/sessions/134

SABRINA HABBIB

Paper presented at AEJMC Detroit, 2022.

Citation: Habib, S.; Vogel, T.; Villegas, J.: (2022) Mind the Gap: Are Societal and Technological Changes Reflected in the Advertising Curriculum? AEJMC National Convention, Detroit, MI.

SABRINA HABBIB

Paper presented at Creativity Conference, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR.

Citation: Thorne, E., Habib, S.; Vogel, T., (2022) Teaching Towards Creative Agency. Creativity Conference, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR.

Abstract: Developing students‚ creative agency is a delicate balance of providing enough creative constraints to scaffold learning while allowing students the freedom to determine their creative process and build creative confidence through trial and error. There are many challenges to prioritizing creative agency within an educational paradigm that was built for passive delivery of instruction including shifting student mindsets, balancing power dynamics, assessment of individualized learning, or limited resources and time needed for project-based learning.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

ALI ZAIN, JUNGMI JUN (SJMC Faculty), MARY ANN FITZPATRICK (SJMC Faculty), and NANLAN ZHANG (PhD Alumna)

Citation: Jun, J., Fitzpatrick, MA., Zain, A. and Zhang, N. (2022). Have e-cigarette risk perception and cessation intent of young adult users changed during the Pandemic? American Journal of Health Behaviors, 46 (3), 304-314(11). https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.46.3.9

Abstract: Objectives: Emerging evidence indicates that young adults who use e-cigarettes can withhold greater exposure to COVID-19 risk. We examine how young e-cigarette users perceive COVID-19 related threat of e-cigarette use and benefit of cessation as compared to traditional ones, applying the health belief model. We investigate changes of such perceptions during the pandemic and their associations with past attempt and future intent to quit e-cigarette use. Methods: We collected responses from US young adults (aged 18-25) who have used e-cigarettes in the past month by conducting 2 waves of online surveys in 2020 (wave 1, N=165) and 2021 (wave 2, N=347). Results: Young e-cigarette users in wave 2 reported greater estimates of COVID-19 and traditional threat as well as COVID-19 and traditional benefit of quitting than wave 1. However, we also found significant increases of e-cig dependence, perceived barriers of quitting, and the percentage of young e-cigarette users (33%) who had never attempted to quit in the past month. Importantly, a COVID-19 benefit of cessation and efficacy of quitting were significantly associated with cessation intent. Conclusions: Ongoing efforts are required to track post-pandemic e-cigarette risk perceptions and behaviors, as well as to identify strategies to mitigate increased dependence and usage of e-cigarettes.

Link: https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.46.3.9

AMIR KARAMI, SPRING B. CLARK (iSchool alumna), ANDERSON MACKENZIE (iSchool Alumna), DORATHEA LEE (Honors College), MICHAEL ZHU (Honors College), HANNAH R. BOYAJIEFF (Honors College), and BAILEY GOLDSCHMIDT (Honors College)

Citation: Karami, A., Clark, S. B., Mackenzie, A., Lee, D., Zhu, M., Boyajieff, H. R., & Goldschmidt, B. (2022). 2020 US presidential election in swing states: Gender differences in Twitter conversations. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 2(2), 100097.

Abstract: Social media is commonly used by the public during election campaigns to express their opinions regarding different issues. Among various social media channels, Twitter provides an efficient platform for researchers and politicians to explore public opinion regarding a wide range of topics such as the economy and foreign policy. Current literature mainly focuses on analyzing the content of tweets without considering the gender of users. This research collects and analyzes a large number of tweets and uses computational, human coding, and statistical analyses to identify topics in more than 300,000 tweets posted during the 2020 U.S. presidential election and to compare female and male users regarding the average weight of the discussed topics. Our findings are based upon a wide range of topics, such as tax, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of the topics, there exists a significant difference between female and male users for more than 70% of topics.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667096822000404

JABARI EVANS

Citation: Evans, J. M. (2022). Exploring Social Media Contexts for Cultivating Connected Learning with Black Youth in Urban Communities: the case of Dreamer Studio. Qualitative Sociology, DOI: 10.1007/s11133-022-09514-6.

Abstract: Using the Connected Learning framework as a conceptual lens, this study utilizes digital ethnographic methods to explore outcomes of a Hip-Hop Based Education program developed to provide music related career pathways for Chicago youth. Using the narratives of the participants within the program, I draw on participant observation online and in-depth interviews collected to explore the link between the tenets of Connected Learning and digital participation in this artistic community of practice. I explore participants’ work within social media platforms toward building their creative skill, cultivating a public voice, connecting to mentors and communication that strengthens the social bonds within their peer community. This study’s findings affirm prior studies that suggest late adolescence is an important time frame where children are developing social identities online in affinity spaces, but in ways that are tied to civic engagement, self-empowerment and critical skill development for their future pathways. To conclude, I suggest that investigating participant activity on social media platforms as a part of field work can help ethnographers to better connect their impact to the agency and life trajectories of their youth participants.

JUNGMI JUN, MARY ANNE FITZPATRICK (SJMC Faculty), ALI ZAIN (Ph.D. Student), and NANLAN ZHANG (SJMC Ph.D. alumna)

Citation: Jun, J., Fitzpatrick M. A., Zain, A. & Zhang, N. (2022). Have e-cigarette risk perception and cessation intent of young adult users changed during the pandemic? American Journal of Health Behaviors. 46(3), 303-313. DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.46.3.9.

Link: https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.46.3.9

LAURA SMITH, ERIC ROBINSON, and CARMEN MAYE

Citation: Smith, L.K., Robinson, E. & Maye, C. (2022). Improving Assessment Results: Experimenting With Data Collection Methods in a Law & Ethics Course. Journal of Media Education (publication pending, July edition).

Abstract: This three-year project sought to determine what method is best for collecting posttest data and better measure what students are actually learning in a given course. It explores learning outcomes within a Law & Ethics course in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Students demonstrate knowledge on key concepts in one of two conditions: (1) an optional, semester-ending quiz that students take to help them prepare for the class final, or (2) on questions embedded within a final exam. Findings show students perform significantly better in the second condition, suggesting that students score higher when more “weight” is attached to their ultimate performance. Findings were duplicated in years two and three of the project, providing a path to more reliable and valid assessment data in the SJMC.

Link: https://en.calameo.com/journal-of-media-education/read/000091789683f3a469a55

LUCILIA GREEN and DR. KAREN CHASSEREAU (Candler County Schools)

Citation: Green, L., & Chassereau, K. (in press). Modeling guided inquiry and school librarian instructional partnerships to pre-service teachers through digital video production. Journal of Education for Library & Information Science. Advanced Access.

Abstract: The last ten years in school library research reflect an expanded definition of information literacy along with a stronger emphasis on in-depth information literacy development, concluding that a fundamental shift in instruction provided by school librarians is needed; one that not only helps students find information, but develops students’ abilities to interact with, and learn from information, engaging with it in critical ways. Collaboratively designed and implemented through an instructional partnership between the school librarian and a classroom teacher, Guided Inquiry instruction helps students gain meaningful understanding and develop a personal perspective by exploring, comparing, and contrasting multiple information sources. Despite the frequently touted benefits of instructional partnerships between school librarians and classroom teachers, these structures are rarely, if ever, modeled by school library and pre-service teacher educators. This study examined the process and challenges inherit in designing and modeling Guided Inquiry units of instruction, through a school librarian instructional partnership model, in pre-service teacher education, exploring its impact on teacher candidate willingness to identify school librarians as co-teachers. Findings from the present study indicate Guided Inquiry units co-taught by school library educators and teacher educators help teacher candidates both successfully navigate the research process and develop a mental model of the school librarian as a co-teacher.

ROBERT MCKEEVER, FRANKWADDELL (Journalism faculty, University of Florida), and HOLLY OVERTON (former SJMC faculty)

Citation: Waddell, T.F., Overton, H., & McKeever, R. (in press). Does Sample Source Matter for Theory? Testing Model Invariance with the Influence of Presumed Influence Model across Amazon Mechanical Turk and Qualtrics Panels. Computers in Human Behavior

Abstract: Online data collection services are increasingly common for testing mass communication theory. However, how consistent are the theoretical tenets of theory when tested across different online data services? A pre-registered online survey (N = 1,546) examined the influence of the presumed influence model across subjects simultaneously recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and Qualtrics Panels. Results revealed that model parameters were mostly consistent with the IPI theory regardless of data source. Methodological implications are discussed.

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

FEILI TU-KEEFNER and ABBY BRICKER (iSchool Grad Student)

Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., & Bricker, A. (2022, July 26-29). Fighting an infodemic through accurate, intelligible COVID-19 Information: An analysis of the readability level of authoritative online consumer health information. To be presented at the 87th IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Dublin, Ireland.

Abstract: Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 virus and its variants have affected lives worldwide and have advanced a mistrust of science. The World Health Organization points out that global health professionals, public health professionals, and information professionals have fought not only against this rapidly evolving virus but against an infodemic as well. Because uncertainty, fear, conspiracy theories, and distrust are associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the public needs access to accurate information and clear, specific instructions to help them act appropriately. Therefore, source credibility is key to successful risk communication.

During this public health crisis, people must be able to identify and access specific and comprehensible information in order to protect themselves and their families. Individuals need information that is easy to understand, makes sense based on their knowledge, is convenient to access, and is easy to use. Also, it must be accurate and come from authoritative sources to aid in behavior changes and health decision-making. Public health experts suggest that a critical component of source credibility is the use of multiple channels, including Internet portals, to disseminate reliable information to those who need it. Therefore, the Internet is a major source for publishing, disseminating, and accessing massive lay- and professional-oriented COVID-19 information because of its 24/7 availability and easy access.

This study examines the Flesch-Kincaid grade levels of the COVID-19 consumer health information in English published by credible sources (for example, public health agencies) shared on the websites of the public library systems of the twenty largest cities in the U.S. It investigates whether the information provided by these authoritative organizations can support the evidence-based health information access activities of adults from the general public in the U.S. This content analytical study examines the reading level of the resources to see if they are compatible with the guidelines of the American Medical Association for patient education materials (i.e., at a sixth-grade level). The results show that the documents reviewed in the study are not compatible with this reading level. Information provided by authoritative sources must be made easy to understand and access, or it cannot support the fight against the current infodemic. Communication professionals, public health professionals, and information professionals must monitor online COVID-19 consumer health information to assess whether the general public can easily access it and use it for evidence-based problem-solving. Health information specialists must promote the concept of accessing credible information published by authoritative sources by partnering with public librarians to deliver health information literacy-related courses to their users.

KAREN GAVIGAN

Presented a session at the International Association of School Librarian's Conference: The session was entitled Never Forget: Using Graphic Novels to Teach Students about the Holocaust

SHANNON BOWEN

Citation: Governmental Use of Social Media and AI during Disasters, Crises, and Emergency Response, paper presented at BledCom, Slovenia, July 2, 2022

Abstract: Introduction and Purpose. This paper explores the conference theme of whether social media could use a reboot in communicating with stakeholders during disasters, crises, or emergencies. To some extent, this “re-boot” is not optional: it is happening due to rapid changes in technology such as AI and machine learning, and due to social changes and pressures from the sustained crisis of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Literature Review: This study examines the literature of issues management in crises, emergency, and disaster management, as well as government and public affairs, ethics of governmental relations, and applications of artificial intelligence in communication and social media use. RQ: This paper asks, to what extent are public affairs officers (PAOs) - or Public Information Officers (PIOs) - using social media, advanced computational methods, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help manage crises, emergencies, and disasters? Method: Data collection and analyses is still ongoing: Two focus groups and 8 in-depth interviews with 40 PAOs working in governmental agencies were conducted to understand how social media is used during a crisis, the extent to which misinformation interferes with accurate information, and the potential for AI application in optimizing efficiencies during a crisis or natural disaster. Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research. Hurricane response was used as an example in a coastal southeastern state in the USA. This research is illustrative of response in that state but due to variances in states and governing structures, and across nationalities, the conclusions should not be applied to other areas without further study. Future studies could compare and contrast other states, public sector organizations, and nationalities in use of social media and AI in emergencies. Results and Conclusions: Officials detailed the extent to which they used different social media platforms during such an emergency, how media relations takes place, how misinformation is handled (from honest mistakes to maleficent bad actors), and how citizen-stakeholders are communicated with via social media during crises. Participants want an AI that can show sentiment analysis, monitor news sources, measure the reach of their own messages disseminated via social media, and find problematic or incorrect information. Currently, research, data analytics, and AI are little-used in governmental public affairs, especially during crises. This finding shows a need for formative and evaluative research, as well as a potential for marked improvement in efficiencies via AI applications. Practical and social implications. PAOs/PIOs could have a revolutionized ability to identify information reach, flows, provenance, and authenticity as well as to address misinformation on social media via the use of AI. As a computer science team develops the AI supporting this research, the use of AI and machine learning will be tested which can speed the efficiency and accuracy of responses to hurricanes and other crises/disasters. Emergency management could be improved in numerous ways and used in many locales.

SHANNON BOWEN

Presented "Co:Cast Crisis Observatory" as the Human-Centered Design Lead, National Science Foundation Expo, Washington DC

VANESSA KITZIE, JESSELYN DREESZEN BOWMAN (iSchool PhD Student), and KATHIA VALVERDE (Arnold School, Center for Community Health Alignment)

Citation: Kitzie, V., Valverde, K., & Dreeszen Bowman, J. (2022). Developing an LGBTQIA+ specialization for Community Health Worker (CHW) training. Poster to be presented at the National LGBTQ+ Health Conference, Chicago, IL, July 28-30.

Abstract: LGBTQ+ populations experience significant barriers to obtaining affirming healthcare. One key barrier is informational, as LGBTQ+ persons find it challenging to learn about their health needs, know what medical professionals to trust, and navigate healthcare systems. These difficulties are the byproducts of LGBTQ+ people left out of formal knowledge production centered on their health issues and needs. This project addresses these inequities by training and certifying LGBTQ+ people as Community Health Workers (CHWs).

CHWs act as critical intermediaries between healthcare systems and their communities, often underserved and experiencing health challenges. CHWs promote community health via outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. CHW training allows participants to develop the necessary skills to implement these interventions and community action for health promotion. Training functions as an important way to bring LGBTQ+ people to the forefront of conversations in formal spaces like healthcare systems.

Per these acknowledged needs and benefits of CHW training, the project team recruited a cohort of 11 LGBTQ+ community leaders from across South Carolina (SC). SC LGBTQ+ residents experience more severe health challenges than national averages. The cohort received foundational CHW training to enhance core competencies relevant to the emerging CHW profession. The training was facilitated in a participatory learning format focused on sharing the lived experience of training participants and included 161 hours of learning content. Participatory learning allows long-term information retention and application while developing skills in the field instead of short-term retention of theoretical information that may go unapplied.

After completing foundational training, this same cohort participated in a 30-hour pilot specialization training for CHWs working with LGBTQ+ people. The training explored unique approaches that could serve LGBTQ+ people while considering the cultural humility necessary to navigate intersectional identities outside the LGBTQ+ umbrella. In addition, the cohort built upon and shared their lived experiences to substantiate the curriculum for future cohorts who may have less knowledge on the given topic.

Qualitative evaluation results from the cohort indicated that the combination of foundational and specialty track training allowed them to (a) critically think about their experiences, (b) contribute to training for future peers and allies, and (c) develop skills to apply in their respective communities in the following ways: Using training materials when engaging with health professionals. Developing a community resource guide to support community members. Engaging in advocacy work for trans-inclusive birthing centers in SC. Developing sustained networking opportunities. Further, CHWs at large have expressed interest in taking future iterations of the training to more effectively and inclusively conduct community health work. Significant lessons learned include: Providing a platform to intentionally foster sustained community connections. Providing a neutral party for CHWs to communicate concerns. Emphasizing the need for LGBTQIA+ CHWs because of the context they provide based on lived experience and specialized training.

While many lessons were learned, the CHW field, especially as it relates to serving LGBTQ+ populations, still holds unexplored avenues. The information collected from this experience can serve as a solid foundation for those that wish to build upon them.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

SHANNON BOWEN

Integration of several recent papers and 1 ongoing project to determine ethics of strategically managing issues with/for stakeholders during difficult times (such as the pandemic, natural disasters, DEI, terrorism, war, and social unrest).

Citation: Strategy under uncertainty: How U.S. organizations respond to socio-political challenges, new ethical and political research perspectives. Keynote presented at BledCom, Slovenia, July 2, 2022

OTHER

ALI ZAIN

Accepted to CHQ Junior Scholar Program (2022-23), an extensive research traineeship offered by the SC SmartState Center for Health Quality to apply computational methods for research at the interaction of public health and social media ($3,000 worth research support + up to $1,500 travel grant)

FEILI TU-KEEFNER

I will moderate one of the discussion topics for the IFLA Evidence for Global Disaster Health (E4GDH) SIG Open Session: Librarians as Evidence Intermediaries During Times of Crisis.

LUCILIA GREEN

Dr. Lucy Santos Green was voted President-Elect of The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE). ALISE is the global leader in education for the information profession, promoting innovative, high-quality education for the information professions internationally through engagement, advocacy and research. ALISE is a non-profit organization that serves as the intellectual home of faculty, staff, and students in library and information science, and allied disciplines.

Link: https://ali.memberclicks.net/alise-election-2022-santos-green

AWARDS/GRANTS

JABARI EVANS

I was recently awarded an Innovative Pedagogy Grant from the Center for Teaching Excellence for my newly designed course, Jour 309: Hip-Hop, Media and Society.

Instead of solely relying on a textbook, I am utilizing a producing podcast episodes that will serve similar to required readings. This not only will allow the course to cater to different modes of learning but also will exclusive access to gatekeepers in the Hip Hop music industry.

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

VANESSA KITZIE and JENNA SPIERING

Citation: Santos Green, L., Spiering, J., Kitzie, V., & Erlanger, J. (2022). LGBTQIA+ inclusive children’s librarianship: Queer-positive policies, programs, and practices. (approx. 75,000-word book). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Abstract: This book breaks new ground, offering school and public librarians serving children in grades K–8 a roadmap for implementing and upholding queer-inclusive programs, policies, and services. School and public librarians are serving ever greater numbers of LGBTQIA+ children and families. Transgender children may begin to express a strong sense of gender identity as early as 2–3 years of age. Children are also identifying as gay much sooner than earlier generations—often between the ages of 7 and 12. Additionally, more children than ever before are living with LGBTQIA+ caregivers. In seeking to make our programs and services inclusive and equitable for these growing populations, librarians may court controversy and face community backlash from patrons who feel queer-inclusive content is inappropriate for young children. This book codifies a set of best practices for librarians as they rise to this challenge, defining queer-inclusive programs, identifying potential barriers to implementation, and offering strategies and resources to overcome them.

Link: https://www.abc-clio.com/products/a6348p/

BOOK REVIEW

ERIC ROBINSON

A review of Eric Robinson's Cyber Law and Ethics: Regulation of the Connected World, co-written with Mark Grabowski of Adelphi University, said that the internet law textbook "helps nonlawyers understand the general issues" and is a "noteworthy addition[] for any journalism and media communication professor seeking fresh ideas and instructional paths."

Citation: Lipschultz, J. H. (2022). Noteworthy Books. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776958221097242

Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10776958221097242

CONFERENCE PAPER

CARL CICCARELLI (SJMC PhD student), BROOKE MCKEEVER (SJMC Faculty), and ROBERT MCKEEVER (SJMC Faculty)

Conference paper accepted to AEJMC: Empathy and the Health Belief Model in the Context of COVID-19

Citation: Ciccarelli, C., McKeever B., & McKeever, R. (2022, August). Empathy and the Health Belief Model in the Context of COVID-19. Paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Detroit, MI.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

BROOKE MCKEEVER and other faculty/grad students from the Arnold School of Public Health

Citation: Zhang, R., Qiao, S., McKeever, B. W., Olatosi, B., & Li, X. (2022). Listening to Voices from African American Communities in the Southern States about COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Communication: A Qualitative Study. Vaccines, 10(7), 1046. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10071046

Abstract: The high uptake of COVID-19 vaccines is one of the most promising measures to control the pandemic. However, some African American (AA) communities exhibit vaccination hesitancy due to mis- or disinformation. It is important to understand the challenges in accessing reliable COVID-19 vaccine information and to develop feasible health communication interventions based on voices from AA communities. We conducted 2 focus group discussions (FGDs) among 18 community stakeholders recruited from 3 counties iSouth Carolina on 8 October and 29 October 2021. The FGDs were conducted online via Zoom meetings. The FGD data were managed and thematically analyzed using NVivo 12. Participants worked primarily in colleges, churches, and health agencies. We found that the challenges of accessing reliable vaccine information in AA communities primarily included structural barriers, information barriers, and a lack of trust. Community stake- holders recommended recruiting trusted messengers, using social events to reach target populations, and conducting health communication campaigns through open dialogue among stakeholders. Health communication interventions directed at COVID-19 vaccine uptake should be grounded in ongoing community engagement, trust-building activities, and transparent communication about vaccine development. Tailoring health communication interventions to different groups may help reduce misinformation spread and thus promote vaccination in AA communities in the southern states.

Link: https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/vaccines/vaccines-10-01046/article_deploy/vaccines-10-01046.pdf?version=1656519941

VANESSA KITZIE

Citation: Kitzie, V., Floegel, D., Barriage, S., & Oltmann, S.M. (2022). How visibility, hypervisibility, and invisibility shape library staff and drag performer perceptions of and experiences with drag storytimes in public libraries. The Library Quarterly: Information, Communication, Policy, 92(3), 215-240.

Abstract: This article uses data from interviews with public library staff and drag performers to understand how discourses surrounding queer visibility, hypervisibility, and invisibility affect library staff members’ and performers’ perceptions of drag storytimes. Informed by interviews with library staff and drag performers, we argue that hypervisibility and invisibility narratives mark drag storytimes as dangerous and trendy and may unduly influence how some library staff members view these events. Conversely, other staff members and drag performers engage in significant tactical emotional and physical labor to recognize these events as inherently queer and powerful critical literacy programs. Understanding how varying degrees of visibility mediate library staff and performer perceptions of and experiences with drag storytimes lends insights into larger narratives centered on queerness and belonging within libraries. Drag performers’ narrative accounts also offer paths by which library staff may work with performers to promote authentic queer visibility.

Link: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/719915

VANESSA KITZIE

Citation: Oltmann, S. M., Kitzie, V., & Barriage, S. (2022). “For me, it is an intellectual freedom issue”: Drag storytimes, neutrality, and ALA core values. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006221100853

Abstract: Drag storytimes are increasingly popular programing events in which drag performers lead storytime in public libraries or other settings; they have been both popular and contentious. In this study, we utilized data from a national survey of 458 library staff and 26 subsequent interviews to investigate connections between drag storytime, intellectual freedom, neutrality, and other core librarianship values. The data was analyzed inductively and several key themes emerged: hosting drag storytimes is an intellectual freedom stance; various perspectives on the American Library Association stance in support of drag storytimes; connections to other core values; emphasizing diversity to serve one’s community; and contesting the neutrality of libraries. We found difficult-to-reconcile stances of “presenting all sides” and “taking a side,” but we suggest a way forward by focusing on the outcome of collective self-governance (based on core values of intellectual freedom and democracy).

PANEL/PRESENTATION

FEILI TU-KEEFNER and ABBY BRICKER (MLIS student)

This is a conference presentation at the Medical library Association's 2022 annual convention. This is a hybrid conference held in both online and onsite formats.

Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., & Bricker, A. (2022, May 2-7). Do your general public users understand the COVID-19 health information you have provided? A content analytical study. To be presented at Medical Library Association Annual Meeting & Exhibition, New Orleans, LA.

Abstract: Objectives Because uncertainty, great fear, conspiracy theories, and distrust are associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic, people need access to accurate and easy-to-understand information to help them act appropriately. Major health organizations in the U.S., such as the NLM and the Mayo Clinic, have created web portals to rapidly release authoritative COVID-19 health information to a large population. These resources published via MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic have been widely promoted for user access in public libraries. It is essential to examine whether these authoritative COVID-19 health information resources facilitate health information access by adults from the general public. Methods This study examines the levels of readability and comprehension of the COVID-19 health information distributed via MedlinePlus and by the Mayo Clinic. The research design for this study is based on Savolainen's everyday life information concepts and Dervin's sense-making methodology. The research purposes are to 1) better understand the connections between readability levels and consumer health information comprehension; 2) investigate whether the authoritative COVID-19 health information provided can support the evidence-based health information access activities of adults from the general public. The sample populations analyzed are identified through accessing the COVID-19 health information shared on the public library systems' websites of the twenty largest cities in the United States. Microsoft Office software is utilized for content analysis and to calculate the averages of the readability scores of the COVID-19 health information provided by the targeted organizations. Results The study examines the reading level of the resources to see if they are compatible with the guidelines of the American Medical Association (AMA) for patient education materials (i.e., at a sixth-grade level). The results show that the documents reviewed in the study are not compatible with this reading level. Information provided via MedlinePlus and the Mayo Clinic must be made easy to understand and access. Conclusions This study shows the readability levels of the commonly used authoritative COVID-19 consumer health information distributed via MedlinePlus and by the Mayo Clinic) are higher than the AMA recommendations for patient education materials. Most of the public libraries and public librarians are not aware of the use of MedlinePlus for user services; education programs must be provided to public librarians and the general public to promote the awareness of MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus Español. Publishers, such as the National Library of Medicine, must strive to lower the readability levels of their COVID-19 consumer health information. Health information professionals need to actively join the force to monitor the readability levels and to produce consumer health information in low grade-level readability on COVID-19, as well as fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic. Health information professionals need to actively join the force to monitor the readability levels and to produce consumer health information in low grade-level readability on COVID-19, as well as fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic.

TRAINING PROGRAM

FEILI TU-KEEFNER

I am currently one of the coaches for the "Comprehensive Training for Promotion of Vaccine Demand" posted by GAVI, WHO, UNICEF & US CDC .

Abstract: This program is designed to promote the knowledge and skills to maintain and restore routine immunization and promote COVID-19 vaccination by leveraging social data, behavioral insights, infodemic management, service experience and digital strategies.

AWARDS/GRANTS

JUNGMI JUN, HOMAYOUN VALAFAR (College of Engineering and Computer Science), JIM THRASHER (Arnold School of Public Health), and FOREST AGOSTINELLI (College of Engineering and Computer Science)

The team received ASPIRE II grant ($99,190) for "Automatic and personalized identification of smoking using smartwatches" from the Office of the Vice President for Research.

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

JUNGMI JUN and NANLAN ZHANG (Ph.D. alumna)

Citation: Jun, J. & Zhang, N. (2022). Fight the virus, fight the bias: Asian Americans’ COVID-19 racism experience, health impact, and activism. In S. Navarro and S. Hernandez (Eds). The Color of COVID-19: The Racial Inequality of Marginalized Communities. DOI: 10.4324/9781003268710-8

Link: https://books.google.com/books?id=cx1tEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PT110&dq=10.4324/9781003268710-8&hl=en&source=newbks_fb#v=onepage&q=10.4324%2F9781003268710-8&f=false

CONFERENCE PAPERS

TARA MORTENSEN, TAYLOR WEN (SJMC Faculty), COLIN PIACENTINE (SJMC PhD Student), BRIAN MCDERMOTT (University of Massachusetts Amherst Faculty), and NORA BOST (SJMCS Honor Student Alumnus)

Conference paper accepted to AEJMC: An eye-tracking analysis of negative and positive emotional staff and stock photos in the news

Citation: Mortensen, T., Wen, T., Piacentine, C., McDermott, B., Bost, N. (2022, August). An eye-tracking analysis of negative and positive emotional staff and stock photos in the news

Abstract: Scholars have criticized that visual elites merely assume the effects of emotional photojournalistic images, with most of this literature being within the realm of psychology. In the present study, a 2 (stock photo and staff photo) by 2 (positive valence and negative valence) study is conducted to examine audience reactions to emotional images in a news context. Within photojournalism research, audience reactions toward neither of the twin photojournalistic values of emotion and credibility have been well studied. Viewer perceptions are measured through: self-reported arousal levels using three 9-point items on a bipolar scale, credibility perceptions using the previously-developed News Photo Credibility Scale, and visual attention using the eye-tracking measures of fixation duration and fixation count. [Paper presentation]. Paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Detroit, MI.

TARA MORTENSEN, BRIAN MCDERMOTT (University of Massachusetts Amherst Faculty), and BOB WERTZ (SJMC PhD Student)

Paper accepted to AEJMC: Measuring How Presentational Context and Professional Authorship Affects Credibility Perceptions of News Images

Citation: McDermott, B., Mortensen, T., Wertz, B. 2022, August). Measuring How Presentational Context and Professional Authorship Affects Credibility Perceptions of News Images. [Paper presentation]. Paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Detroit, MI.

Abstract: Today, photojournalists publish images in news publications as well as social media and images captured by ordinary citizens appear in journalism spaces. This study examines how photo content and context of its publication space influences credibility perceptions. The exceedingly small difference in how respondents rate the credibility of the images suggests that participants in this study are willing to accept newsworthy images as credible on social media, and social media images as credible in the news.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

BROOKE MCKEEVER, MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. alumna), DENETRA WALKER (Ph.D. alumna), and ROBERT MCKEEVER (SJMC Faculty)

Citation: McKeever, B. W., Choi, M., Walker, D., & McKeever, R. (2022). Gun violence as a public health issue: Media advocacy, framing and implications for communication. Newspaper Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221090497

Abstract: Following a recent push to reframe gun violence as a public health issue, an online survey (N = 510) helped explore frame salience and frame adoption through the lens of media advocacy. Findings revealed that gun control and gun rights frames are salient, and television, social media and newspapers are the most popular sources of gun violence information. Individuals are being held responsible, while background checks were the most salient and adopted solution among Americans. Three gun rights organizations were the most salient organizations from media coverage related to gun violence. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221090497

JUNGMI JUN, ALI ZAIN (Ph.D. student), YINGYING CHEN (SJMC Faculty), and SEI-HILL KIM (SJMC Faculty)

Citation: Jun, J., Zain, A., Chen, Y., & Kim, S.-H. (2022). Adverse Mentions, Negative Sentiment, and Emotions in COVID-19 Vaccine Tweets and Their Association with Vaccination Uptake: Global Comparison of 192 Countries. Vaccines, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10050735

Abstract: Background: Many countries show low COVID-19 vaccination rates despite high levels of readiness and delivery of vaccines. The public’s misperceptions, hesitancy, and negative emotions toward vaccines are psychological factors discouraging vaccination. At the individual level, studies have revealed negative perceptual/behavioral outcomes of COVID-19 information exposure via social media where misinformation and vaccine fear flood. Objective: This study extends research context to the global level and investigates social media discourse on the COVID-19 vaccine and its association with vaccination rates of 192 countries in the world. Methods: COVID-19 vaccine tweets were compared by country in terms of (1) the number per million Twitter users, (2) mentions of adverse events—death, side-effects, blood clots, (3) negative sentiment (vs. positive), and (4) fear, sadness, or anger emotions (vs. joy). Artificial intelligence (AI) was adopted to classify sentiment and emotions. Such tweets and covariates (COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates, GDP, population size and density, literacy rate, democracy index, institutional quality, human development index) were tested as predictors of vaccination rates in countries. Results: Over 21.3 million COVID-19 vaccine tweets posted between November 2020 and August 2021 worldwide were included in our analysis. The global average of COVID-19 vaccine tweets mentioning adverse events was 2% for ‘death’, 1.15% for ‘side-effects’, and 0.80% for ‘blood clots’. Negative sentiment appeared 1.90 times more frequently than positive sentiment. Fear, anger, or sadness appeared 0.70 times less frequently than joy. The mention of ‘side-effects’ and fear/sadness/anger emotions appeared as significant predictors of vaccination rates, along with the human development index. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that global efforts to combat misinformation, address negative emotions, and promote positive languages surrounding COVID-19 vaccination on social media may help increase global vaccination uptakes.

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/5/735/htm#B49-vaccines-10-00735

SABRINA HABBIB

Brainstorming in groups can be tricky. This article has research-based suggestions of how to make it work.

Citation: Habbib, S. (2022, May) How to brainstorm brilliant ideas in teams – without sliding into ‘groupthink’. The Conversation.

Link: https://theconversation.com/how-to-brainstorm-brilliant-ideas-in-teams-without-sliding-into-groupthink-180084?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Recently, I presented on a panel at the Institute for Public Relations Bridge Conference. This panel discussed the shift from traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) to corporate social advocacy (CSA) and its implications.

Citation: Shifting from CSR to CSA: Corporate and activist insights for professional communicators. Institute for Public Relations Bridge Conference

Abstract: Companies are increasingly being pressured to engage in public conversations and take stances on polarizing issues—shifting or expanding efforts traditionally thought of as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Corporate Social Advocacy (CSA). What does this shift mean for corporations and communicators? This panel investigates the CSA shift’s implications from the perspectives of activism, connections to organizational values, and best practices for engagement and messaging in polarizing issue discourse.

LAURA SMITH, DAVID MOSCOWITZ (SJMC Faculty), NINA BROOK (SJMC Faculty), BERTRAM RANTIN (SJMC Faculty), and ERIC ROBINSON (SJMC Faculty)

Citation: Smith, L.K. (2022, March 29). Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Best practices for collaborative assessment. Invited coordinator and presenter on panel about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Center for Teaching Excellence, Columbia, SC.

LAURA SMITH

This talk compared a writing rubric produced by the American Association of Colleges & University to one we're testing here in the SJMC (with Nina Brook and Bertram Rantin in our foundational writing course, J291).

Citation: name of your publication, where it was published, etc.)

Smith., L.K. (2022, April 19) Applying Value rubrics to journalistic writing in entry-level communications courses. Invited panelist on "Adding VALUE to Broadcast Education: An Introduction to AAC&Us VALUE Rubrics" at Broadcast Education Association's annual conference, Las Vegas, NV.

LAURA SMITH

Each year, BEA hosts a half-day bootcamp about assessment practices across the country. I've been invited to participate for the last several years. This year, I presented data for an experiment we're conducting in our JOUR 303 law classes to determine whether students perform better when we assess student learning in optional quiz at the end of the semster versus embed the questions in the final exam. I presented results from three years of study. Thanks to Eric Robinson and Carmen Maye for their consistent and collegial work on this project!

Citation: Smith, L.K. (2022, April 20). Invited presenter, Assessment Bootcamp at Broadcast Education Association's annual conference, Las Vegas, NV.

LAURA SMITH

Executing a successful assessment plan can be challenging enough. For many, Covid made our efforts that much harder. In some programs, data collection ceased completely. In others, the Covid crisis led to new and creative ways to collect the data. Panelists addressed some of the experiences they’ve had collecting data in the past two years and adaptations they’ve been forced to make – adaptations they embrace and may event stick with in the future. Panelists included Marquita Smith, Asst. Dean of Graduate Programs @ Ole Miss, Mary Jackson-Pitts, Professor @ Arkansas State and Robert Spicer, Associate Professor @ Millersville (PA) University.

Citation: Smith, L.K. (2022, April 23). Assessment in a time of Covid: Concerns and Opportunities. Panel producer and presenter at Broadcast Education Association's annual conference, Las Vegas, NV.

OTHER

KELLY DAVIS

Kelly Davis was selected by the Public Relations Student Society of America to serve on the inaugural PRSSA National Faculty Advisory Council. The five council members will work closely with the PRSSA National Faculty Adviser and National Headquarters to connect with fellow chapter-level advisers, offer town hall-style virtual meetings, onboard new advisers, and more. Davis has served as the faculty adviser for the UofSC PRSSA chapter since 2017.

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

AUGIE GRANT, ERIC ROBINSON (SJMC Faculty – Regulation), EHSAN MOHAMMADI (iSchool Faculty – Big Data), AMIR KARAMI (iSchool Faculty – Big Data), and YICHENG ZHU (PhD Alum – History of Communication Technology)

Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, 18th edition, published April 2022 by Austin-based Technology Futures, Inc.

Citation: Grant, A. E. & Meadows, J. H. (Eds.) (2022). Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, 18th edition. Technology Futures, Inc.

Abstract: The latest edition of the book begins with a section covering the fundamentals of communication technology in five chapterss that explain the communication technology ecosystem, its history, theories, structure, and regulations. Separate chapters then explore the background, recent developments, and current status of two dozen technologies in electronic mass media, computers, consumer electronics, telephony, and networking. The chapters are written by experts who provide a snapshot of an individual field. Together, these updates provide a broad overview of these industries and examine the role communication technologies play in our everyday lives. In addition to substantial updates to each chapter, the 18th edition includes first-ever chapters on surveillance and remote working and learning, plus updated user data in every chapter; an overview of industry structure, including recent and proposed mergers and acquisitions; and sidebars about people who have made a lasting contribution to communication technologies, with an emphasis on women and people of color.

Link: www.tfi-ctu.com

JOURNAL ARTICLES

JABARI EVANS

On April 1, I received acceptance letter for an article entitled "The Audacity of Clout(chasing)" in the International Journal of Communication. The article is a collaboration with Dr. Nancy Baym, whom was my mentor at Microsoft Research.

Citation: Evans, J.M. & Baym, N.K. (forthcoming, accepted 4/1/22) The Audacity of Clout(chasing):Digital Strategies of Black Youth in Chicago DIY Hip-Hop. International Journal of Communication.

Abstract: Though many scholars have theorized on the communication of Black youth in digital spaces, academic work has generally not sought artist perspectives of how their platformed creation might be connected to relational labor. Using observation and interviews with artists, artist managers and entrepreneurs, we examine relational practices of Hip-Hop youth on social media. We describe their work on social media toward acquiring “clout”—a digital form of influence self-described by emerging musicians as allowing them to leverage digital tools in building social and professional status, amplify authenticity, cultivate connections with fans, connect to friends and other cultural producers. In this study, we detail examples of three relational strategies that our respondents utilized to acquire clout: (a) corralling (b) capping, and (c) co-signing. To conclude, we argue Chicago’s Hip-Hop scene provides an example of why formal institutions and researchers need to rethink how race, class, gender, and geography influence the digital interactions of young people and how their social practices add to the understanding of the counter-publics arising from globalizing social media.

BROOKE MCKEEVER, MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. Alumna), DENETRA WALKER (Ph.D. Alumna), and ROBERT MCKEEVER (SJMC Faculty)

Citation: McKeever, B.W., Choi, M., Walker, D., & McKeever, R. (2022). Gun violence as a public health issue: Media advocacy, framing and implications for communication. Newspaper Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221090497

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CANDICE EDRINGTON
Greenville, SC April 6-10

I presented on the Movement Rhetoric/Rhetoric's Movements panel at the Southern States Communication Association.

Abstract: This thematic panel takes up the question of how and why individuals, collectives, and institutions are moved, changed, and transformed through social communicative action. Participants will consider rhetorical scholarship, particularly new books and proposals in the University of South Carolina Press series of the same name, that examine the work of social justice and grassroots movements enacted via digital and embodied means. Additionally, participants will discuss social movement pedagogy along with cases of social communicative actions that are driven by corporate and economic interests and that can help us to better understand the rhetorical and material impediments to achieving the goals of justice and equity.

CANDICE EDRINGTON
Oxford, MS at The University of Mississippi, March 31-April 2

I was identified as a leading researcher in public relations and asked to present on the role of advocacy and social justice in PR at the inaugural IMC Connect! conference.

Abstract: This collaborative conference connected leading researchers and industry practitioners in the field of integrated marketing communication. The purpose of the conference was to provide critical insights related to crisis communication, big data, social media, public relations and advertising.

Link: https://express.adobe.com/page/lkQpxIR7Izolf/

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

AMIR KARAMI

Dr. Karami was invited to give a virtual talk at Leiden University in the Netherlands. The title of his talk was Methodological Challenges of Studying Social Media. Leiden University ranks among the top 100 universities in the world.

AMIR KARAMI

Dr. Karami was invited to give a virtual talk at the IÉSEG School of Management. The title of his talk was Taming Health Dis/Misinformation on Social Media with Data Science Lash. IÉSEG School of Management is one of the top Business Schools in France, ranked 21st in the world by the Financial Times.

AWARDS/GRANTS

CLAYTON COPELAND
Dr. Copeland was appointed to Library of the Year Committee, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

AMIR KARAMI and JACQUELINE PURTELL (Honors Student)
Jacqueline Purtell (Honors Student) and Dr. Karami (Mentor) received the Honors College Research Grant to analyze vaccine Dis/Misinformation on social media.

AMIR KARAMI
Dr. Karami received the International Healthcare 2021 Young Investigator Award. This award is for researchers who are under 40.

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare/awards/1326

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

BROOKE MCKEEVER and MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. alumna)
Citation: McKeever, B.W., Choi, M. (2022). Philanthropic Crisis Communication. Invited book chapter published in Social Media and Crisis Communication, 2nd Edition, edited by Lucinda Austin and Yan Jin.

Link: https://www.routledge.com/Social-Media-and-Crisis-Communication/Jin-Austin/p/book/9780367489007

CONFERENCE PAPER

CANDICE EDRINGTON, TARA MORTENSEN (SJMC faculty), and ODERA ENZENNA ( SKMC Ph.D. student)
Citation: Edrington, C., Mortensen, T., Ezenna, O. (2022, March). Cultural Projection via #IAmABlackMan Challenge on Instagram. Presented at the Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication Southeast Colloquium. Memphis, TN. Visual Communication Division. Research In Progress.

Abstract: The purpose of the proposed research study is to analyze Instagram photos posted by Black men with the #iamablackman hashtag challenge caption to assess the nature of cultural projection as visually and verbally communicated through Instagram, to examine how others interpret the cultural projection of Black men through these images, and to understand the overall sentiments surrounding the hashtag challenge.

BROOKE MCKEEVER, MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. alumna), and HOLLY OVERTON (former SJMC faculty)
Citation: Choi, M., McKeever, B.W., Overton, H. (2022, May). A configurational approach to public relations research on prosocial behaviors. Research accepted for presentation at the International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Paris, France.

FEILI TU-KEEFNER and ABBY BRICKER (MLIS student)
Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., & Bricker, A. (2022, March). Is your COVID-19 health information understood by adults in the general public? A content analysis of online resources published by the CDC and the WHO. In Proceedings of the International Congress of Medical Librarianship (ICML) and the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA) Joint Conference. (In Press)

Abstract: Because uncertainty, great fear, conspiracy theories, and distrust are associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic, people need access to accurate and easy-to-understand information to help them act appropriately. Major public health organizations worldwide, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO), have created web portals to rapidly release authoritative COVID-19 health information to a large population. It is essential to examine whether the authoritative COVID-19 health information distributed by these two major public health organizations facilitates health information access by the adults from the general public. The research design for this study is based on Savolainen’s everyday life information concepts and Dervin’s sense-making methodology. The research purposes are to 1) better understand the connections between readability levels and consumer health information comprehension; 2) investigate whether the authoritative COVID-19 health information provided can support the evidence-based health information access activities of adults from American general public. This study examines the levels of readability and comprehension of the COVID-19 health information distributed by the CDC and by the WHO. The sample populations analyzed are identified through accessing the COVID-19 health information shared on the public library systems’ websites of the twenty largest cities in the United States. Microsoft Office software is utilized for content analysis and to calculate the averages of the readability scores of the COVID-19 health information provided by targeted organizations.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

KEVIN HULL and LAUREN SCHWARTZ (former SJMC undergraduate student)
Citation: Hull, K., Billings, A. C., & Schwartz, L. (2021). The “Mighty Kacy” Effect? American Ninja Warrior and the elevation of women athletes. Journal of Sports Media, 16(2), 111-131.

Abstract: Contrary to previous sports studies demonstrating that sports within prime-time television programming minimize women athletes both in terms of exposure and the characterization of athletes when they are shown, the NBC-based athletic reality program American Ninja Warrior seemingly challenges such traditions. A study of a full season of the hit program reveals that only two significant dialogue differences emerged, disproportionately complimenting the speed of male competitors and the strength of female competitors. Otherwise, nonsignificant differences were found within the sample, perhaps revealing progress in the degree to which new renderings of sports media could be built on structures less premised in hegemonic masculinity.

Link: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/848009

KEVIN HULL, DENETRA WALKER (SJMC PhD student), KIRSTIN PELLIZZARO (SJMC faculty), AND MILES ROMNEY (former SJMC faculty)
Citation: Hull, K., Walker, D., Romney, M., & Pellizzaro, K. (accepted for publication). “Through our Prism”: A survey of Black local sports journalists’ work experiences and interactions with Black athletes. Journalism Practice.

Abstract: Black local television sports journalists throughout the United States were surveyed to discover how they view both their perceived place in the newsroom and media treatment of, and their own interactions with, Black athletes. The majority say that Black athletes are negatively stereotyped and that, as Black journalists, they have an easier time relating to and telling the story of the Black athlete. Using a thematic analysis of the open-ended comments, the authors found perspective, realization of racism, discriminatory hiring practices, and emotional labor to be common themes. Findings from this mixed methods study point to their belief that hiring more Black television sports journalists could improve coverage of Black athletes, but there are doubts that those job opportunities exist. When discussing their own experiences, the Black television sports journalists said there is some “tokenism” within television station hiring practices that makes it difficult for many of them to be hired. Practical implications for the future of sports journalism and newsroom diversity is discussed.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2022.2050468

BROOKE MCKEEVER and YUE ZHENG (Ph.D. alumna)
Citation: Zheng, Y., & McKeever, B.W. (2022). Improving mobile donations: Exploring an advanced technology acceptance model, media preferences, and demographics of mobile donors. International Journal of Mobile Communications, 20(2), 242-261.

Abstract: Mobile donations, contributions made by sending a text message, have been possible for more than a decade and have led to successful fundraising campaigns such as one following an earthquake in Haiti in 2010. However, most mobile phone users have never used this technology and few campaigns have come close to the funds raised for Haiti earthquake relief. To examine people's motivations to make mobile donations, this study conducted a national survey with 994 USA-based respondents to explore an advanced version of the technology acceptance model. By comparing the findings between those who have previously made mobile donations and those who have not, perceived credibility was identified as a key factor to motivate non-donors. This research also explored how mobile donation motivations varied across multiple media preference and demographic variables, which contributes practical implications for non-profit organizations to improve future fundraising efforts.

Link: https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJMC.2022.121441

BROOKE MCKEEVER and MINHEE CHOI (Ph.D. alumna)
Citation: Choi, M., McKeever, B.W. (2022). Social media advocacy and gun violence: Applying the engagement model to nonprofit organizations' communication efforts. Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102173

Abstract: Applying the model of engagement, this study tests the effectiveness of social media advocacy strategies, framing, and mobilizing information related to nonprofit organizations’ communication about the issue of gun violence. An online experiment revealed successful social media advocacy strategies within the engagement model. Two key components of social media advocacy were identified: (1) public relations practitioners’ roles in shaping messages and mobilizing publics; (2) the important role of marginalized groups and individuals in issue amplification.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0363811122000285?dgcid=author

BROOKE MCKEEVER, JOHN A BERNHART (Arnold School of Public Health alumna), SARA WILCOX (Arnold School of Public Health faculty), and JENNIFER O’NEIL (Arnold School of Public Health faculty)
Citation: Bernhart, J.A., Wilcox, S., McKeever, B.W., Ehlers, D.K., O’Neill, J.R. (2022). A self-determination theory application to physical activity in charity sports events. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. DOI: 10.1177/15598276221077204

Abstract: Charity sports events, specifically 5K events, reach large numbers of people and may help promote physical activity (PA). Few studies exist applying Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to participation in these events. This study examined changes in SDT constructs of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness satisfaction in participants (n = 207) of charity 5K events and (2) examined relationships among post-event SDT constructs, PA, and intention to complete future events. Participants completed online surveys before and after a charity 5K event using the Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Exercise Scale, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Repeated measures analysis of covariance analyzed the first purpose and regression the second. Competence satisfaction increased (P = .04) and relatedness satisfaction decreased (P = .04). Higher post-event relatedness satisfaction was associated with intention to complete future charity 5K events (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.11). Higher post-event autonomy, competence, and relatedness satisfaction and intrinsic motivation were associated with greater post-event MET-minutes of PA (all P < .05). Findings may be useful for promoting PA and helping organizations increase participation. Specifically, events facilitating relatedness among participants may lead to repeat participation as these events have opportunities to fulfill SDT outcomes and increase post-event PA.

Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15598276221077204

BRETT ROBERTSON
Citation: Stephens, K. K., Powers, C., Robertson, B. W., Sperling, L., Collier, J., Tich, K., & Smith, W. R. (2022). Building more resilient communities with a wildfire preparedness drill in the U.S.: Individual and community influences and communication practices. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management

Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-5973.12402

ANLI XIAO
Citation: Overton, H. K. & Xiao, A. (accepted). Conscience-Driven Corporate Social Advocacy: Analyzing Moral Conviction and Perceived Motives as Predictors of Organization-Public Relationships. Corporate Communication: An International Journal

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

BROOKE MCKEEVER
Brooke was invited to be the Opening Plenary Speaker at the Second Annual SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare Learning Collaborative Meeting, which took place on March 4, 2022. Her presentation was titled, "Communicating Impact and Influencing Change."

FEILI TU-KEEFNER
Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Lyons, D. R., Liu, J., Hobbs, A., & Smith, J. C. (2022, March 23-25). Librarians lead in times of crisis: Stop, drop & roll. To be presented at the Public Library Association Conference, Portland OR.

Abstract: Society today expects libraries to be not just information service providers, but to also serve as catalysts for community engagement. The mission of librarians is to improve society through facilitating knowledge creation, preservation, and dissemination. When the pandemic hit the nation, the majority of libraries had to close their doors. Libraries nationwide took the opportunity to transform their service to various types of formats and continue the provision of essential information services to their user communities. Various types of innovative and virtual information services have been developed and implemented. This presentation covers how librarians have stepped up to being leaders to the communities they serve, especially focusing on how librarians have gone far and beyond to provide non-traditional library services to their communities. Several examples will be provided. Librarians’ leadership qualifications in time of crisis will be addressed. These qualifications are from the results of three situation-specific studies on the provision of disaster health-information services by public libraries. The significance of creating diversified workforces in libraries, as well as how to integrate equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the libraries’ strategic plans will be also addressed. The presentation will end with a discussion of what lessons have been learned from the pandemic.

Link: https://www.placonference.org/programs.cfm?session_key=9797E5FD-A986-572E-6BFE-AF31E51F6CAB&session_date=Thursday,%20Mar%2024,%202022

FEILI TU-KEEFNER and ABBY BRICKER (MLIS student)
Citation: Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., & Bricker, A. (2022, March 15-19). Is the COVID-19 health information that you provided understood by your general public users? A content analytical study. Presented at the International Congress of Medical Librarianship (ICML) and the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA) Joint Conference, Pretoria, South Africa.

Abstract: Because uncertainty, great fear, conspiracy theories, and distrust are associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic, people need access to accurate and easy-to-understand information to help them act appropriately. Major public health organizations worldwide, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO), have created web portals to rapidly release authoritative COVID-19 health information to a large population. It is essential to examine whether the authoritative COVID-19 health information distributed by these two major public health organizations facilitates health information access by the adults from the general public. The research design for this study is based on Savolainen's everyday life information concepts and Dervin's sense-making methodology. The research purposes are to 1) better understand the connections between readability levels and consumer health information comprehension; 2) investigate whether the authoritative COVID-19 health information provided can support the evidence-based health information access activities of adults from the general public. This study examines the levels of readability and comprehension of the COVID-19 health information distributed by the CDC and by the WHO. The sample populations analyzed are identified through accessing the COVID-19 health information shared on the public library systems’ websites of the twenty largest cities in the United States. Microsoft Office software is utilized for content analysis and to calculate the averages of the readability scores of the COVID-19 health information provided by targeted organizations.

Link: https://icml2022.org/programme

AWARDS/GRANTS

AMIR KARAMI, XIAOMING LI, and JIAJIA ZHANG

With multi-department collaborations, Dr. Amir Karami has received an NIH grant to mentor researchers at the intersection of social media, data science, and infectious diseases.

ALI ZAIN

Top Student Paper Award for "Online endorsed misinformation and climate change: using heuristic cues to assess perceived credibility of messages and sharing intentions" at the 47th Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium (SEC ’22) to be held in Memphis, United States on March 17-19, 2022.

Citation: Zain, A. (2022, March). Online endorsed misinformation and climate change: using heuristic cues to assess perceived credibility of messages and sharing intentions. 47th Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium (SEC ’22). Memphis, United States.

BOOK/BOOK CHAPTER

KEVIN HULL

My solo-authored textbook, Sports Broadcasting, was published a few weeks ago.

Citation: Hull, K. (2022). Sports Broadcasting. Human Kinetics.

Link: https://us.humankinetics.com/products/sports-broadcasting-with-hkpropel-access

CONFERENCE PAPER

ALI ZAIN and JUNGMI JUN

Global Comparison of COVID-19 Vaccination Sentiments and Emotions on Twitter: Findings from 192 Countries presented at the National Big Data Health Science Conference (BDHS ’22). Columbia, United States.

Citation: Jun, J. and Zain, A. (2022, February). Global Comparison of COVID-19 Vaccination Sentiments and Emotions on Twitter: Findings from 192 Countries. National Big Data Health Science Conference (BDHS ’22). Columbia, United States.

LEIGH MOSCOWITZ

Paper accepted to the 72^nd Annual ICA Conference in Paris, France: My research team and I have had a paper accepted to this year's upcoming ICA annual conference. The paper is entitled "The Paradoxical Big Non-Story: Traditional and Social Media Frames Surrounding Carl Nassib, the NFL’s First Openly Gay Player."

Citation: Moscowitz, L., Billings, A. C., Gentile, P., & Jackson, J. (2021). The Paradoxical Big Non-Story: Traditional and Social Media Frames Surrounding Carl Nassib, the NFL’s First Openly Gay Player. Paper accepted to 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, France (forthcoming, May 2022).

Abstratct: In June of 2021, National Football League (NFL) defensive lineman Carl Nassib made history as the first openly gay, active professional football player to come out. Advancing research about news coverage of LGBT athletes, this paper employs content analysis to analyze the frames used in newspaper articles (n=195) and on social media (n=5,588 tweets) to report the story of Nassib’s coming out. Findings indicate overall support for Nassib’s coming out, as both newspapers and Twitter posts framed the story as a watershed moment and focused on celebrity support; however, personal attacks were more common on social media. Implications for how media cover gay athlete stories are discussed.

LEIGH MOSCOWITZ

Paper Presented at BEA 2022: My research team and I have had a paper accepted to the Broadcast Education Association's (BEA) 2022 conference in Las Vegas in April. The paper is entitled, "Well, He is Paid to be Violent...": How Athlete Identity Alters Perceptions of Domestic Violence Incidents.

Citation: Brown, K., Billings, A., Moscowitz, L., & Lewis, M. (2021). "Well, He is Paid to be Violent…”: How Athlete Identity Alters Perceptions of Domestic Violence Incidents. Paper accepted to 2022 BEA Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (forthcoming, April 2022).

Abstratct: The media coverage of domestic violence in professional sports does not carry equal weight; narratives of race, gender, class, and sexuality define which crimes get the most attention and how perpetrators and victims are portrayed. The purpose of this study is to determine if perceptions of violence related to race, gender and sport will impact audience reactions to domestic violence charges against an athlete.

JUNGMI JUN and ALI ZAIN

Citation: Jun, J., & Zain, A. (2022). Global comparison of ‘COVID-19 vaccination’ sentiments and emotions on Twitter: Findings from 192 countries. Presented at the SC Big Data Health Sciences Center Conference.

Abstract: Many countries show low COVID-19 vaccination rates despite their high levels of readiness and delivery of vaccines. Research suggests the public’s misperceptions, hesitancy, and negative emotions towards vaccines are psychological factors discouraging vaccination. At the individual level, a growing number of studies have revealed negative perceptual and behavioral outcomes of COVID-19 information exposure via social media where misinformation floods. Yet, there is a scarcity of research investigating social media discourses on COVID-19 vaccination and its association with vaccination rates at the national level. We compared COVID-19 vaccination related tweets among 192 countries in terms of the proportion of tweets (1) mentioning adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., death, blood clots), (2) negative sentiment (vs. positive), and (3) negative emotions (vs. joy). We also test the effects of such tweets and covariates (COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates, GDP, population size and density, literacy rate, democracy index, institutional quality, human development index) in predicting countries’ vaccination rates.

JUNGMI JUN, KIM JOONKYOUNG, OVERTON HOLLY, ROBERTSON BRETT, BELLA NANDINI, ZAIN, ALI, and PIACENTINE COLIN

Citation: Kim, J., Jun, J., Overton, H., Robertson, B., Bhalla, N., & Ciccarelli, C. (2022). Science, faith, and information sources as drivers of individuals' perceptions of COVID-19 risk and mask-wearing intention. Accepted to present at the International Communication Association Annual Conference. Paris. France [Hybrid].

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has led many countries to implement safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. An online survey using a U.S. sample (N = 374) was conducted to investigate the determinants of individuals’ intention to adhere to COVID-19 safety measures such as wearing a mask. Results indicate that authoritative COVID-19 information sources (e.g., the CDC) were associated with individuals’ higher risk perceptions of COVID-19 and intention to wear a mask, whereas faith-based organizations as non-authoritative sources were negatively associated with risk perceptions and behavioral intentions. Individuals’ belief in science but not belief in God’s control over their health appeared as a positive predictor of risk perceptions and behavioral intentions.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

TARA MORTENSEN

Routine and Individual-Level Influences on Newspaper Front-Page Images: Wire Photographs, Staff Photojournalism, Race and Gender

Abstract: This study uncovers routine and individual-level influences upon the content of US front-page images. This examination is justified by a news-image environment increasingly dominated by a small number of central agencies and with a lack of photojournalist diversity. At the routine level, differences are assessed based on whether images are taken by an on-staff photojournalist or a wire photographer. At the individual level, differences are assessed based on the photographer’s race and gender. The visual content studied includes three general categories: photojournalistic news values (presence of people, activity of persons of people in the image, whether eye contact is portrayed, emotional hierarchy, and topic), representation (race and gender of people or persons in the image), and visual elevation (circulation of the image in which the image appears, image usage, and image topic). Results of the study show a number of significant routine-level differences, but fewer differences based on the individual characteristics of the photojournalist, which primarily pertain to the representation of subjects.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2022.2033635?scroll=top&needAccess=true

JABARI EVANS

I published this empirical paper in the Journal of Global Hip-Hop Studies on Chicago's controversial Drill Music scene. I argue that despite ambivalence over the promotion of violence, potential threats to their well-being on the streets and negative stereotypes of Black men within their communication, my respondents saw their promotional content creation on social media as a form of 'social hacking' (a creative means to pursuing upward social mobility) the music industry through the attention economy. I theorize two particular self-described labor practices (capping and corralling) to argue this point.

Citation: Evans, J. M. (2022). We (MOSTLY) Carry Guns for the Internet: Visibility Labour, Social Hacking and Chasing Digital Clout by Black Male Youth in Chicago’s Drill Rap Scene. Journal of Global Hip Hop Studies, 1(2), 227–47.

Abstract: Much negative attention has been given to the ‘drill’ music genre, a subgenre of gangsta rap that was born in Chicago’s underground hip hop scene in early 2010s. Previous scholarship has highlighted how social media has shifted how gang-affiliated youth in Chicago carefully manage their street reputations, communicate with peers and fuel gang rivalries through platformed creation. Yet still, in the context of drill, I argue that social media self-branding practices also provide these youth a way out of containment and sequestration to gain visibility in the music industry and empower their neighbourhoods. Based on interviews with drill recording artists and their support workers, I explore the content and character of their work, the centrality of work ethic to their racial identity construction and the way they use social media work to build and maintain status, authenticity and cultivate connections with fans, friends and other cultural producers. Bridging traditional theories of urban sociology with emerging new media scholarship, I suggest this group of artists is a representative case of how the digital practices of disadvantaged Black youth have typically gone mischaracterized in the literature. This study offers new insights into ‘capping’ as an important tenet to hip hop’s visibility labour on social media and how the ‘always on’ nature of digital labour adds another dimension to the typical utilization of street authenticity in narratives of hip hop music. This article concludes by illuminating the many deep contradictions and misconceptions about technological ingenuity, Black youth agency, hip hop culture and street credibility in urban communities.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1386/ghhs_00019_1

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CANDICE EDRINGTON

I presented on a panel for the AEJMC's Public Relations Division Virtual Conference. The title of the panel was "Managing Collective Trauma in the PR Classroom".

Abstract: PR educators fill a variety of roles for students, one being a source of mental and emotional support in times of distress (Auger & Formentin, 2021; Madden & Del Rosso, 2021). As society reels from events such as the murder of George Floyd, violent storms and wildfires, the insurrection of the US Capitol, and a deadly pandemic, communities often experience collective trauma -- shared memories of, reactions to, and feelings towards societal events that affect everyone (Hirschberger, 2018). In terms of managing collective trauma, PR educators are shouldered with two central tasks in the PR classroom: 1) supporting students’ mental health through the events that influence individual and collective well-being and 2) helping students consider the role that PR plays in fostering the shared meaning that can help communities heal from collective trauma. This panel asks – how are we helping students navigate the collective stress and trauma the last two years have undoubtedly brought? How do PR and professional communication help us make meaning about what students and educators have experienced and how these experiences inform our pedagogy? What types of challenges have PR educators faced and how are they supporting one another? This panel spotlights PR educators who investigate risk/crisis, advocacy and social change, and dissensus/contentious issues to unpack what we can do to help students navigate the effects of collective trauma and help students forge paths forward to use PR for collective healing.

AWARDS/GRANTS

BRETT ROBERTSON

Winner of the 2021 National Communication Association (NCA) Communication and Aging Division Outstanding Dissertation Award

JUNGMI JUN, MIRANDA BUTLER (Honors Student and PR Major), and MEGHAN WHITTLE (Honors Student)

These students won Magellan Scholar award ($3,650) by the Office of Research. This funding will support their social media research project - "The New Frontier or a Billionaire’s Joy Ride? Artificial Intelligence Driven Analysis of Twitter Conversations of the SpaceX Company."

ROBERT MCKEEVER, JUNGMI JUN, JOON KYOUNG KIM (PhD alumnus), KAREN WILKERSHAM (School of Nursing), BRETT ROBERTSON, CHRISTOPHER NOLAND (PhD alumnus), and CARL CICCARELLI (PhD student)

Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN) Research Grant

Citation: McKeever, R., Jun, J., Kim, J.K., Wikersham, K., Robertson, B., Noland, C., & Ciccarelli, C. (2022). Identifying Optimal Visual Narratives to Impact African American Men’s Colorectal Cancer Risk Awareness and Screening Uptake. $19,915 grant awarded by the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN).

JEFFREY WILLIAMS

CIEL grant for the Community of Practice

Creation of a pilot film that follows the journey of the students enrolled in Maymester at the Circus before, during and after the course.

CONFERENCE PAPER

YINGYING CHEN, JACOB LONG (SJMC faculty), JUNGMI JUN (SJMC faculty), SEI-HILL KIM (SJMC faculty), ALI ZAIN (PhD student), and COLIN PIACENTINE (PhD student)

Citation: Chen, Y., Long, J., Jun J., Kim, S., Zain, A., & Piacentine, C. (2022). Anti-intellectualism amid the Covid-19 pandemic: The dynamics of anti-Fauci discourse on Twitter. Paper accepted by the 72nd Annual International Communications Association Conference (political communication session), Paris, France.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to understand anti-intellectual discourse and their dynamics and sources on social media. Anti-intellectualism, defined as a generalized distrust of experts and intellectuals has become a major obstacle for the public compliance with health policies and behaviors recommended by experts and governments. However, few studies investigate how people express anti-intellectualism and how such speech evolves over time on social media. Analyzing anti-Fauci tweets as a case study, we showed the presence of three types of discourses: people-scientist antagonism, delegitimizing science-based decision-making sovereignty, and delegitimizing truth-speaking sovereignty in anti-Fauci speech being shared on Twitter. Delegitimizing science-based decision-making sovereignty remained to be the major anti-intellectual discourse over time.

YINGYING CHEN

Citation: Chen, Y., Dong, C., Rodgers, K., Thorson, K., Baykaldi, S. & Cotter, K. (2022). Local civic information beyond the news: Computational identification of civic content on social media. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual International Communications Association Conference, Paris, France.

Abstract: Local news media used to be the central source for local civic information. As local news organizations dilapidated, the rise of Facebook provides infrastructure opportunities for non-news organizations to directly engage citizens. Thus, non-news organizations on Facebook shift the local civic information infrastructure as sources of civic information. The transformation in information ecology and infrastructure is missing in the current definition of civic information, which still perceives local news as local civic information. Using a combination of computational methods and human coding, we first classify distinct types of civic information in the Facebook posts of multiple types of community organizations, both news and non-news, in one mid-sized Midwestern U.S. city. We use bipartite network analysis to examine the connection between organization type and the production of types of civic information. We highlight the many ways that local organizations collaboratively promote the civic capacity of local residents, but meanwhile they also produce non-civic information, potentially to adapt to the platform for more public attention.

YINGYING CHEN and CINDY YU CHEN (PhD student)

Citation: Yuan, S., Chen, Y., Vojta, S., & Chen, CY. (2022). More aggressive, more retweets? Exploring the effects of aggressive climate change messages on Twitter. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual International Communications Association Conference, Paris, France.

Abstract: When an increasing amount of polarized and aggressive tweets of climate change are observed, limited is known as how they spread on Twitter. This study focuses on how different types of network gatekeepers use aggressive styles and how the styles affect their propagation. The current study employed a computational method and identified 951 influential accounts from 7.25 million tweets about climate change in 2019 and 2020. We analyzed their use of aggression and politicized cues, and the relationship with the volume of retweets. Results showed that even though aggressive tweets were a small portion of their overall tweets about climate change, aggressive tweets were more likely to be politicized and retweeted. Additionally, different types of accounts (e.g., news media, political elites, individuals) would use aggression differently. The findings of this study build on the current knowledge in the use of aggression online and provide practical implications for environmental communicators.

JABARI EVANS

I presented a paper in progress for the African American Communication and Culture Division at the annual Meeting of the National Communication Association in Seattle, Washington.

Citation: Evans, J.M. (2021). Clout(chasers): Relational Labor and Empowerment Strategies of Black Youth in Chicago’s DIY Rap Scene. Working paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association. Seattle, WA. November 18.

I see “clout chasing” as a techno-social competition in the marketplace of attention. For Black youth, clout chasing is self-expression that involves creatively asserting one’s presence in digital spaces that were not designed with them in mind. As a phenomenon, clout-chasing is built around youth sharing their everyday lives online in hopes of creating an engaging reputation within social media platforms. I use Clout-chasing as a framework to understand how Black youth use "underground" labor practices in the innovation economy to expose their creative talents.

ROBERT MCKEEVER

Citation: Holman L. & McKeever, R. (2022, May). Climate Change Storytelling: The Transportation Effect of Vividness and Exemplification in Video Narratives on Perceptions of Risk, Attitudes and Intended Behaviors. Paper accepted for presentation at the 72nd Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Paris, France

KIM THOMPSON

This presentation highlights recently collected data by Paul, Yadamsuren, and Thompson exploring ways COVID work-from-home restrictions have affect digital inclusion, digital tech adoption, digital use, and digital confidence.

Citation: Paul, A., Yadamsuren, B. & Thompson, K. M. (2021). Using Factors for Digital Inclusion to Assess Changes in Digital Use Behavior During COVID Times. Presented at the 8th PAN IIM World Management Conference: Responsible Business for Sustainable Development. 16-18 December, 2021 at Indian Institute of Management--Kozhikode, India.

Abstract: During this sudden dramatic transformation owing to the pandemic normal lives were disrupted and personal spaces merged in new ways with the professional. Considerable attention has been drawn to the need for understanding in what ways the pandemic has affected the use of digital media in everyday lives of people. Literature highlights the COVID-19 home in context of the digitized work arrangements and the need to look at unequal burdens of household work along with issues of digital access including Wi-Fi. Businesses are also reshaping their work practices in new ways after experiencing remote work during the pandemic. The purpose of our study is to explore the impact of COVID-19 in everyday lives of working professionals in India applying a digital inclusion framework (Thompson & Paul, 2020) using an online survey method. The findings of our study can help in understanding the new normal with respect to digital use in the lives of individuals owing to the pandemic that will be of interest to governments and organizations to formulate policies towards effective digital inclusion for citizens and better work productivity by employees during stressful times.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

SHANNON BOWEN and YICHING ZHU (SJMC doctoral graduate)

Citation: Yicheng Zhu, Shannon A. Bowen & Xiangming Lyu (2022): Messenger Nationality, Media Skepticism, and Crisis Communication Effectiveness: Huawei’s YouTube Messages as Perceived in the U.S., International Journal of Strategic Communication, DOI: 10.1080/1553118X.2021.2014499

Abstract: This study examines the effect of messenger nationality on the credibility perception of YouTube sources in the theoretical context of situational crisis communication theory (SCCT). An online survey experiment with a quota U.S. voter sample (N = 354) showed that Russian nationality decreases source credibility perception in comparison to U.K. and control conditions, while the latter two showed no differences. Although skepticism in domestic media dampens such an effect, path analyses also showed that such impact can be extended to the effectiveness of an MNC’s (i.e., Huawei) global crisis communication efforts in the U.S. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2021.2014499

YINGYING CHEN

Citation: Chen, Y., & Wang, L. (2022). Misleading political advertising fuels incivility online: A social network analysis of 2020 US presidential election campaign video comments on YouTube. Computers in Human Behavior, 107202.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107202

Abstract: In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, increasing misinformation-based political advertisements have circulated on video-sharing platforms, such as YouTube and challenged healthy political communication. This study investigates the social contagion of political incivility stemming from a misinformation-based campaign video posted by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Specifically, using dynamic network analysis and exponential random graph modeling, we explore and test three mechanisms (imitation, intergroup interaction, and reciprocity) for their role in the contagion of online political incivility. Contrary to previous findings, we show that online political incivility is not a fleeting occurrence but recurrent and sustaining given YouTube's promotional algorithms. Reciprocity is the primary mechanism that predicts the formation of uncivil politically-based interactions in YouTube comments. The findings provide implications for YouTube's content moderation mechanism and underline the need to reconsider the potential harm of promoting misinformation-based political campaigns through this platform.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107202

YINGYING CHEN

Citation: Chen, Y., Thorson, K., & Lavaccare, J. (2022). Convergence and Divergence: The Evolution of Climate Change Frames Within and Across Public Events. International Journal of Communication, 16, 23.

Abstract: The framing of climate change in the news over time plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding of the issue. This study examines variation in the framing of climate change in global news media across 12 high-attention climate events from 2012 to 2015. We show that events and journalistic practice interact to generate a mix of frames that collectively construct climate change discourse. Using topic modeling and network analysis, we identified six frames used in the media coverage of climate during this period. We trace the usage of these frames and show that framings related to policy struggles and economic concerns have become the “default” framing of climate change across news media. Other framings of the climate issue appear only when particular public events happen. The findings suggest that frame evolution is a socially constructed process influenced by journalistic routines and triggering events.

Link: https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/17609/3629

CANDICE EDRINGTON

Social movements are similar to public relations campaigns in that building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships are vital for their success. This article analyzes the website homepage of the Black Lives Matter movement to assess how they build relationships with their publics.

Citation: Edrington, C. (2021). Information, identification, or both? A rhetorical analysis of how BLM uses their official website. The Pennsylvania Communication Annual, 77(2), 11-30.

Abstract: The purpose of this analysis is to examine the rhetorical dimension of Black Lives Matter’s website homepage in an effort to uncover how identification is articulated in and through the website. This rhetorical analysis focuses on the larger issues of how social movements use digital tools to help advance their goals and achieve action.

JUNGMI JUN, JUN J. ZHANG (PhD alumna), ALI ZAIN (PhD student), and EHSAN MOHAMMADI (iSchool faculty)

Social media discourse of the FDA’s MRTP authorization of IQOS. Substance Use and Misuse.

Citation: Jun, J., Zhang, N., Zhane, A., & Mohammadi, E. (2022).

Abstract: Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of the IQOS tobacco heating system as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) in July 2020, permitting its ‘reduced exposure’ marketing. This decision is accompanied by much controversy among the global health community. We provide a preliminary analysis of Twitter conversations regarding the MRTP authorization of IQOS by identifying the authors, valence towards the policy decision, source of cited link, and focused topic. Methods: We analyzed 548 tweets mentioning MRTP posted between July 2016 (when PMI submitted the proposal) and October 2020. Results: We found a higher proportion of pro-MRTP valence (25.4%) than anti-MRTP (16.2%). Nearly half of the tweets (47.2%) expressing personal opinions presented pro-MRTP valence (vs. anti-MRTP = 23.9%). The FDA website was more frequently cited in pro-MRTP tweets (30.8% vs. anti = 4.8%), while tobacco control advocates’ websites were cited only in anti-MRTP tweets (77.4% vs. pro = 0). Pro-MRTP valence appeared more frequently in tweets mentioning health (53.1% vs. anti =38.5%) and cessation (100% vs. anti = 0). Nearly 42% of tweets showed a bot score greater than .43, indicating a possibility of automation. Conclusion: Continuous efforts are needed to surveil the industry’s attempts to create a climate of false consensus and circulate misinformation regarding MRTP on social media, as well as to assist non-scientific audiences’ understanding of MRTP.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/UXNVNZVCQXUDCGENFA5M/full?target=10.1080/10826084.2021.2019777

AMIR KARAMI, PARISA BOZORGI (Arnold School of Public Health), DWAYNE E. PORTER (Arnold School of Public Health) and JAN M. EBERTH (Arnold School of Public Health)

This study published by Drug and Alcohol Dependence (Impact Factor: 4.492) aims to identify the leading neighborhood-level predictors of drug overdose and develop a model to predict areas at the highest risk of drug overdose using geographic information systems and machine learning (ML) techniques.

Citation: Bozorgi, P., Porter, D. E., Eberth, J. M., Eidson, J. P., & Karami, A. (2021). The leading neighborhood-level predictors of drug overdose: a mixed machine learning and spatial approach. Drug and alcohol dependence, 109143.

Abstract:

Background: Drug overdose is a leading cause of unintentional death in the United States and has contributed significantly to a decline in life expectancy during recent years. To combat this health issue, this study aims to identify the leading neighborhood-level predictors of drug overdose and develop a model to predict areas at the highest risk of drug overdose using geographic information systems and machine learning (ML) techniques.

Method: Neighborhood-level (block group) predictors were grouped into three domains: socio-demographic factors, drug use variables, and protective resources. We explored different ML algorithms, accounting for spatial dependency, to identify leading predictors in each domain. Using geographically weighted regression and the best-performing ML algorithm, we combined the output prediction of three domains to produce a final ensemble model. The model performance was validated using classification evaluation metrics, spatial cross-validation, and spatial autocorrelation testing.

Results: The variables contributing most to the predictive model included the proportion of households with food stamps, households with an annual income below $35,000, opioid prescription rate, smoking accessories expenditures, and accessibility to opioid treatment programs and hospitals. Compared to the error estimated from normal cross-validation, the generalized error of the model did not increase considerably in spatial cross-validation. The ensemble model using ML outperformed the GWR method.

Conclusion: This study identified strong neighborhood-level predictors that place a community at risk of experiencing drug overdoses, as well as protective factors. Our findings may shed light on several specific avenues for targeted intervention in neighborhoods at risk for high drug overdose burdens.

Link: https://doi-org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109143

VANESSA KITZIE

Citation: Kitzie, V., Connaway, L.S., & Radford, M.L. (2021). “I’ve already Googled it and I can’t understand it”: User’s perceptions of virtual reference and social question-answering sites. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 59(3/4), 204-215.

Abstract: For librarians to continually demonstrate superior and high-quality service, they must meet the needs of current and potential users. One way that librarians have met the needs of users is by expanding their service offerings online via virtual reference services (VRS). This expansion is particularly critical in the current time of COVID-19. To provide high-quality VRS service, librarians can learn from social question-answering (SQA) sites, whose popularity reflect changing user expectations, motivations, use, and assessment of information. Informed by interviews with 51 users and potential users of both platforms this research examines how strengths from SQA can be leveraged in VRS, and what can be learned from SQA practices to reach potential library users. This study represents one of the few comparisons between VRS and SQA that exist in the literature.

Link: https://journals.ala.org/index.php/rusq/article/view/7721

KIRSTIN PELLIZZARO

By measuring the psychological distance to COVID-19, either as a health or economic risk to one's self, we were able to explain why people accept rumored messages to be true. Implications for misinformation and rumor psychology research are discussed.

Citation: Kwon KH, Pellizzaro K, Shao C, Chadha M. “I Heard That COVID-19 Was...”: Rumors, Pandemic, and Psychological Distance. American Behavioral Scientist. January 2022. doi:10.1177/00027642211066026

Abstract: The spread of misinformation through a variety of communication channels has amplified society’s challenge to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. While existing studies have examined how misinformation spreads, few studies have examined the role of psychological distance in people’s mental processing of a rumor and their propensity to accept self-transformed narratives of the message. Based on an open-ended survey data collected in the U.S. (N = 621) during an early phase of the pandemic, the current study examines how psychological distance relates to the transformation and acceptance of conspiratorial narratives in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two instances of misinformation are examined, both of which were widely heard at the time of data collection: the role of (a) Bill Gates and (b) government during the outbreak of the pandemic. This study uses topic modeling techniques to capture distinctive topical attributes that emerged from rumor narratives. In addition, statistical analyses estimate the psychological distance effects on the salience of topical attributes of a rumor story and an individual’s propensity to believe them. Findings reveal that psychological distance to the threats of COVID-19 influences how misinformation evolves through word-of-mouth, particularly in terms of who is responsible for the pandemic and why the world finds itself in the current situation. Psychological distance also explains why people accept the message to be true. Implications for misinformation and rumor psychology research, as well as avenues for future research, are discussed.

Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00027642211066026?fbclid=IwAR1wJI1z38zq6dpo2jnyaoLY_IJdZF6qx2VOHeBv1zhAiJr_M-3k5bWeb1w

TOM REICHERT

Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Advertising.

Citation: Choi, Hojoon, Kyunga Yoo, Tom Reichert, and Temple Northup (forthcoming). Sexual Ad Appeals in Social Media: Effects and Influences of Cultural Difference and Sexual Self-Schema. International Journal of Advertising.

LINWAN WU

Commenting on Brand Posts during a Crisis: The Relationship between Context-Induced Moods and Brand Message Processing across Three Social Media Platforms

Citation: Feng, Y., & Wu, L. (2021). Commenting on brand posts during a crisis: The relationship between context-induced moods and brand message processing. Journal of Interactive Advertising. DOI: 10.1080/15252019.2021.1994060

Abstract: Within the context of COVID-19, this study examines the relationship between context-induced moods and consumers’ responses to two different types of brand posts on social media: profit-driven posts and public-driven posts. Using both social media data (24,578 user comments on 14 brand posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and survey data (356 subjects recruited from Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk), we found that across all three social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), the more negative mood one was in when using a social media platform during the pandemic, the more likely one would leave a comment to praise the company endorser of the public-driven post (comment type 5) as opposed to leaving a comment to discuss serious issues, shedding light on the prediction of negative-state relief model. By contrast, across all three social media platforms, there is no relationship between context-induced moods and types of comments people leave on a profit-driven brand post. We provide theoretical, practical, and methodological implications for future research.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15252019.2021.1994060

PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

LINWAN WU

How the public and consumers respond to AI’s involvement in advertising.

Invited virtual presentation at the Fourth Annual International Conference on Intelligence Science and Advertising Development, Shanghai International Studies University.

Citation: Wu, L. (November 2021). How the public and consumers respond to AI’s involvement in advertising. Invited presentation at the Fourth Annual International Conference on Intelligence Science and Advertising Development, Shanghai International Studies University. Online.

BOOK CHAPTER

KIM THOMPSON and CLAYTON A. COPELAND

Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the LIS education and practice sectors: Creating accessible learning environments and informing social justice through universal design. In B. Mehra (Ed.), Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science. Routledge.

Citation: Copeland, C. A. & Thompson, K. M. (2022). Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the LIS education and practice sectors: Creating accessible learning environments and informing social justice through universal design. In B. Mehra (Ed.), Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science (pp. 190-201). Routledge.

Abstract: Social justice concepts can play a pivotal, transformational role in Library and Information Science (LIS) education and practice. Universal design – or design focused on meeting the needs of everyone, regardless of variabilities -- is one framework that can enhance the experience for all. This chapter provides a pedagogical approach to inclusion and accessibility in the LIS sector, providing practical examples of approaches to social justice in course design and delivery through a focus on physical equity, intellectual diversity, and social inclusion. This pedagogical model draws upon the core principles of Universal Design for Learning, and will not only ensure that more students in our programs can be successful in the learning environment, but also that the integration and modeling of these principles for course design throughout the curriculum ultimately can have pervasive social impacts and resultant community involvement in LIS practice, research, education, policy development, service design, and program implementation.

OTHER

KEVIN HULL

Kevin has been named to the editorial board of the International Journal of Sport Communication.

AMIR KARAMI

Dr. Karami was selected as the editor for the Open-Access Special Issue "Applications of Social Media Analytics for Health Informatics" for Healthcare (IF:2.645 & Indexed in PubMed). The first review would be done in less than one month. While the due date is Aug 1, 2022, Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted).

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare/special_issues/social_media_analytics

College of Information and Communications

College of Information and Communications