About Research & Insights
Research and Insights spotlights leading ideas and science at the forefront of journalism, public relations, telecommunication and advertising from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. We are driven to produce prominent scholarship and storytelling strategies, technologies and ideas that can have a positive impact on society.
Whether it is best practices from a guest speaker or the latest findings from our faculty and graduate students, here you can access new research and insights that are advancing the diverse and rapidly changing field of communications.
On the top menu, you can access our research and insights, academic publications and expert faculty.
For more information
Research and Insights Site: Randy Bennett, rbennett@jou.ufl.edu
Division of Research: Marcia DiStaso, associate dean, mdistaso@ufl.edu
Areas of Study and Expertise
Health and Science
Examine public awareness, interest, understanding, confidence, and willingness to engage with information on health and science topics in mediated as well as interpersonal and organizational contexts.
Audience and Social Media
Examine how messages flow to large and small audiences, with an emphasis on how communication technologies influence the formation, transmission and reception of messages.
Political Communication, Ethics and Law
Explore issues of how public opinion and communication practice are shaped through traditional and interactive media, laws, policies and ethical codes.
Organizational Communication and Strategic Decision-Making
Examine communication processes involved in how individuals make decisions as well as the contexts in which individuals make decisions drawing on behavioral decision theory, information processing and cognitive psychology.
Social Change and Public Interest Communication
Explore the study and practice of science-based, planned strategic communication campaigns with the main goal of achieving significant change and sustained positive behavioral change on a public interest issue that transcends the particular interests of any single organization. So at it’s basis, Public Interest Communications is using communications to drive social change.
How “The Wonder Years” Reboot Redefined Black Masculinity
Television reboots often rekindle nostalgia, but the 2021 reboot of “The Wonder Years” did something more ambitious: it reimagined Black masculinity and family life during the Civil Rights era. A recent study reveals how storytelling by the mass media can reclaim Black history and challenge common negative portrayals of Black men.
The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Purpose-Driven Approach to Sustainable Growth
In today’s interconnected world, businesses are no longer judged solely by their profitability but also by the impact they have on society, the environment and the well-being of their employees. As companies navigate a landscape defined by rapid technological advancements, economic shifts, and growing calls for accountability, the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and corporate purpose has never been more critical.
Calling Wonder Woman for Science: How Female Experts Engender Likability and Trust
Public trust in science has been declining for decades, a challenge that may be exacerbated by pop culture and media portrayals of scientists as cold and disconnected. Could a female face give science communication the warmth it needs to succeed?
Beyond Consent: Rethinking Privacy in the Digital Age
In an age where data drives much of our digital interactions, questions about privacy and consent are more pressing than ever. As tech evolves, so do the complexities of navigating the digital landscape — particularly when it comes to the collection and use of our personal data. This book chapter argues that the traditional understanding of consent — where individuals simply opt into terms and conditions — fails to protect users in the current data ecosystem.