Kristine Crane

Ph.D.

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I'm a doctoral candidate in mass communications, also pursuing a certificate in women's studies. I have a professional background in journalism, having started my career in Italy, where I wrote for several news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. Back in the U.S., I did a Master's in science reporting from Columbia University and then worked as a health editor and reporter for various publications, including U.S. News & World Report. In 2014, I received the Sunshine State Award for Health Reporting in Florida. I also have an MFA in nonfiction writing and publish in literary magazines. I'm interested broadly in communications research that provides a retrospective and critical perspective on media coverage, and that which incorporates a and cultural historical perspective. As a lover of words primarily, and ideas, secondarily, I've been focused on methodologies that drill down to critical discussion of words and meaning-making with them--so critical discourse analysis and critical thematic analysis.

Awards and Honors

Julie Dodd Graduate Student Teaching Award, CJC, 2025.

Giuseppe Carpanacci National and International Prose and Poetry Competition, Cultural Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy in Italy; Region of Umbria; Municipality of Spello, 2021.

Education

M.A., Columbia School of Journalism, Science Reporting
M.F.A., Pacific University, Nonfiction
B.A., Northwestern University, History/European History

Publications

Presentations

Crane, K. (2025). Dissertation research presentation. Oral Presentation at IAMAS, Boston.

Crane, K. (2024). Bound: Relocation Statutes and Maternal Autonomy. Oral Presentation at National Women's Studies Association Annual meeting, Detroit, MI.

Crane, K. (2024). Fathers' rights versus feminists: a content analysis of joint custody in the media. Paper/Poster at AEJMC-CCSD, Philadelphia, PA.

Crane, K. M. (2024). l'americana: twenty years of love letters to Italy. Lecture at Italy in Transit, Boca Raton, FL.

Crane, K., Vasquez, T., & Walsh-Childers, K. (2023). Mapping News Coverage during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Content and Framing Analyses. Paper/Poster at AEJMC, Washington D.C. .

Crane, K. M. (2023). Digital storytelling and mothers. Oral Presentation at Radical Listening: Storytelling for a Just Future, Baltimore, MD.

Crane, K. M. (2023). Bound: Mothers Trapped by Relocation Statutes. Oral Presentation at Mothering and Motherhood on the Home/Front, Chicago, IL.

Crane, K. M. (2021). "Digital Storytelling as a Form of Literary Nonfiction and Memoir". Oral Presentation at Storytelling for a 'Just' Future, Loughborough, United Kingdom.

Creative Works

Crane, K. M. (2023). "L'Americana". Monthly columnist and associate editor for The American in Italia online magazine. The American in Italia magazine. Rome, Italy https://theamericanmag.com/lamericana/.

Crane, K. M. (2023). Poems of resistance during the pandemic. Poetry. online conference-10th annual Graduate Communication Association conference. Bowling Green , OH.

Crane, K. (2020). "Mothering: From Grief to Gratitude". The Examined Life Journal. Iowa City, IA.

Research

Specialization

social media, media studies, critical cultural, women's studies, historical studies

Professional Interests

I'm a professional journalist and writer as well, and my primary professional interest is teaching writing classes that span journalism and academic skills. I have a particular interest in feminist methodologies. I also teach in an Italy-based study abroad program focused on storytelling and cultural immersion, which draws from my earlier academic and professional journalism background in Italy.