Education: Ph.D., University of Washington (2006); M.A., University of Washington (2001); B.Phil., Miami University (1993).
Professional Experience: Assistant Professor, Ohio University (2007-current); Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University (2006-07); Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, University of Washington (1999-2006); Adjunct Instructor, University of Puget Sound (2002); Research Associate, The Boeing Company (2001-2004).
Publications: Author or co-author of book chapters in edited volumes and articles in Communication Theory, Human Communication Research, Small Group Research, Western Journal of Communication, Political Communication, Journal of Public Deliberation, and Qualitative Research Reports in Communication. Numerous professional papers presented at regional and national conferences.
Honors: Recipient of the 2007 Laura Crowell Thesis/Dissertation Award, NCA Group Communication Division.Top papers at NCA in Group Communication and Language and Social Interaction divisions. Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award, University of Washington. Fellow in “Connecting with the Community” doctoral institute on public scholarship, University of Washington.
Research Interests: I study group deliberation and dialogue, with a special focus on storytelling, conflict management, and identity. My research includes studies of public meetings, jury deliberations, organizational training sessions, and online discussions. In all of these settings, I aim to understand how scholars and practitioners can further the deliberative ideals of well-informed, reasonable, respectful discussion about public issues, while also recognizing people’s need for connection, community, and an affirmation of their core values. Some of my current work investigates public participation in environmental decision making.
Teaching Specialization: Group communication, organizational communication, public deliberation, ethnography and discourse analysis.