Dr. Erik C Nisbet
Assistant Professor

Contact Information
School of Communication
The Ohio State University
3066 Derby Hall
154 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
Email: nisbet.5@osu.edu
Phone:  (614) 247-1693  (614) 247-1693
Fax: (614) 292-2055

Qualifications
B.A., Government/International Relations, Cornell University
M.S., Communication, Cornell University
Ph.D., Communication, Cornell University

Profile
My primary research focus is comparative political communication and the media psychology of international relations, combining theory and research from the fields of communication and political science. Much of my research examines the interplay between media and social identity schema and how they influence audience perceptions of international conflict and terrorism across national contexts.

My research also includes a focus on the relationships between media, political behavior, and public opinion in developing democracies and the consequences for democratization, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A third research area centers on strategic framing effects on public opinion, both at the psychological and sociological levels of analysis.  Past and present research includes examining strategic framing around issues like globalization and climate change. This interest in strategic communication partially stems from my seven years of industry experience in strategic marketing.

My teaching interests include a broad array of classes in the field of communication, including strategic communication, international communication, comparative political communication, public opinion, and science communication.

 Recent Publications

Hart, P.S., Nisbet, E.C., and Shanahan, J. (in press). Environmental values and the social amplification of risk: An examination of how environmental values and media use influence predispositions for public engagement in wildlife management decision making. Society and Natural Resources.

Nisbet, E.C. (2008). Media use, democratic citizenship, and communicating gaps in a developing democracy. International Journal of Public Opinion Research. 20 (4), 454-482

Nisbet, E.C. and Shanahan, J. (2008). Anti-Americanism as a communication problem? Foreign media and public opinion toward the United States in Europe and the Middle East. American Journal of Media Psychology. 1(1). 7-35

Nisbet, E.C., Ostman, R., and Shanahan, J. (2008). Public Opinion toward Muslim Americans: Civil Liberties and the Role of Religiosity, Ideology, and Media Use. In A. Sinno’s (ed.) Muslims in Western Politics. (pp. 161-199). Bloomington: Indiana University Press

Upcoming/Recent Presentations

Nisbet, E.C. and Myers, T. (2009, November). "Challenging the State: Transnational TV and Political Identity in the Middle East."  Paper presented to the Second Cairo International Conference on Public Opinion. Cairo, Egypt.

Nisbet, E.C. and Hart, P.S. (2009, May). "Framing global climate change: cognitive and emotional Responses within a competitive message environment." Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the 2009 International Communication Association Conference. Chicago, Il.

Nisbet, E.C. (2009, May). "'Why do they like us?' Deconstructing Muslim Public Opinion Across Regional Contexts." Paper presented to the Global Communication and Social Change Division of the 2009 International Communication Association Conference. Chicago, Il.