Faculty

Generally, my research is concerned with the effects and implications of new media technologies, including virtual worlds, video games, social networking sites, websites, blogs, and mobile applications. In particular, I am interested in how our online selves and social interactions influence our offline identities, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, including relational initiation, development, maintenance, and dissolution. Much of my work includes explorations of the constructs of identification, presence, and interactivity.

My research is often in the realms of health and sex, gender, and sexuality. With regard to health, I am interested in how new technologies affect psychological and physical health outcomes; how virtual representations can be used as persuasive agents; and how avatars may be implemented in patient-provider and patient-patient interaction. In the domain of sex, gender, and sexuality, I am interested in how sex and gender are presented online; how existing stereotypes are perpetuated and refuted in virtual environments; and how sexualized representations in virtual worlds, video games, and social networking sites impact attitudes and behavior.

Teaching about new technologies is exciting because of the applicability of the material to our everyday lives. Learning to analyze, critique, and understand these technologies is crucial so that students can maximize their effectiveness in practice and make informed decisions regarding their use. My classes also focus on developing writing skills as they are a fundamental part of earning a degree in Communication.

When I’m not reading, writing, or researching, I enjoy listening to music, playing sports, learning trivial crafts and skills, frolicking in the outdoors, road tripping, cooking, and--my favorite hobby of all--eating. I proudly hail from Louisville, Kentucky, and love rolling hills, fried food, and all things bluegrass. Most of all, I love Derby (of the Kentucky, roller, and Hall varieties) and plan my calendar around the first Saturday in May.