Category: Faculty News

Communication science professor Catalina Toma offers tips for being honest, strategic, and swipe-worthy online.

You may have heard a college student refer to their experiences outside the classroom as “real life.” How can we dispel the impression that what happens in the classroom is somehow disconnected from students’ lives? How can we make our courses more “real” to students? And how might this infusion of “real life” into the classroom motivate student learning and engagement? Read on for small changes that can make your assignments more authentic and encourage student motivation and learning.

As she heads into retirement, Sue Zaeske reflects on a career expanding the scope of the College of Letters & Science.

UW–Madison study reveals what people want to know about PFAS in drinking water and how insights can guide better public health communication.

As the digital world expands, Communication Arts is building a team of scholars whose research and teaching can propel the field forward. We are honored to have Matthew Hannah join our department as faculty in digital studies this fall to expand our impact in this area. Professor Hannah’s research focuses on how digital platforms and …

Each time we welcome a new visiting assistant professor to our department, their ideas and methods of studying communication make large impacts on our student curriculum. This year, we are thrilled to be joined by Paxton Haven, whose research focuses on the ways digital media affects local music economies, specifically dance music and nightlife club …

Communication Arts is proud to announce that our newest faculty member, Professor Diana Leon-Boys, has arrived at UW–Madison. Leon-Boys joins us as an Assistant Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, and we are sure she will help transform the department in the years to come. Leon-Boys focuses her research on media, social inequalities, and representations …

A new study recently published in the “Journal of Environmental Health” shows that large numbers of Americans are searching online for ways to reduce their exposure to PFAS, a group of synthetic “forever chemicals” found in everything from nonstick pans to takeout containers.

Communication Arts faculty member Robert Asen has received a significant honor with his recent award of a WARF Named Professorship. This university-wide recognition was given out to just ten faculty members across campus in 2025 and honors faculty who have made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge through research and teaching in their field. …

Professor Allison Prasch is one of eleven University-wide faculty members honored with a 2025-2026 H.I Romnes Fellowship award. This award recognizes UW faculty who have made exceptional research contributions within six years of earning tenure. As a research award that provides a significant amount of support over the next five years, the Romnes Fellowship is …