Are You Ready for Awkward Holiday Conversations?
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Thanksgiving is here – and the winter holidays aren’t far behind – bringing the annual traditions of turkey, travel, and tricky conversations.
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Communication Department
Communication Addresses 21st Century Challenges and Opportunities
The Department of Communication is dedicated to advancing knowledge about communication and its practice in society. The department examines how meaning is created and negotiated in human interaction to address the personal, professional, and public communication challenges and opportunities posed by 21st century life. Our students become leaders in private, public and civil sectors by developing a deep and practical appreciation of how communication shapes the world in which we live.Research from SC&I’s renowned faculty experts examines the complexity of communication processes related to five focal areas: communication and technology, health communication, interpersonal communication, language and social interaction, and organizational communication. SC&I’s students may also acquire knowledge and skills allowing them to pursue careers related to strategic communication and public relations, leadership, health and wellness, relational and family communication, and a range of other options.
Department of Communication programs:
Communication Department Faculty
Please visit our faculty site.
Faculty accomplishments:
- NSF, NIH, U.S. Department of Education and other grant recipients
- NIH/NSF/CDC grant reviewers
- Multiple national and international awards for scholarship
- Top Dissertation and Dissertation Advisor Award winners
- Dozens of Top Paper, Top Article, and Top Book Award honors
- Keynote addresses given at multiple national and international conferences
- Current and former NCA and ICA division chairs and board members
- Journal editors and editorial board members for the leading academic journals in our field
- Rutgers awards for research, teaching and service
Thomson Scientific ranked U.S. institutions that published at least 75 papers between 2002 and 2006 in communication journals they index. The Rutgers Department of Communication ranked #1 nationwide. The Department is proud to have Top 20 rankings in the 2004 NCA Doctoral Program Reputation Studies for Organizational, Interpersonal, Technology, & Health Communication.
Research
The department also supports several research centers, clusters, and labs.
- Center for Communication and Health Issues Partnership for Education and Research
- Center for Organizational Leadership
- CommUnity Health Action Lab
- Computational Social Science Lab
- NetSCI Lab
- Rutgers University Conversation Analysis Lab
- The Laboratory for the Study of Applied Language Technology and Society
Research Videos
Caregiving, Lisa Mikesell
Digital Street, Jeff Lane
Welcome to Our New Faculty Members
Department News
Celebrating Distinguished Professor Kathryn Greene’s Extraordinary Achievements at NCA
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At the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Greene received three major distinctions, each underscoring her profound influence on the Communication field.
Fall 2025 Public Speaking Competition Highlights the Power of Turning Ideas into Action
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"Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but I think it’s one of the most powerful skills you can have, because no matter what field you end up in—business, tech, medicine, or even something completely unexpected—you’re always going to have to talk to someone," said the competition's first-place winner Clarina Xavier.
Online Barriers to Food Assistance: Study Finds SNAP Websites Rarely Offer Chatbots or Spanish-Language Help
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A study that examined whether state-level Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) websites provide equitable access to information through chatbots found that most states lack chatbot access, and multilingual access is even rarer, creating signif
Rutgers Health Awards Brent Ruben the 2025 Chancellor’s Inaugural Leadership Award
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Presenting the award to Professor Ruben, Chancellor Brian Strom said Brent’s "guidance and insight have enabled Rutgers Health to think boldly and act strategically, fostering a culture of excellence that empowers our people and advances our mission."