Research

Co-PI: Ruth Yeboah This project examines how AI-enabled virtual reality environments can support public speaking confidence and communication competence among non-native English speakers. Using immersive VR scenarios and AI-driven feedback, the study explores how participants interact with intelligent systems while practicing speech delivery, audience engagement, and language use. Grounded in Human–Machine Communication, the project investigates how trust, anxiety, agency, an

Co-PI: Keith Instone This community-engaged research partnership with Wood County Community Health Center examines patient-facing communication within digital health portals, with a focus on InteliChart. The project explores how patients interpret, trust, and engage with portal messages, reminders, and digital interfaces in everyday health management. Grounded in Human–Machine Communication and health communication scholarship, the project is conducted in collaboration with C

Co-PI: Dr.MD Main Uddin Rony Research Assistants: Ruth Yeboah This project examines the integration of artificial intelligence in newsroom workflows through a collaboration with WTVG abc13 on the AI-Newsroom initiative, the study explores how journalists communicate with  and around  AI tools in everyday news production. Grounded in Human–Machine Communication, the project investigates how AI reshapes editorial decision-making, professional roles, trust, and ethical responsib

Co-PIs: Dr. Radhika Gajjala, Dr. Xiaofeng Jia Research Assistants: Ruth Yeboah, Diana Boakyewaa This ongoing project examines synthetic interaction with AI social companions and their growing role in everyday emotional life. While AI companions are increasingly embedded in intimate and supportive contexts, there remains little shared language or evidence-based guidance for navigating emotional engagement with relational AI. Existing research has largely focused on whether peo

Co-PI: Jisha Jacob This project examines how AI systems are used in mental health and wellness contexts, focusing on communication, care, and ethical design in human–AI interaction.

Co-PI: Dr. Sandra Faulkner This project uses photovoice and poetic inquiry to explore how data centers are experienced, imagined, and felt in everyday life. Working with graduate student co-researchers, the study invites participants to document how data infrastructures intersect with place, labor, environment, and community, particularly in regions where data centers are increasingly visible yet rarely discussed. By combining visual storytelling and poetic reflection, the pr

Co-PIs: Man Luo, Jisha Jacob, Shahla Dyuti, Victoria Main This project examines co-education as a collaborative pedagogical model in large communication courses, where faculty and graduate teaching assistants share instructional design, coordination, assessment, and care work. Grounded in communication pedagogy, the project explores how distributed teaching teams use communication infrastructure, shared reflection, and relational feedback to support inclusive learning at scal

Co-PIs: Tyler Perez, Rachel Thomas This honors research project involves undergraduate students from the School of Aviation who are collaborating on a communication-focused study examining mental health and discourse among pilots. The project highlights interdisciplinary collaboration and centers communication as a critical lens for understanding wellbeing, identity, and access to care in aviation settings.

Co-PI: Donnie Glover This project examines AI-generated daily affirmations as a form of communicative support in everyday life. Focusing on how affirmation messages are produced, delivered, and interpreted by users, the study explores how language, tone, timing, and perceived intentionality shape experiences of wellness, motivation, and emotional connection.

Text Frieda is a mixed-methods research project that examines how AI-powered conversational agents shape student engagement and real-world behavioral follow-through in higher education. Focusing on Bowling Green State University’s Text Frieda texting service, the project investigates how communication affordances—such as empathetic tone, personalization, persuasive nudges, and interactivity—translate digital conversations into offline action, including advising appointment co