Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor:  Amanda Young

Faculty Mentor's Department:  Communication & Film

Contact Information:  ajyoung@memphis.edu; (901) 484-2677

Project Description:  My research focuses on communication issues in sickle cell disease, particularly in issues of social justice and health inequities. Sickle cell disease is the most common, life-limiting genetic disease in the United States, with 100,000 people suffering from it. A research assistant will use qualitative research methods to help me collect interview and focus group data and then analyze transcripts. They will receive necessary training and will also have opportunity to participate in writing articles for publication.

Qualifications for Student Applicants: Communication, English, Psychology, or Sociology majors or any of the health-related programs at the UofM. Coursework in research methods is a plus, but training can be provided.

Application Process: Submit a letter of interest/cover letter, along with contact information for references from two professors; Interview will be required.

Hours Per Week:  5 to 10 hours

Start Date:  Immediately

Faculty Mentor: Amanda Nell Edgar

Faculty Mentor's Department: Communication & Film

Contact Information: 785-826-7024; anedgar@memphis.edu

Project Description: Dr. Andre Johnson and Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar are beginning work on a follow-up project to their award-winning book, The Struggle Over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter. This project will continue their work interviewing members of the Black Lives Matter social movement to understand their thoughts, motivations, understandings, and strategies.

They are seeking an undergraduate research assistant who can help to schedule and conduct interviews over the phone. An additional research assistant may be hired to help transcribe the audio interviews.

Requirements for Student Applicants: For scheduling and interviewing -- the applicant does *not* need previous experience or training in interviewing, but should be personable and enthusiastic, and a good conversationalist. Applicants should also be well organized and able to set and stick to a schedule. Applicants should have some interest in Black Lives Matter.

For transcription -- the applicant should be a fast typist and reasonable good with technology.

Application or Interview Process: Interested students should submit a general work resume, a cover letter explaining their interest in the project

Hours per Week the Student Will Work: Flexible

Starting Date: January 2021

Method of Compensation:  Volunteer

Faculty Mentor: Miriam van Mersbergen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Faculty Mentor's Department: School of Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech Language Pathology

Contact Information: Miriam.van.Mersbergen@memphis.edu; 901.678.4474

Project Description: We all have experienced the phenomenon where we can know a person's state of being just by listening to their voice.  The voice is a powerful communicator of our thought and emotions and when it cannot effectively transmit this information, communication breakdowns occur.  The Voice Emotion and Cognition Laboratory investigates the relationship between emotional and cognitive processes and voice production. The laboratory has on-going projects investigating the neural responses (measured with brain waves or electroencephalography) individuals have when they make vocal mistakes. Understanding how individuals react to their own mistakes can lead to a better understanding of how people develop voice disorders. In addition, the laboratory actively studies how individuals perceive themselves by the sound of their voice and how individuals rate the amount of effort it takes to use ones voice.  Understanding these processes can help those with difficulties using their voice and assist those who use their voice heavily (like teachers) in optimizing their voice use.

Requirements for Student Applicants: This laboratory employs psychological paradigms and measures and is well-suited for the psychology student or students studying cognitive neuroscience.  In addition, students with biology, communication, sociology backgrounds, music and theater majors and minors- particularly those with an interest in voice are well suited for work in this lab. Students interested in the application of biomedical engineering products or gaining clinical skills measuring physiological data (i.e. pre-med) are also welcome. Skills required for this lab include the ability 1) to communicate effectively with participants, 2) to learn data organization and processing techniques using Excel, SPSS, and R, 3) to organize schedules for participants, and 4) engage in research training through CITI and other on-line tutorials.  GPAs higher than 3.0 are preferred.

Application or Interview Process: Students should submit a cover letter, letter of reference from one faculty member who was their primary instructor, and unofficial transcripts.  Following the review of application materials, a personal interview may be set up to assess level of interest and fit in the laboratory. Hours per week the student will work: 10 hours per week minimum.  If the student wishes to work more than 10 hours per week, this should be mentioned in the cover letter.

Start Date: Ongoing

Method of Compensation: Volunteer

Name of the Faculty Mentor: Andre E. Johnson

Faculty Mentor's Department: Communication

Contact Information: ajohnsn6@memphis.edu  

Project Description: My current and ongoing research project focus on collecting and editing the speeches and writings of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner (1834-1915). My research aims to introduce Turner to scholars of (African) American public address and a research assistant will help me in three major ways. First, a research assistant will assist me on the current collection and publication of the "Literary Archive of Henry McNeal Turner (Mellen Press). Second, a research assistant will assist me with the publication of a "Turner Reader." Tentatively titled "The Press, the Platform, and the Pulpit: The Speeches and Writings of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner. Third, a research assistant will assist me in maintaining a digital archival platform. Titled the Henry McNeal Turner Project, the aim here is to collect not only the speeches and writings of Turner but writings and research about Turner

Skills: Comfortable with social media application and online research platforms. Interest in African American rhetoric and the Black Church is preferable.

Hours per week: 15

Starting Date: Immediately

Method of Compensation: Volunteer

Name of the Faculty Mentor: Craig Stewart

Faculty Mentor's Department: Communication

Contact Information: Craig.Stewart@memphis.edu 

Project Description - STEM Identity and STEM Education--This project involves analyzing qualitative data about individuals' STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Identities and/or students' experiences in STEM education. Data include interview transcripts and written journals.

Requirements for Student Applicants - Communication Studies, anthropology, education, English (linguistics), psychology, sociology majors with coursework in research methods.

Application or Interview Process - Cover letter and resume. Qualified applicants will be brought in for an interview.

Hours per week the student will work - 5-10

Start Date - 8/28/23