Communication Research Center
@bucomresearch.bsky.social
The Communication Research Center at Boston University is a vibrant community of faculty and students who explore communication phenomena using cutting-edge theories and methods.
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🔗 https://campsite.bio/bucomresearch
✉️ crccom@bu.edu
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🔗 https://campsite.bio/bucomresearch
✉️ crccom@bu.edu
❄️In her last Director's Letter of 2025, Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social gives a recap on all the past fall semester happenings at the CRC; including lecture series, research studies, podcast episodes, community-fostering, and more.
Read the December 2025 Letter here 👉 tinyurl.com/566rd2wj
Read the December 2025 Letter here 👉 tinyurl.com/566rd2wj
Letter from the Director: December 2025 | Communication Research Center
tinyurl.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
❄️In her last Director's Letter of 2025, Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social gives a recap on all the past fall semester happenings at the CRC; including lecture series, research studies, podcast episodes, community-fostering, and more.
Read the December 2025 Letter here 👉 tinyurl.com/566rd2wj
Read the December 2025 Letter here 👉 tinyurl.com/566rd2wj
CRC Director Michelle Amazeen (@commscholar.bsky.social) 's November 2025 Director's Letter is here! 🍁
In the midst of a climate crisis, she discusses Americans' diminishing faith in corporations' climate promises and the role media plays.
🔗 Read it here: tinyurl.com/mrxb6n4j
In the midst of a climate crisis, she discusses Americans' diminishing faith in corporations' climate promises and the role media plays.
🔗 Read it here: tinyurl.com/mrxb6n4j
Letter from the Director: November 2025 | Communication Research Center
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
CRC Director Michelle Amazeen (@commscholar.bsky.social) 's November 2025 Director's Letter is here! 🍁
In the midst of a climate crisis, she discusses Americans' diminishing faith in corporations' climate promises and the role media plays.
🔗 Read it here: tinyurl.com/mrxb6n4j
In the midst of a climate crisis, she discusses Americans' diminishing faith in corporations' climate promises and the role media plays.
🔗 Read it here: tinyurl.com/mrxb6n4j
The latest CRC x IPSOS survey finds that Americans’ trust in corporations to tackle climate change is declining.
Only 48% believed that “corporate initiatives to address climate change will make a difference,” - a big drop from the 60% backing the statement in 2022
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/52j2a6mt
Only 48% believed that “corporate initiatives to address climate change will make a difference,” - a big drop from the 60% backing the statement in 2022
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/52j2a6mt
Falling confidence that American businesses will help stop climate change, survey says
Americans’ understanding of the problem of climate change hasn’t changed, but their faith in corporations’ promises to address the issue…
tinyurl.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The latest CRC x IPSOS survey finds that Americans’ trust in corporations to tackle climate change is declining.
Only 48% believed that “corporate initiatives to address climate change will make a difference,” - a big drop from the 60% backing the statement in 2022
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/52j2a6mt
Only 48% believed that “corporate initiatives to address climate change will make a difference,” - a big drop from the 60% backing the statement in 2022
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/52j2a6mt
In her October 2025 Director's Letter, Michelle Amazeen
@commscholar.bsky.social shares the findings of a CRC survey concerning First Amendment protections against government censorship in private media.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/y7xpjpyd
@commscholar.bsky.social shares the findings of a CRC survey concerning First Amendment protections against government censorship in private media.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/y7xpjpyd
Letter from the Director: October 2025 | Communication Research Center
tinyurl.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
In her October 2025 Director's Letter, Michelle Amazeen
@commscholar.bsky.social shares the findings of a CRC survey concerning First Amendment protections against government censorship in private media.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/y7xpjpyd
@commscholar.bsky.social shares the findings of a CRC survey concerning First Amendment protections against government censorship in private media.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/y7xpjpyd
Reposted by Communication Research Center
Calling all 18-24 year-olds in Boston! 📢 Join our study on young adults’ media habits at @comatbu.bsky.social @bucomresearch.bsky.social. Your insights matter! See below to learn more & sign up. Please share with friends! #Boston #Research #MediaStudy
October 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Calling all 18-24 year-olds in Boston! 📢 Join our study on young adults’ media habits at @comatbu.bsky.social @bucomresearch.bsky.social. Your insights matter! See below to learn more & sign up. Please share with friends! #Boston #Research #MediaStudy
Reposted by Communication Research Center
In my October Director's Letter from @bucomresearch.bsky.social, I talk with Drs. @tvbookstvbooks.bsky.social & @morganweiland.bsky.social about public views on navigating governmental pressure, protecting free speech, and the future of media freedom.
#FirstAmendment
sites.bu.edu/crc/2025/10/...
#FirstAmendment
sites.bu.edu/crc/2025/10/...
October 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
In my October Director's Letter from @bucomresearch.bsky.social, I talk with Drs. @tvbookstvbooks.bsky.social & @morganweiland.bsky.social about public views on navigating governmental pressure, protecting free speech, and the future of media freedom.
#FirstAmendment
sites.bu.edu/crc/2025/10/...
#FirstAmendment
sites.bu.edu/crc/2025/10/...
This interview with @katycoduto.bsky.social explores the adverse psychological effects true crime and compulsive social media usage has on consumers.
"You’re getting people who are saying, 'I literally can’t help but post and engage'", observes Prof. Coduto.
Read here: tinyurl.com/ms7uc4ym
"You’re getting people who are saying, 'I literally can’t help but post and engage'", observes Prof. Coduto.
Read here: tinyurl.com/ms7uc4ym
Is Following True Crime Bad for Your Well-Being?
Researcher Kathryn D. Coduto has studied why it’s hard to disconnect from cases like those of Karen Read or Gabby Petito.
tinyurl.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This interview with @katycoduto.bsky.social explores the adverse psychological effects true crime and compulsive social media usage has on consumers.
"You’re getting people who are saying, 'I literally can’t help but post and engage'", observes Prof. Coduto.
Read here: tinyurl.com/ms7uc4ym
"You’re getting people who are saying, 'I literally can’t help but post and engage'", observes Prof. Coduto.
Read here: tinyurl.com/ms7uc4ym
Trump has utilized recent A.I advancements and the meme-based online political landscape to boost his media presence.
According to @commscholar.bsky.social, “He’s a master media manipulator, going way back...and it gives the illusion that this is the way things are now.”
tinyurl.com/y2dhfj23
According to @commscholar.bsky.social, “He’s a master media manipulator, going way back...and it gives the illusion that this is the way things are now.”
tinyurl.com/y2dhfj23
On Truth Social, Trump has embraced AI media to attack foes and boost his image
The president has posted dozens of pieces of synthetic media, including deepfakes, since he returned to the White House in January, according to an NBC News review.
tinyurl.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Trump has utilized recent A.I advancements and the meme-based online political landscape to boost his media presence.
According to @commscholar.bsky.social, “He’s a master media manipulator, going way back...and it gives the illusion that this is the way things are now.”
tinyurl.com/y2dhfj23
According to @commscholar.bsky.social, “He’s a master media manipulator, going way back...and it gives the illusion that this is the way things are now.”
tinyurl.com/y2dhfj23
The CRC's latest survey finds that government censorship of mass media is largely opposed by bipartisan majorities. 🎤
73% of Americans across political lines agree the First Amendment should protect media companies and talk show hosts from government censorship.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/563xjvke
73% of Americans across political lines agree the First Amendment should protect media companies and talk show hosts from government censorship.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/563xjvke
Large, bipartisan majorities oppose government censorship of talk show hosts, media companies, survey finds
Almost three out of four Americans (73%) across political lines agree that the First Amendment should protect private speakers, like…
tinyurl.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The CRC's latest survey finds that government censorship of mass media is largely opposed by bipartisan majorities. 🎤
73% of Americans across political lines agree the First Amendment should protect media companies and talk show hosts from government censorship.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/563xjvke
73% of Americans across political lines agree the First Amendment should protect media companies and talk show hosts from government censorship.
Read it here 👉 tinyurl.com/563xjvke
@commscholar.bsky.social's CRC x Ipsos survey discovers a vast majority of Americans support regulations for "deepfakes".
Over 84% of participants agreed individuals should be protected from the unauthorized use of their voice and visual likeness in media.
🔗Full article here: tinyurl.com/3ud5sysu
Over 84% of participants agreed individuals should be protected from the unauthorized use of their voice and visual likeness in media.
🔗Full article here: tinyurl.com/3ud5sysu
Big margins support protections against AI-powered “deepfakes” on social media, survey finds
An overwhelming majority of Americans across the political spectrum support protections against “deepfakes” in media that use a person’s voice…
tinyurl.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
@commscholar.bsky.social's CRC x Ipsos survey discovers a vast majority of Americans support regulations for "deepfakes".
Over 84% of participants agreed individuals should be protected from the unauthorized use of their voice and visual likeness in media.
🔗Full article here: tinyurl.com/3ud5sysu
Over 84% of participants agreed individuals should be protected from the unauthorized use of their voice and visual likeness in media.
🔗Full article here: tinyurl.com/3ud5sysu
✨ Tune in to Dr. Michael G. Elasmar's Colloquim Series Lecture this Wednesday, September 24th at 3:30pm in COM 101!
In his lecture, Dr. Elasmar will present an AI-assisted methodology that aims to quantify validity for social media text expressions.
RSVP here! 👉 forms.gle/9pzn8NdErgm6...
In his lecture, Dr. Elasmar will present an AI-assisted methodology that aims to quantify validity for social media text expressions.
RSVP here! 👉 forms.gle/9pzn8NdErgm6...
Looking forward to welcoming Dr. Michael G. Elasmar as the September Colloquium Speaker @bucomresearch.bsky.social @comatbu.bsky.social on Wednesday, September 24th at 3:30.
September 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
✨ Tune in to Dr. Michael G. Elasmar's Colloquim Series Lecture this Wednesday, September 24th at 3:30pm in COM 101!
In his lecture, Dr. Elasmar will present an AI-assisted methodology that aims to quantify validity for social media text expressions.
RSVP here! 👉 forms.gle/9pzn8NdErgm6...
In his lecture, Dr. Elasmar will present an AI-assisted methodology that aims to quantify validity for social media text expressions.
RSVP here! 👉 forms.gle/9pzn8NdErgm6...
Check out this piece about ‘The COMversation’ Podcast:
Prof. Howell sits down to talk about the evolution of the CRC podcast and how her brainchild became a reality, showing us that The COMversation is more than just a conversation.
🔗 Read it here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
Prof. Howell sits down to talk about the evolution of the CRC podcast and how her brainchild became a reality, showing us that The COMversation is more than just a conversation.
🔗 Read it here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
Healthy COM-versation
Charlotte Howell has always watched a lot of television, both because she loves it and because it’s her job. The…
www.bu.edu
September 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Check out this piece about ‘The COMversation’ Podcast:
Prof. Howell sits down to talk about the evolution of the CRC podcast and how her brainchild became a reality, showing us that The COMversation is more than just a conversation.
🔗 Read it here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
Prof. Howell sits down to talk about the evolution of the CRC podcast and how her brainchild became a reality, showing us that The COMversation is more than just a conversation.
🔗 Read it here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
The September 2025 Director's Letter from Director Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social is out! 🍂
Including a lineup of colloquium talks, COM networking & research training opportunities, a continuing public opinion poll, podcast announcements, and more.
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/2v362866
Including a lineup of colloquium talks, COM networking & research training opportunities, a continuing public opinion poll, podcast announcements, and more.
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/2v362866
Letter from the Director: September 2025 | Communication Research Center
tinyurl.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The September 2025 Director's Letter from Director Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social is out! 🍂
Including a lineup of colloquium talks, COM networking & research training opportunities, a continuing public opinion poll, podcast announcements, and more.
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/2v362866
Including a lineup of colloquium talks, COM networking & research training opportunities, a continuing public opinion poll, podcast announcements, and more.
Read here 👉 tinyurl.com/2v362866
🎉 Congrats to Cen 'April' Yue, Ph.D on winning the 2024 Karen Russell Award for Most Downloaded Article in JPRR for “Public Relations Meets Artificial Intelligence [...].”
This is well-deserved recognition for your impactful work, April!
More here 👉
This is well-deserved recognition for your impactful work, April!
More here 👉
I’m deeply honored to receive the 2024 Karen Russell Award for the Most Downloaded Article in the Journal of Public Relations Research! | April Cen Yue, Ph.D. | 27 comments
I’m deeply honored to receive the 2024 Karen Russell Award for the Most Downloaded Article in the Journal of Public Relations Research!
Huge thanks to my amazing co-authors Rita, Donna, Renee, Alvin, and Ahmed, and to Karen, Dr. Juan Meng, Sung-Un, and Nick for this recognition, and to the PR research community for engaging with and sharing our work! | 27 comments on LinkedIn
tinyurl.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
🎉 Congrats to Cen 'April' Yue, Ph.D on winning the 2024 Karen Russell Award for Most Downloaded Article in JPRR for “Public Relations Meets Artificial Intelligence [...].”
This is well-deserved recognition for your impactful work, April!
More here 👉
This is well-deserved recognition for your impactful work, April!
More here 👉
In her August Letter to the Director, @commscholar.bsky.social warns of rising threats to democracy, from book bans to climate denial. She reaffirms the CRC’s commitment to research that defends evidence and the public’s right to know.
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/ybdsdh8v
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/ybdsdh8v
LinkedIn
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August 12, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In her August Letter to the Director, @commscholar.bsky.social warns of rising threats to democracy, from book bans to climate denial. She reaffirms the CRC’s commitment to research that defends evidence and the public’s right to know.
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/ybdsdh8v
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/ybdsdh8v
In the early days, there were whispers of a site called 4chan. A fringe site: a hive of dangerous beliefs & volitility. However, that place is now ‘X’; its place in the MAGA-Trump feud is indisputable. “X is ground zero for a lot of what’s going on,” says @bostonjoan.bsky.social tinyurl.com/9as9nu8p
How X is fueling the MAGA-Trump split
tinyurl.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
In the early days, there were whispers of a site called 4chan. A fringe site: a hive of dangerous beliefs & volitility. However, that place is now ‘X’; its place in the MAGA-Trump feud is indisputable. “X is ground zero for a lot of what’s going on,” says @bostonjoan.bsky.social tinyurl.com/9as9nu8p
🗳️Gen-Z candidate Deja Foxx is being called an “influencer,” but that’s not giving her a fair shake. @katycoduto.bsky.social frames this phenomenon strategically. It’s not accurate to call Foxx an influencer; instead, she’s building local momentum on national platforms.
tinyurl.com/3tycdyva
tinyurl.com/3tycdyva
They’re calling her an influencer. She’s calling it campaign strategy.
18,000 individual donors, Instagram and TikTok views have kept Deja Foxx — a once longshot Gen Z candidate — competitive in the race for a congressional seat in Arizona.
tinyurl.com
July 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM
🗳️Gen-Z candidate Deja Foxx is being called an “influencer,” but that’s not giving her a fair shake. @katycoduto.bsky.social frames this phenomenon strategically. It’s not accurate to call Foxx an influencer; instead, she’s building local momentum on national platforms.
tinyurl.com/3tycdyva
tinyurl.com/3tycdyva
🤖 “It’s almost like we never even spoke,” says a Bumble user, when reality fell short & he found himself resentful of the AI his match likely used.
@katycoduto.bsky.social writes that, when swiping, we want to be sure they’re showing their true self.
tinyurl.com/ye29yj44
@katycoduto.bsky.social writes that, when swiping, we want to be sure they’re showing their true self.
tinyurl.com/ye29yj44
July 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
🤖 “It’s almost like we never even spoke,” says a Bumble user, when reality fell short & he found himself resentful of the AI his match likely used.
@katycoduto.bsky.social writes that, when swiping, we want to be sure they’re showing their true self.
tinyurl.com/ye29yj44
@katycoduto.bsky.social writes that, when swiping, we want to be sure they’re showing their true self.
tinyurl.com/ye29yj44
🐝 With Bumble laying off over 1/3 of their workforce, the dating app burnout is threatening these companies. @katycoduto.bsky.social weighs in "I think they're kind of trying to steamroll through this technology fatigue [...], and they're going to burn people out more."
tinyurl.com/2y4fk5ma
tinyurl.com/2y4fk5ma
July 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🐝 With Bumble laying off over 1/3 of their workforce, the dating app burnout is threatening these companies. @katycoduto.bsky.social weighs in "I think they're kind of trying to steamroll through this technology fatigue [...], and they're going to burn people out more."
tinyurl.com/2y4fk5ma
tinyurl.com/2y4fk5ma
🥳 Please join us in giving a warm welcome to COM’s newest tenure-track faculty! We’re thrilled to welcome Xiaoya Jiang, Susanna S. Lee, @morganweiland.bsky.social, Jing Yang (MC/AD/PR), and @baldwin-j-a.bsky.social (Emerging Media Studies) to the CRC community! 👋
tinyurl.com/3s56dh9x
tinyurl.com/3s56dh9x
On behalf of the Communication Research Center, we're thrilled to welcome our newest tenure-track faculty to the Boston University College of Communication: Xiaoya Jiang, Susanna S. | Communication Research Center at Boston University
On behalf of the Communication Research Center, we're thrilled to welcome our newest tenure-track faculty to the Boston University College of Communication: Xiaoya Jiang, Susanna S. Lee, Morgan Weiland, and JING YANG, joining the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising & Public Relations, and Joshua Baldwin, joining the Division of Emerging Media Studies.
We’re so excited to have these accomplished scholars as part of our community. We look forward to supporting your work and collaborating in the semesters ahead! 👋
tinyurl.com
July 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
🥳 Please join us in giving a warm welcome to COM’s newest tenure-track faculty! We’re thrilled to welcome Xiaoya Jiang, Susanna S. Lee, @morganweiland.bsky.social, Jing Yang (MC/AD/PR), and @baldwin-j-a.bsky.social (Emerging Media Studies) to the CRC community! 👋
tinyurl.com/3s56dh9x
tinyurl.com/3s56dh9x
🎙️ The Season 1 finale of The COMversation is here! In “Our Relationship w/ AI,” guests Prof. Wallace & @katycoduto.bsky.social explore how, through the @bucomresearch.bsky.social's 2024 Faculty Seed Grant, people are forming emotional bonds w/ AI like ChatGPT.
🎧 Listen now!
tinyurl.com/3ucev8dt
🎧 Listen now!
tinyurl.com/3ucev8dt
Our Relationship with AI
The COMversation · Episode
tinyurl.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🎙️ The Season 1 finale of The COMversation is here! In “Our Relationship w/ AI,” guests Prof. Wallace & @katycoduto.bsky.social explore how, through the @bucomresearch.bsky.social's 2024 Faculty Seed Grant, people are forming emotional bonds w/ AI like ChatGPT.
🎧 Listen now!
tinyurl.com/3ucev8dt
🎧 Listen now!
tinyurl.com/3ucev8dt
Congratulations to @commscholar.bsky.social, @arunimakrishna.bsky.social, and Dr. Su for winning one of the Top Faculty Paper Awards at AEJMC! 🎉🎉
Their paper is titled, “Apprehensive or Motivational Threat? [...]” and was sponsored by a grant from the Rita Allen Foundation.
Their paper is titled, “Apprehensive or Motivational Threat? [...]” and was sponsored by a grant from the Rita Allen Foundation.
June 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Congratulations to @commscholar.bsky.social, @arunimakrishna.bsky.social, and Dr. Su for winning one of the Top Faculty Paper Awards at AEJMC! 🎉🎉
Their paper is titled, “Apprehensive or Motivational Threat? [...]” and was sponsored by a grant from the Rita Allen Foundation.
Their paper is titled, “Apprehensive or Motivational Threat? [...]” and was sponsored by a grant from the Rita Allen Foundation.
🧠💔 @katycoduto.bsky.social's survey in collaboration with CRC x Ipsos finds that than twice as many people disagree that AI in dating apps leads to better relationships.
Only 10% of women agree, compared to 20% of men.
📰 Read more here: tinyurl.com/39hr3ebf
#DatingApps #BUCRC
⸻
Only 10% of women agree, compared to 20% of men.
📰 Read more here: tinyurl.com/39hr3ebf
#DatingApps #BUCRC
⸻
June 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
🧠💔 @katycoduto.bsky.social's survey in collaboration with CRC x Ipsos finds that than twice as many people disagree that AI in dating apps leads to better relationships.
Only 10% of women agree, compared to 20% of men.
📰 Read more here: tinyurl.com/39hr3ebf
#DatingApps #BUCRC
⸻
Only 10% of women agree, compared to 20% of men.
📰 Read more here: tinyurl.com/39hr3ebf
#DatingApps #BUCRC
⸻
🎬 #ScreentimeBU 2025 showcased program-long research by @comatbu.bsky.social's Emerging Media Studies & Media Science grads, with support from the CRC.
👏 Big thanks to @commscholar.bsky.social & Dr. Grabe, and congrats to all our wonderful students, there's no COM without you! #COMmunity
👏 Big thanks to @commscholar.bsky.social & Dr. Grabe, and congrats to all our wonderful students, there's no COM without you! #COMmunity
June 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
🎬 #ScreentimeBU 2025 showcased program-long research by @comatbu.bsky.social's Emerging Media Studies & Media Science grads, with support from the CRC.
👏 Big thanks to @commscholar.bsky.social & Dr. Grabe, and congrats to all our wonderful students, there's no COM without you! #COMmunity
👏 Big thanks to @commscholar.bsky.social & Dr. Grabe, and congrats to all our wonderful students, there's no COM without you! #COMmunity
As the Communication Research Center turns 66, @commscholar.bsky.social reflects, in her June Letter to the Director, on our legacy and the urgency of communication research in an AI-driven and fractured media landscape.
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/6bvu4msv
#BUCRC #CommunicationResearch
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/6bvu4msv
#BUCRC #CommunicationResearch
June 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
As the Communication Research Center turns 66, @commscholar.bsky.social reflects, in her June Letter to the Director, on our legacy and the urgency of communication research in an AI-driven and fractured media landscape.
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/6bvu4msv
#BUCRC #CommunicationResearch
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/6bvu4msv
#BUCRC #CommunicationResearch