CARE to host renowned academics in its Applied Communication Lecture Series

As a precursor to the launch of the specialisation in Applied Communication under the Bachelor of Communication (BC), the lecture series will bring together leading academics from across the globe to discuss the role of applied communication research in addressing complex global challenges.

Director of CARE and former editor of the Journal of Applied Communication Research (JACR), Professor Mohan Dutta says, "The challenges we face as humanity today are fundamentally rooted in communication. I believe communication offers a powerful resource in bringing communities together and empowering them in leading transformational social change. You see this in the high demand for communication jobs across various sustainability spaces."

"Applied communication showcases the best of communication theory and research and engages with communities and communication practitioners in co-creating solutions that address the complex challenges presented under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. I am looking forward to engaging some of the key thinkers in this area as we grapple with the question 'What are the best practices of Applied Communication that can respond to contemporary global challenges such as climate change, hunger, poverty, good health and wellbeing, gender equality, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities and peace, justice and strong institutions.”

Professor Dutta’s introduction to the series can be found here:

The first Lecture in the series, titled Strategies for conducting Applied Communication Research that can make a difference will be delivered by Distinguished Professor Gary Kreps from George Mason University.

Professor Kreps teaches courses concerning communication research, health communication, risk communication, interpersonal communication, organisational communication, consumer-provider health communication, health communication campaigns and digital communication.

Prior to joining the faculty at George Mason University, he served as the founding chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) in the United States. Here, he planned, developed and coordinated major new national research and outreach initiatives concerning risk communication, health promotion, behavior change, technology development and information dissemination to promote effective cancer prevention, screening, control, care and survivorship.

Professor Kreps also served as the founding dean of the School of Communication at Hofstra University, Executive Director of the Greenspun School of Communication at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and in faculty and administrative roles at Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana and Purdue Universities.

The lecture series is scheduled to be held throughout the months of September through December 2024, leading to the launch of the specialisation in 2025.