The College of Communication & Information Sciences (C&IS) at The University of Alabama announces that Chandra Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of journalism and creative media, has been selected as one of 150 journalism leaders for the Center for Community News (CCN) at the University of Vermont’s 2026 class of Faculty Champions. The designation recognizes leadership…
Each year, communities across Alabama are faced with the possibility of water-related emergencies like floods, droughts, hurricanes and extreme storms. Before the public is alerted, there is work that goes into how information about natural disasters is distributed for optimal safety to those that could be affected. That is where someone like Travis Loof, Ph.D., comes into play. Loof is a social and communication scientist for the Cooperative Institute…
The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences (C&IS) continues to excel on the national stage, with two student projects named among the top 20 winners in the Hearst Multimedia Visual/Narrative Storytelling Competition. The recognition came from a competitive field of 97 entries representing 57 schools. In addition to the individual honors, UA ranked eighth out of 10 institutions for the highest…
McLure Library has been a familiar presence at The University of Alabama, serving students and faculty since 1925. But starting 50 years ago, conversations about reimagining and fully realizing the library’s potential resurfaced, shaped by shifting needs, advancing technology, and the evolving role of information studies. What existed functioned well, but the idea of what McLure could become remained. That long-awaited…
Transformative research rarely happens by itself. What begins with ideas, then can grow through collaboration, mentorship and connection. This spirit of interdisciplinary work is at the heart of The University of Alabama’s (UA) Transformative Human-centered Research for Impacting Vulnerabilities Everywhere (THRIVE) Initiative. Jihoon Kim, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, has been selected as one of only 10 faculty members across campus to serve as a 2025–2026 THRIVE Fellow. Housed within UA’s Institute…
When Jonathan Biles arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2013, he knew two things: he wanted to work in sports media, and he wasn’t afraid to take a different path to get there. While many of his peers built their resumes through The Crimson White, the University’s storied student newspaper, Biles stacked up multiple paid writing gigs, covering football, basketball, gymnastics and just about any other sport he could cover. …
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, C&IS hosted the Alabama Science Communication Initiative (ASCI) Summit, bringing together leading science communication experts from across the country for a day of discovery and collaboration. This summit reflects C&IS’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, advancing research and strengthening leadership in the communication field. Held at the Byrant Conference Center, communication leaders from various institutions across the country examined key questions shaping the science field. Each topic…
The College of Communication and Information Sciences (C&IS) continues to distinguish itself as a place where students experience opportunities with global impact. On Sept. 19, Alabama Public Radio (APR), stationed inside The University of Alabama’s Digital Media Center (DMC), welcomed its first State Department delegation. The event brought international voices and perspectives directly to campus. …
When Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes walked into her eye doctor’s office for a routine checkup, she expected the usual: a few uncomfortable flashes of light, the puff of air that startles the eye, perhaps the dilation drops that require sunglasses indoors for the rest of the day. Instead, she walked out with news that would…
To some, summer means a break from classes or a chance to reset; to others, it’s an opportunity to take on a short-term job. To College of Communication and Information Sciences (C&IS) students Aubri Wherry and Salome Montague, it meant transformation. Their summer in New York City offered mentorship, growth and a view of what…
