Office of Politics, Communication, & Media

The Office of Politics, Communication, and Media (OPCaM) at the University of Alabama is an innovative hub for interdisciplinary research and public facing dialogue. Situated at the intersections of politics, communication, and media, and drawing from the expertise of faculty and students in the College of Communication & Information Sciences, other academic units at the university, and scholars, public intellectuals, and journalists around the world, OPCaM works to create civic and community engagement on regional, national, and international levels by connecting high-quality research with public conversations that shape and respond to the growing impacts and rapidly evolving role of politics, communication, and media in democratic and public life.

Visit the Office of Politics, Communication, & Media website here.

Directors: Dr. Cynthia Peacock, Dr. Jessica Maddox

Office of Research in Media Integrity

The Office of Research in Media Integrity seeks to be the home for systematic, innovative, and important research into media integrity and ethics. It will reach across media platforms, academic disciplines, methodologies, and ideologies. It will create new understanding of media integrity and communicate it effectively across academic and public platforms.

Director: Dr. Chris Roberts

Office of Research in Science and Risk Communication Management

The Office of Research in Science and Risk Communication Management is the research arm of the Alabama Science Communication Initiative that supports and promotes fundamental and applied research examining how organizations can better communicate about science and risks. The Office supports and promotes diverse epistemological, theoretical, and methodological perspectives serving as an incubator, facilitator, and promoter of research and grant activities related to science and risk communication management.

Director: Dr. Matthew VanDyke
Co-Director: Dr. Laura Lemon

Child Media Lab

The Child Media Lab within the Institute for Communication & Information Research is an engaging space for researchers to observe, interact, and study the reactions and responses of children to various forms of media. The space offers gaming equipment, monitors, desktop computers, room to move, and a view from our high-end observation room, allowing kids to engage in research studies while being viewed from the one-way mirror in the observation room.

Communication and Applied Theory Lab

The C&IS Human Communication Research Lab is a collaborative research space located in Reese Phifer Hall. This research lab allows faculty and students to discuss, plan, and conduct research related to communication. For more information on the Communication and Applied Theory Lab, contact Dr. Darrin Griffin.

Content Analysis Lab

The Content Analysis Lab within the Institute for Communication & Information Research allows researchers the opportunity to record and store live television content for later use in content analysis or for educational demonstrative purposes. This space and corresponding technology is located within the Public Opinion Lab.

Focus Group Lab

The Focus Group Lab within the Institute for Communication & Information Research offers researchers the chance to develop, learn, and grow their initiatives through a centralized location. Featuring a conference room style table, individuals can gather and discuss certain ideas and concepts in a casual and comfortable way. With special cameras and access to our high-end observation room, scholars can understand and develop their research through the input of others. The focus group lab is functional for very small groups or groups up to 12 people. The ICIR also offers focus group facilitators if needed.

Psychophysiology Lab

The Psychophysiology Lab within the Institute for Communication & Information Research allows scholars to study physiological responses to mediated content through our advanced technological equipment. Located within the Focus Group Lab, individuals utilizing this lab can also have access to our high-end observation room. This lab allows for the collection of EEG and skin conductance data for one individual at a time. This lab is technologically innovative and unique to research labs serve mass communication and communication scholars.

Public Opinion Lab

The Public Opinion Lab (POL) within the Institute for Communication & Information Research is an innovative space for gathering and exploring social media conversations, analyzing engagement, and identifying insights. With a mix of industry technology and academic tools, the POL is a space for scholars and students to do cutting-edge research in the social space. For more information on the Public Opinion Lab, contact Dr. Jameson Hayes.

Theater Lab

The Theater Lab within the Institute for Communication & Information Research is a lecture-style space with 24 desk space that allows researchers to distribute content, speak with participants, and display media on a larger scale for more participant viewing and engagement. This space can be used for the ICIR’s portable continuous response equipment or for town hall-type settings.

Health Communication Lab

The UA Health Communication Lab examines questions such as how technology improves nutritional knowledge and exercise, how mass media mitigates the stigma attached to illnesses, and how media can be used to improve health.