Digital Commons Network^™

Why We Must Commune: Rethinking The Role Of Marketing Communications In Turbulent Times, Javier Garcia

Publications and Research

“Communications” is often thought of as a noun, representing the messages we receive on a daily basis from people, brands, and institutions alike. 

"Communications" is also often associated with an industry that exists to produce such messaging in service of capitalism, with a commercial or otherwise actionable outcome desired from its receiving audience. 

This presentation, hosted by two-time CCNY graduate and senior marketing communications professional and Assistant Professor Javier Garcia, will examine the urgency and opportunity in rethinking the value and study of marketing and communications. 

In his presentation, Professor Garcia will offer suggestions on how to guide students towards …

Improving Stakeholder Communications Practices: A Quantitative Study On The Relational Communication Between Clinical Research Coordinators And Research, Oreofeoluwa F. Adeniji

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Communication plays an essential part in the responsibilities of the clinical research coordinator’s position. Challenges in communicating with stakeholders during clinical trials can disrupt the study timeline, its outcomes, and the success of the trial. Clinical research coordinators often experience these challenges when interacting with internal stakeholders, such as principal investigators, and external stakeholders, including sponsors. This quantitative correlational study will examine whether clinical research coordinators can utilize project management communication practices to improve their stakeholder interactions. Data from 32 clinical research coordinators will be collected using SurveyMonkey and analyzed. The study results will fill gaps in the literature on …

Trusted Forms—The Case Of Barack Obama’S Birth Certificate, Karl-Heinrich Schmidt, Frederik Schlupkothen

Proceedings from the Document Academy

Documents can be understood as containers for information that enable remote communication between people across space and time. They are therefore fundamentally subject to issues of trust. The theoretical treatment of documents as a means of remote communication has a long history and has arrived in the age of electronic document exchange, as shown by the work of R. T. Pédauque, which is taken as a starting point here.

To take theory further, form-based documents are discussed here as an example. Form-based documents control the information provided by fillers by specifying form fields. The core of this paper is to …

Cerebral Documents And Algorithmic Sensemaking: Searching For Expressions In Human And Artificial Cognitive Collaborations, Rebekah L. Cowell

Proceedings from the Document Academy

Generative Artificial Intelligences (AIs) and current advanced large language models (LLMs) are algorithmically designed to generate text-based conversations as conversational agents (CAs), by replicating human language and conversational communication. Pairing human cognition with generative computationally coded cognition. We have never been here before: cerebral and artificial information collaborations and processing producing expressions that may or may not become visible as second-hand/secondary source documents.

Sensemaking or sense(un)making is a unique autonomous human drive cognitively, our information processing is sensemaking in action and expressions and articulations are evidence of the sensemaking cycle. Documentation [expressed or articulated through various mediums] are a product …

The Disproportionate Impact Of Hiv On Young Women In Durban: Exploring Gendered Vulnerabilities And Socioeconomic Barriers, Adrian A. Nolasco

Capstone Collection

South Africa has a high rate of HIV, with young women in Durban especially affected due to social, economic, and cultural challenges. This study looks at the experiences of young women living with HIV and the views of healthcare professionals caring for them in KwaZulu-Natal. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women and three medical professionals to explore how HIV affects their lives, the challenges they face, and how they cope.

The findings show that both structural and personal barriers make it hard for young women to stick to treatment. Long waits at clinics, limited …

Understanding Perceptions Of A Peruvian Local Market Program: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Rosmery Ramos-Sandoval Dr., Jano Ramos-Diaz

The Qualitative Report

Despite growing global interest in short food supply chains (SFSCs), little is known about how consumers in developing countries perceive these models, especially through digital platforms like social media. This study investigates how Twitter users represent and perceive SFSCs in the context of the Peruvian government´s “De la Chacra a la Olla” program. The study analyzed 1,167 tweets from Peruvian Twitter users referencing the hashtag #DeLaChacraALaOlla between 2014 and 2020, using reflexive thematic analysis within an exploratory case study framework to examine consumer perceptions of SFSCs. The analysis revealed three key themes in consumer perceptions of SFSCs on Twitter: direct …

Disconnected Connection, Dyane L. O'Leary

Arkansas Law Review

Lawyering is a human experience in a digital world. Lawyers have long derived pride from labels like personal counselor, trusted advisor, and steady confidant. Sure, sometimes a productized legal service or one-off Turbo-Tax-style filing is all a client needs. But it’s still a people profession, the lifeblood of which is connection with others: clients, colleagues, witnesses, and countless more. Calls for attention to lawyers’ so-called “soft” skills have grown louder in recent years, tagged with descriptors like “people” or “business” or “professional” skills. Modern communication tools facilitate connection and relationship building like never before. But that which connects us threatens …

The Impact Of Violent Content Media Exposure On Behavioral Outcomes: The Mediating Role Of Media Engagement, Melissia Emad Eskander

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how repeated exposure to violent content in films, television series, and video games may influence behavioral outcomes among Egyptian media consumers. Drawing on the General Aggression Model, Social Learning Theory, and Cultivation Theory, it examines how individual interpretation, emotional involvement, and narrative absorption mediate the effects of media violence. It also considers how personality traits shape audience responses, specifically aggression, empathy, and narrative immersion.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted. A structured survey of 200 Egyptians aged 18 and above assessed media exposure, aggression, empathy, narrative engagement, and behavioral outcomes. In parallel, a content analysis of Egyptian films …

Refugees In Egypt: State Framing, Ministerial Narratives, And The Politics Of Representation On Social Media, Habiba Kohail

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines Egyptian government discourse on refugees in 2024, a year characterized by heightened regional displacement and the enactment of Egypt’s first Asylum Law (Law No. 164 of

2024). Using a multidisciplinary framework that combines framing analysis with van Dijk's socio-cognitive approach, the study systemically analyzes how the government construct refugees on social

media and sets the boundaries of their inclusion in Egypt.

The thesis analyzes the Egyptian government discourse on refugees across official social media platforms from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, a period that witnessed an increase in the government engagement in the refugee issue …

Post-Pandemic Social Distance: A Qualitative Study Of Communication Barriers In Post-Pandemic Education, Stephen Everett Ford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigates communication barriers in post-pandemic rural K-12 education, emphasizing how the shift from traditional classrooms to COVID-19 virtual environments altered interactions among teachers, students, parents, and administrators. The literature review draws on transactional distance theory and computer-mediated communication, supported by related theories addressing digital inequality, communicative noise, and classroom norm breakdowns. Research questions focus on (1) differences between pre- and post-pandemic education, (2) comparative quality of virtual versus face-to-face learning, and (3) whether teachers feel supported by administration and the board of education. Methods include a qualitative case study of five rural Oklahoma districts (C, 2A, 3A, …

Hashtags And Hypotheses: Social Media’S Effect On College Students’ Perception Of Science, Ohemaa Koranteng

CAFE Symposium 2026

This project examines how social media influences college students’ perceptions of science and scientific information. As social media has become a primary source of news for many students, it has also increased exposure to misinformation, potentially affecting trust in science. Using a convenience sample approved by the Gettysburg College IRB, data were collected through a Google Forms survey distributed to four student groups on campus. Responses from 62 students were analyzed using Google Sheets. Results show that a majority of students rely on social media for news consumption, with many spending several hours per day on these platforms. While students …

Exploring The Efficacy Of Storytelling In Education About Climate Change, Nina Adjanin, Srijana Katuwal, Heidi Sevestre, Gordon Brooks

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

From bedtime tales to digital narratives, stories wield unparalleled influence, shaping perceptions, and fostering empathy. Through mediums like social media and digital platforms, storytelling becomes a tool for advocacy, amplifying voices, and catalyzing social change. In this qualitative study, 107 higher education students from diverse backgrounds participated. The purpose of this study was to uncover salient beliefs about climate change stories on popular social media platforms among full-time college students. The results are based on three key components of the theory of planned behavior (TPB): affective beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs. The respondents expressed both positive and negative attitudes …

Conversation Peace

DePaul Magazine

DePaul University’s Dialogue Collaborative is a campus-wide initiative that creates space for reflection, rearticulates purpose, and builds capacity for respectful engagement across roles and disciplines.

Cybersecurity In Higher Education Institutions: Awareness, Policy, And Experience On Employee Behaviour, Abdullahi Abiodun Yusuf, Adriana A. Steyn

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The digital transformation of higher education institutions (HEIs) has introduced unprecedented connectivity and operational efficiency, but it has also heightened their exposure to cyber threats. South African HEIs, in particular, face increasing vulnerability due to their reliance on technology, openness, and diverse user communities. This study examines the influence of the institutional cybersecurity environment on employee cybersecurity-compliant behaviour (CCB), emphasising the critical roles of awareness, policy engagement, and experience. Drawing on Protection Motivation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a conceptual model was developed to explore how cybersecurity awareness, policy familiarity, and prior experience shape employees’ attitudes, subjective norms, …

Clinical Practice Guideline For Structured Communication In A Pediatric Outpatient Psychiatry, Stella Uzoamaka Ihesiaba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project focused on developing and evaluating a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to address the lack of standardized interdisciplinary communication between psychologists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in a pediatric outpatient psychiatric setting. Inconsistent communication practices, including informal conversations, delayed documentation, and unstructured messaging, contributed to fragmented care and inefficient treatment coordination. To address this gap, an evidence-based, structured communication framework was developed to guide interdisciplinary collaboration. The guideline was developed using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and supported by a review of 14 evidence sources spanning Levels I to V of the literature. A four-member …

The Normal Gem, November 1889, Vol. Ii, No. 2, Florence State Normal School

Documents

Two pages of the November 1889 edition of The Normal Gem newspaper.

The Normal Gem: A Monthly Journal Devoted to the Interest of Education in Alabama existed as one of the University of North Alabama’s earliest student news publications. The publication derives its name from the university’s designation as the Florence State Normal School, the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River, which existed from 1872 through 1928 until the name was once again changed to Florence State College. The newspapers within the collection feature reflections on student life and education from October of 1889 through November of …

Malaysia’S Social Media And Virtual Communities: Investigating Digital Engagement, Social Problem Management, And Economic Mobility, Muhammad Ridhwan Sarifin, Nur Hafizah Yusoff, Muhamad Hariz Muhamad Adnan

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

This study explores the evolving role of social media in shaping users’ digital engagement, social problem management, psychological well-being, and economic mobility in Malaysia. A total of 374 respondents participated in an online survey, selected using purposive sampling to capture active users across diverse age, income, and educational backgrounds. The study employed a structured questionnaire with Likert-scale items to evaluate perceptions of virtual community participation. Linear regression and moderation analysis were conducted to determine how social media usage predicts social issue management, emotional and social needs fulfillment, and economic opportunity access. Digital literacy was tested as a moderator between social …

The Normal Gem, N.D., 1889, Florence State Normal School

Documents

Four pages of an unknown month in 1889 edition of The Normal Gem newspaper.

The Normal Gem: A Monthly Journal Devoted to the Interest of Education in Alabama existed as one of the University of North Alabama’s earliest student news publications. The publication derives its name from the university’s designation as the Florence State Normal School, the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River, which existed from 1872 through 1928 until the name was once again changed to Florence State College. The newspapers within the collection feature reflections on student life and education from October of 1889 through …

The Normal Gem, November 1891, Vol. Iv, No. 2, Florence State Normal School

Documents

Four pages of the November 1891 edition of The Normal Gem newspaper.

The Normal Gem: A Monthly Journal Devoted to the Interest of Education in Alabama existed as one of the University of North Alabama’s earliest student news publications. The publication derives its name from the university’s designation as the Florence State Normal School, the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River, which existed from 1872 through 1928 until the name was once again changed to Florence State College. The newspapers within the collection feature reflections on student life and education from October of 1889 through November of …

The Normal Gem, December 1889, Vol. Ii, No.3, Florence State Normal School

Documents

Four pages of the December 1889 edition of The Normal Gem newspaper.

The Normal Gem: A Monthly Journal Devoted to the Interest of Education in Alabama existed as one of the University of North Alabama’s earliest student news publications. The publication derives its name from the university’s designation as the Florence State Normal School, the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River, which existed from 1872 through 1928 until the name was once again changed to Florence State College. The newspapers within the collection feature reflections on student life and education from October of 1889 through November of …

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 6, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 13 - February 5, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 13 - February 5, 2026. 20 pages.

Lindenwood Digest, February 4, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Primary Figures: James Hutson; Colleen Biri; Mike Marzano; Ronda Cypret-Mahach; Meredith Marsh; Jessica Loyd; Lilliann Cheek; Kay DeKock; Michiko Nohara-LeClair; Esther Murphy; Jarret Brueck; Tim McNamee; Katie Long; Brad Hansen; Kim Diehl de Yanes.

• Key Events: The university issued a call for five faculty award nominations; four academic programs launched a pilot for AI and Emerging Technology Literacy; the "Lions Living Well" wellness program transitioned to the myHC360+ platform; researchers initiated recruitment for a probiotic gut health study and a gender perception study; the LARC opened a 250th American independence anniversary book display. 

• Date/Location: February 4, 2026; …

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Empowering Rural Voices Through Deliberative Mini-Publics, Elizabeth B. Hinchcliff

The Rural Educator

This conceptual paper explores the tension between valuing and listening to community voices, while also providing a space wherein rural advocates and community members can come together to address difficult issues prevalent within rural schooling, through deliberative mini-publics. A multiplicity of reasons supports deliberative mini-publics, but I explore three in particular, the first being that they provide a space wherein an intentionally diverse set of community voices and perspectives can be shared, listened to, and explored. Second, the goal of any democratically deliberative space is to explore multiple perspectives as part of the process to seek solutions that contribute to …

Motherly Love: A Critical Autoethnography On Identity Formation Through Mental Illness In Maternal Bonds, Ellie E. Monge

Communication Studies

This critical autoethnography is an examination of my personal narrative on how growing up with a mother with mental illness formed my identity as a woman, and as a daughter. I utilize the lens of communication scholarship to understand the effects that this interpersonal relationship had on communication patterns, and ideology. Through personal, and societal analysis the discourse adds to how gendered expectations of womanhood, motherhood, family communication patterns, and dominant mental health rhetoric shape identity for daughters raised in the absence of maternal stability. I implore Family Systems Theory, Family Communication Patterns Theory, Muted Group Theory, and scholarship on …

Social Media Monitoring And The Admissions Process: A Study Of College Admissions Officers' Use Of Social Media In Undergraduate Application Review, Rachel Karpeles

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study explored the evolving role of social media in college admissions, focusing on the perceptions and practices of admissions professionals following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on Affirmative Action. The research, utilizing a descriptive design, employed a 31-question anonymous survey administered to a convenience sample of 532 admissions representatives. The findings directly contradict the public and media narrative by revealing a profound paradox: while social media monitoring is not a widespread professional practice, its impact on admissions outcomes for a notable portion of applicants is demonstrably significant.

The study found a majority of respondents believe evaluating applicants based …

A Word From The Writing Team (February 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

The National Security Internet, Anupam Chander

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

In response to widespread foreign surveillance and growing geopolitical distrust, governments are erecting a national security internet. Pioneered by China, national firewalls have gone global. But where firewalls sought to keep information out, they now seek to keep data in. Governments keen to avoid their citizens’ data from falling into foreign hands demand not only that personal data be stored on local servers, but also require that it be stored on local servers by local companies—what this Article calls “data localization squared.” Enforcing this demand requires a new mechanism of transnational control: immunity from foreign jurisdiction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, …

The Guardian The Month Of February 2026, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the Month of February 2026. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Bad Bunny’S Super Bowl Performance Generated 892.8% More Social Media Mentions Than Kid Rock’S Halftime Show With Triple The Search Interest, Jin-A Choi, Bond Benton, Yi Lou

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

A study from Montclair State University faculty in the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication in the College of Communication and Media analyzed social media reaction to the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny and Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock. Results suggest significantly higher interest online in Bad Bunny’s performance. Highlights from the study include 892.8% more posts on X about Bad Bunny’s halftime show performance with a 963.6% higher number of posts throughout Super Bowl Sunday. Additionally, there was triple the amount of search interest for “Bad …