Communication Commons^™

Worlds Within A City: How Duke University’S Setting Constructs Institutional Identity, Comeh Emuobor

Comm-entary

Comeh is a junior communication major from Durham, North Carolina. He is also a guard on the UNH Basketball team.

his piece explores how Duke university’s campus setting shapes its public image and institutional identity. It explains how the university’s landscaping, architecture, Chapel, interior and exterior spaces, and controlled access create an atmosphere of prestige, tradition, exclusivity, and academic authority. Furthermore, this essay shows how Duke’s physical environment separates it from the surrounding city and functions as a powerful public relations tool.

A Brief Analysis Of Setting, Rebecca Colby

Comm-entary

Rebecca Colby is a sophomore Communication student. She is originally from Littleton, NH, a small town nestled above the White Mountains. Rebecca is a staff writer and editor for The New Hampshire student newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and birding.

This piece examines how the setting of North Country climbing center reflects the organizations casual, welcoming, and community focused identity. It describes the Jim’s hidden location, flexible layout, movable seating, climbing spaces, and relaxed atmosphere as parts of the space they encourage visitors to stay, connect, and climb with one another. This essay shows …

Current Situation, Problems, And Countermeasures Of Science And Technology Societies In China Under Global Technology Governance, Yangyang Li, Yaoyu Nie, Xiaoxiao Xiong, Guangxi He

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The “15th Five-Year Plan” period presents both opportunities and challenges for scientific and technological societies in China, meaning that they shall further refine their functional positioning beyond traditional academic exchanges and provide full-chain services. Since the reform and opening up, the development of science and technology societies in China has flourished, and their governance capacity has been continuously enhanced, playing a sustained role in gathering scientific and technological talent, participating in national and social governance, and driving multi-dimensional innovation. Nevertheless, there are also problems such as low management efficiency, insufficient integration into the national innovation system, and overall low level …

“I Hope This Letter Finds You Well,”: The Good Life Through Letters 1940s-1980s, Taylor Koet

Comm-entary

Taylor is majoring in History and Law 3+3 major with a double major in Philosophy, from Long Beach, CA. She loves to bake and try new coffee and boba spots.

This piece explores the importance of stationery and letter writing in maintaining family connection across distance and time. This essay uses the Sinclair family papers which show how letters from Clayton Sinclair junior and Clayton the third preserved relationships, personal growth, and created a tangible record of their family history. Ultimately this piece argues that even as technology has changed, handwritten letters represent effort, emotion, and a main connection as …

An Analysis Of Setting –State Theatre At Thompson’S Point, Ruby Prentiss

Comm-entary

Ruby Prentiss is a Sophomore History and Communication student from Falmouth, Maine who is Editor in Chief of Comm-entary. She also is a member of the University’s track and field team as a thrower. In her free time, Ruby enjoys fly fishing, spending time outdoors, and reading.

This piece analyzes Thompson’s point in Portland, Maine to be a meaningful community shaped by music, public gathering, and local history. It explains how the venues physical design, restored pavilion, local food trucks, waterfront location, affordable concerts, and free seasonal events reflect the value of the State Theater and the broader main community. …

Do We Even Know What ‘Even’ Does? A Ca Investigation, Emily Johnson

Comm-entary

Emily is a Senior communication major with a Business Administration minor. She is originally from Merrimack, NH, and is planning on working in PR or something similar when she graduates in May.

What does “even” do in conversation? This study shows that when used mid-turn, “even” functions as a systematic device for intensifying stance. Analyzing naturally occurring interactions, I demonstrate how speakers use “even” to upgrade assessments, noticings, and complaints, making them more extreme or noteworthy. Recipients consistently orient to this intensification through agreement, accounts, or escalation. Even when the upgrade is left incomplete, others step in to realize it, …

Encouraging Fitness For Women In United Kingdom- How This Girl Can Organization Tackled The Gender Activity Gap, Ruby Prentiss

Comm-entary

Ruby Prentiss is a Sophomore History and Communication student from Falmouth, Maine who is Editor in Chief of Comm-entary. She also is a member of the University’s track and field team as a thrower. In her free time, Ruby enjoys fly fishing, spending time outdoors, and reading.

This paper offers and analysis of the Sport England public relations campaign entitled This Girl Can, detailing the PR strategy of the organization and campaign from the initial market research to the post-campaign efficacy analysis. This Girl Can is examined using historical and cultural scholarly sources with a critical communication lens to prove …

Language Deprivation In Deaf Children, Kaleb Holske

Comm-entary

Kaleb is an American Sign Language English Interpreter with a double major in Linguistics, from Chester, NH. He’s also a professional balloon twister!

This piece examines how language deprivation affects deaf children when they don’t necessarily receive early access to natural language, especially during the most critical developmental years. It further explains how the medical model of deafness, reliance on cochlear implants or hearing aids, schooling, and limited sign language access can negatively impact the emotional, social, and academic growth of these children. This piece argues that early access to sign language and deaf centered support is essential for preventing …

Conventions Of Photography As Means Of Social And Technological Critiques, Ava Lannery

Comm-entary

Ava is a Communication major with a specification in Business Applications. She’s an Irish dual citizen from Newton, MA.

This piece looks  at how photography can be used as a form of Social and technological critique. Through Mark Peterson’s ICE’s Spectacle of Intimidation and Jack Latham’s Beggars Honey, this essay argues that photographers can manipulate composition, technology to create deeper meanings about power, style, social stage agency, immigration enforcement, and modern digital manipulation. Ultimately, this writing piece shows how photography depends on audience context and literacy to be fully understood. 

The Celebrity Fantasy: Digital Identity, Performance, And Catfish Deception, Erin L. Dutton

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This paper examines how celebrity fantasy shapes digital identity and contributes to vulnerability in catfishing scenarios. Using ideological criticism, this study analyzes two episodes of MTV’s Catfish involving celebrity impersonation to explore how digital spaces make it easy to perform a public persona. Research on online identity and parasocial relationships argues that people often feel close to celebrities and are drawn to the fantasy of being noticed by them. In these episodes, the fantasy becomes a tool for deception. Findings suggest that catfishers rely on celebrity tropes to gain appeal, while victims are pulled in by the thrill and validation …

How The Word ‘Fucking’ Constructs Emotional Stance In Conversation, Madeline Riechers

Comm-entary

Madeline Riechers is a Communication major at UNH set to graduate in 2026. She is originally from Dalton, Massachusetts, and plans to continue her education in Language and Social Interaction after graduating from UNH. She is a part of UNH GIVE, and is an editor at the Comm-entary!

This piece uses conversation analysis concepts to examine what the word ‘fucking’ does in everyday conversation and how it conveys the emotions and stance of the participants. It examines 4 real-life cases of ‘fucking’ being used, demonstrating how it changes the meaning of the utterance and therefore the course of the conversation.

Rural Community Perspectives On Hurricane Helene In Western North Carolina, Jennifer A. Horney, Lilly Moreau, Search Wnc

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: After making landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast in September 2024, Hurricane Helene impacted Western North Carolina (WNC) with historic flooding, landslides, and hurricane-force winds. More than 100 deaths in the region were attributed to the storm’s direct impacts.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess community perspectives of long-term recovery in Mitchell and Yancey Counties, two rural WNC counties severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Methods: A 14-question interview guide was developed based on prior disaster research and the community engagement work of Sustaining Essential and Rural Community Healthcare (SEARCH). Questions covered post-Helene experiences related to access …

Clustering Of Internet Behaviors And Associated Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adolescents, Aakansha Singh, Timothy Grigsby, Miguel Fudolig, Ying Guo, Clariana Ramos De Oliveira

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Poster: Clustering of Internet behaviors and associated mental health outcomes among U.S. adolescents

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 18 - April 16, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 18 - April 16, 2026. 20 pages.

The Laureate - An Undergraduate Literary Journal, Amelia Perleberg

Honors Theses

This thesis reflects on the editorial and publication process of the 24th edition of The Laureate, an undergraduate literary arts journal, during the 2025-2026 academic year. This thesis displays the role of editor-in-chief and examines the responsibilities, challenges, and personal growth that accompanied leading the journal. Through overseeing submissions, editing creative works, coordinating with the Design Center, and organizing the launch event, this thesis explores the collaborative and creative work required to produce a successful publication. The Laureate accepts a wide range of creative works, including poetry, fiction pieces, personal essays, photography, painting, scripts, etc. allowing undergraduate students to …

A Black Feminist Perspective On The Role Of Community Engaged Pedagogy In Communication Education, Katrina Marie Overby, Nickesia S. Gordon

Feminist Pedagogy

As two Black feminist communication scholars, we reflect on the importance of intersectional and culturally responsive community engaged pedagogical practices in communication education. In this paper, we articulate the ways in which integrating community engaged pedagogical practices more intentionally in our curriculum, positions communication educators to participate in and contribute to advocacy based teaching that centralizes reflexivity, dialogue, critical literacy, and alliance building. Rooted in bell hooks’ theory of engaged pedagogy, our approach advocates for educators to articulate a pedagogy of Conscientizacao and to create curricula that teach us all to transgress.

Engaging The World’S Cultures By Exploring Travel Possibilities: Overcoming Ethnocentrism To Demonstrate Cultural Awareness, Ashley D. Garcia, Daniel L. Foster

Feminist Pedagogy

This series of intercultural communication assignments was designed to assist students with the challenging transition from an ethnocentric (inflexible) mindset to an ethnorelative (flexible) one. At the beginning of the semester, students select a country and a corresponding international news source (online) to read throughout the semester. They complete several Engaging the World’s Cultures (EWC) assignments during the semester to accomplish two goals: to dive deep into the culture and to strengthen the uptake of an ethnorelative mindset when learning about a different culture. The information gathered through the EWC assignments is then compiled in a Travel Brochure at the …

Lindenwood Digest, April 15, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Event & Date: The Lindenwood University Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, from 3–4:30 p.m.. 

• Geographic Grounding: J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri. 

• Key Honorees/Awards: Benita Phillips Lester was elected Vice President of Professional Development for the Missouri Academic Advising Association (MACADA); the PRIDE Fund annual award cycle opened on April 1, with applications due by May 5, 2026. 

• Institutional Context: The 2026 Lindenwood Showcase on April 23 features faculty sessions on integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom, specifically focusing on building student skills and practical teaching strategies. 

X Versus Reality: Orbán Content Dominates X, But Was 420% Inconsistent With Vote Totals, Bond Benton, Yi Lou, Jin-A Choi

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

This follow-up study from Montclair State University researchers in the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication in the College of Communication and Media shows (again) that the volume of political posts on X (formerly Twitter) may not reflect actual voter behavior. The gap between post volume about candidates and real election votes was 420.7% in the analyzed case of the April 12, 2026, election in Hungary. This reflects an even greater gap than the Center’s previous study of the New Jersey gubernatorial election where X posts favored the losing candidate by a margin of …

How Much Control Should We Have Over Our Social Media Feeds?: Reflections On A Lesson For High School Students, Daniel G. Krutka, Edward Henry

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

This paper describes a week-long high school lesson designed to help students understand and reclaim agency over their algorithmically curated social media feeds. Drawing on Nicholas Carr's framework of media's three functions — message creation, selection, and transmission — the lesson traces how algorithms displaced human editorial judgment beginning with Facebook's 2006 News Feed. Through guided inquiry, social media diaries, and platform comparison charts, students examined how much control they have, and should have, over what they see online. The lesson aims to foster critical algorithmic awareness and more intentional social media practices among young people navigating an increasingly automated …

Suppressing Saints And Suffering Sinners: An Analysis Of Reductive Tropes Through The 2025 Film Sinners, Kaila Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ryan Coogler’s 2025 horror film Sinners is set in a predominantly Black Mississippi community during the Jim Crow era and explores the vulnerability and hypervisibility of Black people. Vampires and Klansmen fixate on Black bodies, treating them as consumable and dispensable sources. Prior to its Amazon Prime debut and extended theatrical run, Sinners grossed over $300 million, signaling its cultural impact and contribution to reshaping representations of Black identity in cinema. As part of Coogler’s broader array of Black storytelling, the film disrupts entrenched stereotypes by emphasizing character depth rather than caricature.

This paper analyzes the characters Annie and the …

Coverage, Traits, And Geographic Distribution Of Online Surgeon Reviews: Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Analysis, Michael Geng, Carlos Riveros, Yash B. Shah, Sanjana Ranganathan, Kai Fok, Renil Sinu Titus, Vatsala Mundra, Eusebio Luna Velasquez, Dharam Kaushik, Allan S. Detsky, Angela Jerath, Benjamin N. Breyer, Yusuke Tsugawa, Christopher J. D. Wallis, Raj Satkunasivam

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: The use of online physician rating platforms has significantly increased and has been shown to influence physician selection. There are limited data on the use of these platforms for rating surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to assess the geographic distribution of and patterns in rating scores of surgeons in the United States. Additionally, we examined rating volumes across different surgical specialties and the association between peer-nominated and patient-initiated ratings on online rating platforms in the United States.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study by identifying 201,154 surgeons in the United States via the National Plan and Provider …

Protecting Free Speech And Promoting Civility: The Dueling Responsibilities Of American Colleges And Universities, Tara N. Parsons

International Journal on Responsibility

Freedom House estimates that 75% of the world’s population lives in countries that experienced a democratic decline in 2020. Even in long established democracies, liberal democratic values have been shaken. As democracy requires an enlightened citizenry cultivated by a college education, many American universities and colleges adopt civic instruction and engagement as a core responsibility and mission. However, growing anti-intellectualism has drawn increased scrutiny and suspicion towards the programming, curriculum, and core values of universities. Powerful political figures regularly accuse universities of stifling conservative voices and discouraging free speech. The tension between free speech and civic dialogue requires a reframing …

Yellowjackets And White Hoods?!: The Mistreatment Of Bipoc Characters, Suki Shepherd

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

In 2021, a psychological horror television series inspired by Lord of the Flies, reimagined as a high school girls' soccer team, was released. The highly skilled team from Wiskayok High School is on the way to the national championship game when their plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With both a teenage timeline and an adult timeline, the show switches between the girls' desperate survival and descent to madness in the woods and modern times, where the truth of how they made it out starts to be revealed.

Creative Engagement For Community Through The Life-Span, D. Nicole English, Pelgy Vaz

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Creative Engagement for Community Through the Life-Span

Creative Engagement includes crafts, cultural practices, expressive arts, and activities that bring people together. Having access to such activities enables people to develop healthy habits, social interactions, and build community that can sustain one throughout the lifespan. On-going research indicates that Creative Engagement Activities, and the Communities of Practice that build around them, benefit people throughout the life-span, but become particularly important to older adults, by building resilience and social connections, in the face of inevitable life losses.

https://youtu.be/r3JS5YP-MnM

The Grammy Awards 2026, Who Will Take Home The Prize?, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 4

Not For Radio: Maria Zardoya’S Debut Solo Album, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 4

Detained; More Than A Book, More Than An Event, A Life Story, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 4

Modern Day Museum Heist; The 2025 Lourve Museum Robbery, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 4