Communication Commons^™

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 17 - April 1, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 17 - April 1, 2026. 20 pages.

Precision Or Invasion? Mapping The Personalization Paradox, Shyamala N. Chalakudi, Gnana Bharathy

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

AI-driven personalization has transformed consumer engagement, yet existing research offers no systematic way to determine when personalization shifts from helpful to intrusive. Current research and models explain privacy concerns or expectancy violations but do not measure the point at which personalization triggers user discomfort, creating the personalization paradox. This study introduces the Discomfort Threshold Assessment & Measurement (DTAM) framework, a conceptual model that identifies and evaluates this threshold by integrating Dual Process Theory, Expectation Violation Theory, and Privacy Calculus Theory. DTAM distinguishes between affective discomfort reactance and cognitive discomfort reactance and outlines how these constructs could, in future empirical studies, …

Is Access Enough?: Toward A Blueprint For Prosocial Digital Interventions In Schools (A Case Study On The Implementation Of A Cmc-Based Gratitude Intervention), Carmen Latrice Landy

Theses and Dissertations

This organizational autoethnography examines the process by which a researcher-practitioner began implementing a CMC-based gratitude intervention for adolescents in a school setting. Too often, innovations are unable to reach full adoption within organizations because the real-world implications have not been fully considered. This study seeks to bring a deeper understanding of the facilitators of and barriers to school-based implementation. Through observations and critical reflection, this study highlights the importance of relationships, processes, and mutual agreements in any effort to introduce new practices to an organization. Weick’s (1988) findings on sensemaking combined with the constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation …

An Autoethnography Of Organic Representation In Queer Arts Documentation, Eden Joyce Prime

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project is to illustrate the importance of documentation processes grounded in ‘organic representation,’ a media practice paradigm from the work of A. J. Christian (2020). Organic representation prioritizes narrative co-creation, informed consent, and intersections of identity and cultural knowledge. To effectively document a subject’s lived experience, a media professional must share intersections of identity and/or culture with the subject and provide opportunities for narrative co-creation. Intersectional positionality gives media practitioners authority to document important narratives in a way that honors the identity and contextual significance of the subject. For journalists documenting the life and work of …

Conservation Communication In Web 2.0: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Alveus Sanctuary's Strategies On Twitch.Tv, Hope Denison

Senior Theses

This thesis examines how environmental creators can effectively transmit conservation messages in the evolving Web 2.0 media environment. The case of Alveus Sanctuary, a virtual sanctuary and education center on Twitch.TV, is used to explore the strategies currently used to engage audiences and raise ecological awareness online. Thematic analysis of interviews with the sanctuary’s founder revealed that Alveus combines traditional environmental education with an influencer business model to engage online audiences, leveraging parasocial behavior, interactivity, and collaboration to garner support. A quantitative content analysis of social media posts revealed that these strategies effectively induce parasocial engagement in online spaces. These …

Breast Cancer Communication For Young Women: Exploring Narrative Games As Vehicles Of Transportation, Adetutu Oluwaseyi Wande-Kayode

Theses and Dissertations

Despite extensive intervention efforts, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Prior research in breast cancer communication has largely focused on older women, yet early-onset breast cancer among younger women (ages 18-39) has increased in recent years. This trend highlights an urgent need for tailored communication strategies to improve young women’s understanding of breast cancer risk factors, prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. The present study developed and tested a digital narrative game based on the Health Belief Model, as a potential tool to enhance …

Eyes Wide Shut: Sex Trafficking In The Black Community, Stephany Powell

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

What It Means To Be Latino: Exploring Identity Among U.S.-Born Gen Z Youth, Santiago Reyes, Alessandra Noli Peschiera, Melany Sarcevic, Tatiana Garcia, Leen Tlanepantla

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study explores how U.S.-born Hispanics and Latinos define their identity within a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse demographic group. As the Hispanic population expands, traditional labels such as Hispanic and Latino often fall short of capturing the community’s cultural, linguistic, and generational complexity. With most growth now coming from U.S.-born generations, identity is shaped by a blend of American influences and heritage traditions, making it more fluid and context-dependent. Guided by Social Identity Theory and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, this research uses focus groups with Gen Z participants to examine how they describe themselves, what characteristics they associate with being …

Lindenwood Digest, April 1, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Key Events: Lindenwood University Giving Week scheduled for April 6–10, 2026; Spring II 8-week midterm grade submission deadline on April 13, 2026; Lindenwood Showcase campus-wide celebration on April 23, 2026. 

• Primary Figures: W. Travis McMaken and James Hutson (Lindenwood faculty speakers at AI mini-conference); Tom Wagganer (Senior Associate Athletic Director recognized for Q2 incident response); Gabriela Romero and Kevin Winslow (RISE Mindsets session presenters). 

• Date/Location: Events occurring throughout April 2026 at various campus venues including Dunseth Auditorium, Harmon Hall, the LARC, and Hyland Arena in St. Charles, MO. 

• Archival Significance: Documentation of the discontinuation of the …

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Influencer Effect? An Examination Of Dunkin’ And Tarte’S Use Of Influencers, Amanda D. Damiano Ph.D., Wenjing Xie Ph.D.

AMTP Proceedings 2026

The purpose of this project was to understand public perceptions of brands using influencers. The brands Dunkin’ and Tarte Cosmetics served as case studies for this study. A mixed-methods approach was undertaken. Specifically, social media listening in the form of a content analysis was conducted. That was then followed by an online survey of students from a medium-sized university in the northeast. A number of factors were measured related to participants’ stated brand and influencer effectiveness on social media in general, as well as specific to Dunkin’ and Tarte. Additionally, participant demographic factors were measured in accordance with their stated …

Understanding The Life Satisfaction Gap In Political Consumerism: Buycotting Vs. Boycotting, Neleen S. Leslie-Piper, La Toya M. Russell

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Drawing on approach–avoidance motivation, regulatory focus, warm-glow reward, and self-determination theory, this study examines whether political consumerism, specifically boycotting and buycotting, is associated with life satisfaction in environmental and social issue contexts. Using survey data from Prosper Insights, we compare life satisfaction across buycotters, boycotters, and indifferent consumers and examine how Big Five personality traits and demographics moderate these relationships. We predict higher life satisfaction among buycotters than boycotters, and anticipate a moderating effect of personality traits. Our findings advance marketing theory and practice by linking political consumerism to consumer well-being.

Defining Cultural Credibility: Perceptions Of Authenticity, Representation, And Appropriation In Brand Campaigns, Santiago Reyes, Alessandra Noli, Ashley Johns, Hannah Trandle, Leticia Falcao

AMTP Proceedings 2026

As brands navigate increasingly diverse consumer markets, cultural authenticity has become essential for building trust and relevance. Yet marketing scholarship lacks a clear framework for understanding cultural credibility as distinct from traditional notions of source or brand credibility. This study addresses that gap by examining how consumers conceptualize and evaluate cultural credibility in brand campaigns and collaborations. Drawing on theories of authenticity, cultural identity, and persuasion, the research positions cultural credibility as a socially constructed judgment shaped by perceived authenticity, shared values, and relational alignment. Using semi‑structured interviews and focus groups with multicultural consumers, the study employs thematic analysis to …

Assessing The Impact Of Alumni Relations: Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Understand Fsu Students Motivation To Engage, Eldaneka Rolle, Richard Waters Phd, Ciara A. Lewis

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study aimed to understand Florida State University graduate and upper-division undergraduate students in the College of Communication and Information, attitudes and perception of connection through the specific behavior, engagement with alumni relations. If individuals perceive a connection, is there perceived behavioral control (PBC), does PBC influence their intent to remain connected through one of the four key components, experience, communication, volunteer and philanthropy. Five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis, eight common themes were developed, Major, Minor or Certification Interest, Program Experience, Faculty, Advisors and Staff, Event Participation, Communication Preference, Volunteer Opportunities, Small Contributions …

Framing Emirati Womanhood: Heritage, Modernity, And Soft Power In Tourism Discourse, Valerie Priscilla Goby

All Works

This paper examines how Emirati womanhood is framed within the tourism discourse of the United Arab Emirates, analysing how gendered representation operates as both a cultural and political instrument in nation branding. Drawing on framing theory and informed by feminist perspectives on tourism and media representation, this study explores the visual and textual portrayal of women on official online platforms, including Visit Dubai, Visit Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines, and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth. These materials constitute a state-sanctioned narrative of national identity that integrates cultural heritage with modernity. Through qualitative framing analysis, four recurrent interpretive frames were …

Advancing The Understanding Of Palliative Care In Singapore: Knowledge, Attitudes, Receptiveness, And The Moderating Role Of Media Information-Seeking Preferences, Su Lin Yeo, Angel Lee, Raymond Han Lip Ng, May O. Lwin, Yumin Lin

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Introduction: Despite the growing demand for palliative care, this specialized medical care remains severely underutilized, with almost 50% of countries worldwide lacking access. Given that misperceptions and stigma continue to hinder progress in healthcare policy, this study aims to examine the relationships between palliative care knowledge, attitudes, and receptiveness to better understand how public health communication can enhance awareness and understanding of the topic in Singapore. Applying the adapted knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) model, it further extends theory by examining the moderating role of media information-seeking between knowledge and receptiveness.Methods: Mixed-mode surveys involving 1,226 participants (926 online and 300 in-person respondents), representing …

Deinfluencers As Institutional Actors: Dramaturgical Work And The Embedded Contestation Of Consumerism, Gokcen Coskuner-Balli, Charlene Chu, Niklas Myhr, Cristina Nistor

Business Faculty Articles and Research

"In the sections that follow, we develop theoretical scaffolding for our analysis. We begin by reviewing the literature on institutional work, focusing on how embedded actors engage in purposive actions to disrupt taken-for-granted norms. Next, we examine theoretically how influencers operate, setting the stage for understanding how deinfluencers leverage and subvert these roles. We then review scholarship on anti- consumption and consumer resistance, highlighting how deinfluencers depart from conventional activist modes by adopting culturally embedded, everyday practices. Collectively, these literatures inform our conceptualization of deinfluencing as a dramaturgically enacted form of institutional work. Subsequently, we present our methodology, followed by …

James Talarico Brings Fresh Energy To Texas Politics, Mary-Esther Leblanc, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Oceans Receive Hope Through Student Efforts, Mary-Esther Leblanc, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Calls For Ceasefire: Palestinians Face Ongoing Crisis, Mary-Esther Leblanc, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

“Rapturetok”: Tiktok’S Newest End-Of-World Frenzy, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Hayley Williams, New Musical Era With “Ego At A Bachelorette Party”, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

The Fast Transition From Halloween To Christmas, Why?, Rene P. Estala, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Sweet-Diddly-Doomsday: Ai Integrated Music In The Year 2025, Malcolm Summers, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

La Caballerosidad Ya No Existe? (Chivalry Vs Machismo), Paloma Villarreal, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Maria Corina Machado: Ganadora Del Premio Nobel, Paloma Villarreal, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

El Partido Que Sacudió A Una Nación: El Partido Pri, Paloma Villarreal, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

“Mictlán”, Paloma Villarreal, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Beyond The Building: Leveraging A Library Renovation To Tell A Broader Story, Kristen S. Shuyler

Faculty Scholarship

A library renovation presents a unique communication challenge, requiring a thoughtful strategy that minimizes disruption while building anticipation. When James Madison University (JMU) decided to renovate and expand its flagship library, the JMU Libraries’ Communications & Outreach team pivoted from routine promotional efforts to a streamlined communication model designed to handle significantly increased, narrative-driven messaging related to the renovation. This article outlines the renovation project’s communication plan, describes our streamlining efforts, and highlights unexpected opportunities that emerged along the way—allowing us to share the library’s story in new ways and with broader audiences.

Using The Diary–Interview Method With Time-Constrained Professionals: The Case Of Journalists And Harassment, Ilmari Hiltunen, Reeta Pöyhtäri, Kaarina Nikunen

The Qualitative Report

This article presents a methodological reflection on the diary–interview method’s value and application when used with professionals whose schedules are both demanding and unpredictable, drawing on the authors’ insights from a study examining the harassment and intimidation of journalists. Our experiences demonstrate that combining solicited diary entries with recurring interviews can yield substantial advantages over using either method alone. Diaries are particularly well suited to capturing rich, situated data and individual perspectives, adding distinctive value especially when exploring sensitive or personal issues. Interviews that probe these accounts and revisit incidents in greater depth, in turn, enhance understanding of participants’ emotions, …

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 8, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.