Four professors to present research in Winston-Salem

School of Communications faculty members Don Grady, Byung Lee, Connie Book and Jessica Gisclair will combine to present a panel session at the Southern States Communication Association Conference in Winston-Salem, N.C., April 4.

The panel title is "Living with the Internet: Understanding its use and gratification." The Internet has brought the world into our homes and offices. It is a part of people's lives around the world. But, do we ever stop to think about why we use the Internet and how we benefit from its use?

Panel members will discuss research conducted on the classification of Internet users as well as research conducted on the Internet's present and future influence in American life. The panel will further present results of a study conducted by American communications faculty teaching abroad on the Internet's usage among Mainland China university students. And finally, the panel will present research on the role of web sites for big daily newspapers facing economic slowdowns. The discussion will provide a better understanding of Internet use and gratification at home, abroad and in the newspaper industry.