Kathleen Stansberry
Associate Professor of Strategic Communications
Department: Strategic Communications
Email: kstansberry@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5465
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
Dr. Kathleen Stansberry (PhD, University of Oregon) is an assistant professor of media analytics and strategic communications at Elon University. Her work focuses on digital analytics, influence metrics, and furthering numerical and statistical literacy among media professionals. Dr. Stansberry served as director of research projects and partnerships for the Imagining the Internet Center from 2019-2020, during which time she published a research monograph on the future of digital life with the Pew Research Internet, Science & Technology Project.
Prior to becoming a full-time educator, Dr. Stansberry worked for a decade in corporate, agency and nonprofit public relations including as corporate communications manager for Osram Sylvania (a division of Siemens) and online community manager for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). She is a strong advocate for using education and training in data analysis to combat mis/dis and mal-information, conspiracy thinking and public distrust. In addition to exploring these topics in numerous academic publications, Dr. Stansberry has been featured as an expert source in such popular press publications as Rolling Stone, New York Daily News, The Independent, Slate Magazine and Vox.
News & Notes
Education
Ph.D. in Communication and Society, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Dissertation: One-step, two-step, or multi-step flow: The role of influencers in information processing and dissemination in online, interest-based publics
M.A. in Communication and Society, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Thesis: We’ve done drugs Keith Richards never heard of: A qualitative study of young adult cancer narratives online.
B.A. in American Culture, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Courses Taught
Communications Core:
COM 100: Communication in a Global Age
COM 495: Great Ideas: Issues and Research
Media Analytics Program:
MEA 260: Understanding Audiences
MEA 329: Applied Media Analytics
MEA 460: Measuring Media Impact
Strategic Communications Department:
STC 362: Strategic Research Methods
Publications
Monograph
Stansberry, K., Anderson, J., Rainie, L. (October 28, 2019). Experts optimistic about the next 50 years of digital life. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/10/28/experts-optimistic-about-the-next-50-years-of-digital-life/
Book Chapters
Strauss, J., & Stansberry, K. (2021). Engaging audiences with authenticity: The role of social media in Royal Caribbean's hurricane relief effort. In A. L. Hutchins & N. T. J. Tindall (Eds.), Public relations and online engagement: Audiences, fandom and influencers. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429327094
Stansberry, K. (2019) Measurement in public relations. In E. Graham & J. Mazer (Eds.), Communication Research Measures III: A Sourcebook (pp. 108-119). Routledge.
Stansberry, K. (2019) Crisis responsibility scale. In E. Graham & J. Mazer (Eds.), Communication Research Measures III: A Sourcebook (pp. 225-239). Routledge.
Stansberry, K. (2019) Organization-public dialogic communication scale. In E. Graham & J. Mazer (Eds.), Communication Research Measures III: A Sourcebook (pp. 321-328). Routledge.
Stansberry, K. (2019) Public relations value assessment scale, In E. Graham & J. Mazer (Eds.), Communication Research Measures III: A Sourcebook (pp. 388-392). Routledge.
Stansberry, K. (2019) Media research in transition: Applying micro-level audience data to macro-level decision-making. In D. Grady (Ed.) The Golden Age of Data Media Analytics in Study & Practice (pp. 56-59). Routledge..
Stansberry, K. and MacKenzie, M. (2019) Equipping the media analytics toolbox: A study of the skills required for entry and mid-level media analytics jobs. In D. Grady (Ed.) The Golden Age of Data Media Analytics in Study & Practice (pp. 125-134). Routledge.
Stansberry, K. (2017). Multistep flow of communication: Online media and social navigation. In P. Roessler (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Media Effects. Wiley-Blackwell. doi:10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0058
Stansberry, K. & Hayes, A. (2017). The pink elephant in the room: Breast cancer awareness marketing. In A. Du Pre & E. Berlin Ray (Eds.) Case Studies: Real-Life Scenarios in Health Communication. Oxford University Press.
Stansberry, K. (2016). Taming the social media data deluge: Using social media research methods in the public relations classroom. In H. Noor Al-Deen (Ed.), Social Media in the Classroom. (pp. 75-92). Peter Lang.
Stansberry, K., & Curtin, P. A. (2012) The polio eradication campaign. In P. A. Curtin & T. K. Gaither (Eds.), Globalization and Public Relations in Postcolonial Nations. (102-120). Cambria Press.
Journal Articles
DiRusso, C. & Stansberry, K. (in press). UnVaxxed: A cultural study of the online anti-vaccination movement. Qualitative Health Research.
Madison, E., Hopp, T., Santana, A., & Stansberry, K. (2018) A motivational perspective on mass communication students’ satisfaction with their major: Investigating antecedents and consequences. Journalism and Mass Communication Educator. doi:10.1177/1077695816687408
Stansberry, K. & Strauss, J. (2016). A Cavalier approach to public relations: The unconventional image restoration of LeBron James. Case Studies in Strategic Communication. 5(2).
Stansberry, K. (2015). Identifying and engaging online influencers through the social web. PRism 12(1): http://www.prismjournal.org/homepage.html
Stansberry, K., & Strauss, J. (2015). Commentary: Standing out in a neon crowd: Exploring how to establish brand personalities on Twitter that help cultivate relationships with ‘fans’ and brand advocates. PRism 12(1): http://www.prismjournal.org/homepage.html
Gallicano, T. & Stansberry, K. (2012). Assessment of a diversity assignment in a PR principles course. Communication Teacher 26(2), 115-128.
Gallicano, T., & Stansberry, K. (2011). Communication with a diverse audience through a case study approach. Public Relations Review, 37, 556-561.
Stansberry, K. (2011). Mapping mommy bloggers: Using online social network analysis to study publics. PRism 8(2), 1-14.
Popular Press
Stansberry, K. (2021, April 4). “The Financial Drain of Misinformation.” PRSay: The Voice of Public Relations. http://prsay.prsa.org/2021/04/22/the-financial-drain-of-misinformation/
Stansberry, K. (2017, April 17). Why you should not watch or share the horrific viral video of Robert Godwin's murder. The New York Daily News. http://nydn.us/2psoV4f
Stansberry, K. (2016, November 17). You are helping to share the Internet: So you should think about what you want it to look like. Slate. http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/11/people_don_t_just_experience_the_internet_they_help_shape_it.html
Presentations
Refereed Conference Papers and Presentations
Stansberry, K. (2020). Incorporating Analytics Into the PR Classroom. Presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Public Relations Division Virtual Conference, January 2020.
Stansberry, K. (2019). Imagining the Next 50 Years of Digital Life. With L. Rainie and J. Anderson. Presented at the UN sponsored Internet Governance Forum in Berlin, Germany, November 2019.
Rainie, L. (2019). Looking Back to Go Forward: 50 Years of the Internet. With K. Stansberry and J. Anderson. Presented at Web Summit 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal, November 2019.
Stansberry, K. (2019) 10 essential tools for data journalism. Presented at the National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, DC, November 2019.
Rainie, L. (2019) The Future of Digital Life. With K. Stansberry and J. Anderson. Presented at the U.S. State Department International Visitors Program in Washington, DC, September 2019.
Stansberry, K. (2019) Digital media analytics: Pedagogical approaches and opportunities for curriculum integration. Presented at the Public Relations Society of America Educators Academy in San Diego, Calif., October 2019.
Stansberry, K. (2018). Metrics and Measures in Public Relations. Panel presentation at the National Communication Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2018.
DiRusso, C., Stansberry, K. & Bracken, C. (2018). Experimenting in Facebook: Testing Spiral of Silence in anti-vaccination comments. Presented at the National Communication Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2018.
Stansberry, K. & Mackenzie, M. (2018) Equipping the Media Analytics Toolbox. Presented at the Broadcast Education Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV, 2018.
Stansberry, K. (2018) Teaching Students How to Establish a Professional Social Media Presence. Panel presentation at the Broadcast Education Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV, 2018.
Stansberry, K. (2017). Teaching Media Analytics. Panel presentation at the Public Relations Educators Academy in Boston, Mass, October 2017.
Stansberry, K. & DiRusso, C. (2017). UnVaxxed: A Cultural Study of the Online Anti-Vaccination Movement. Presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference in Chicago, Ill, August, 2017.
Stansberry, K. (2016). Active, organized and aware: The development of shared cognitions within online, interest-based publics. Presented at the Barcelona Public Relations Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, June 2016.
Stansberry, K. (2016) How to avoid drowning in the digital data stream. Techniques and tools for effective social listening. Refereed conference presentation at the YouToo Social Media Conference, Kent State University, Kent, OH, April 2016.
Stansberry, K. (2015). It’s not just hair: A Qualitative analysis of cancer survivors’ explanatory models of illness. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV, November 2015.
Stansberry, K. (2015). Connecting with the empowered patient: Social network analysis of information dissemination and influence in the online AYA community. Presented at the Critical Mass Young Adult Cancer Alliance conference in Chicago, IL, November 2015.
Stansberry, K. (2015). When pink isn’t pretty: A Thematic analysis of breast cancer bloggers’ response to breast cancer marketing and awareness campaigns. Presented at the DC Health Communication Conference in Fairfax, VA, April 2015.
Stansberry, K. (2014). Explaining the inexplicable: The strength of journalism and communication school enrollment as media employment declines. Panel presentation at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal, Quebec, August 2014.
Stansberry, K. (2013). Connecting with the empowered patient: A Study of young adult survivors’ explanatory models of cancer. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference in Washington, DC, November 2013.
Stansberry, K. (2013). Tracking influence through the social web: A Network analysis of information flow in interest-based publics. Presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference in Washington, DC, August 2013.
Stansberry, K. & Strauss, J. (2012). Standing out in a neon crowd: A Qualitative analysis of microblogging efforts by ten Las Vegas casinos. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference in Orlando, FL, November 2012.
Stansberry, K. (2012). Reaching out through the web: Developing influence in the AYA online cancer community. Presented at the Critical Mass Young Adult Cancer Alliance Conference in Atlanta, GA, November 2012.
Stansberry, K. (2012). Using emerging technology to change cultural understandings of cancer. Presented at the Ohio Communication Association Conference in Kent, OH, October 2012.
Stansberry, K. (2012). Identifying social media influencers: Using network mapping to track information flows in online interest-based publics. Presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference in Chicago, IL, August 2012.
Stansberry, K. (2011). When the ends do not justify the means: Ethical concerns and the donor-patient dilemma in cancer communication campaigns. Presented at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA, November 2011.
Stansberry, K. (2011). Introducing students to their cyber-selves. G.I.F.T. submission presented at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA, November 2011.
Stansberry, K. (2011). On not performing cancer: How an online network of young adult cancer patients create an alternative cancer identity. Presented at Internet Research 12.0 Conference in Seattle, WA, October 2011.
Stansberry, K. (2011) Growing a blog-based community: Building traffic and promoting reader engagement. Presented at the International Society for Technology in Education 2011 Conference in Philadelphia, PA, June 2011.
Stansberry, K. & Curtin, P. (2011). The many identities of polio: Culture and meaning in global health communication campaigns. Presented at the Global Public Relations Research Conference in Charlotte, NC, June 2011. [Received Top Paper Award]
Stansberry, K. (2011). Teaching with tech: How a community of web-savvy educators are changing the K-12 education system. Presented at the meeting of the Broadcast Education Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV, April 2011.
Stansberry, K. (2011). Survivorship online: Using social media to promote engagement among individuals with long-term and chronic diseases. Presented at the D.C. Area Health Communication Conference in Washington, D.C., April, 2011.
Stansberry, K. (2010). A Rhetorical analysis of cancer positioning within the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon. Presented at the meeting of the National Communication Association Conference, San Francisco, CA, November 2010.
Stansberry, K. (2010). Working the web: Using social media to promote engagement among young adult cancer patients. Presented at the meeting of the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, Atlanta, GA, August, 2010.
Stansberry, K. (2009). Redefining cancer: A Qualitative study of young adult cancer survivors‚ creation of alternative disease narratives. Presented at the meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Boston, MA, August, 2009.
Stansberry, K. (2008) When war is the only option: A Qualitative analysis of cancer narrative development and effects. Presented at the meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Chicago, IL, August, 2008.
Invited Presentations
Truth and Incivility. Presented at the Transdisciplinary Research on Incivility in STEM Context workshop at the Beckman Institute of Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois, October 2019
Drowning in Data? Digital Analytics Tools and Techniques to Help You Tame the Social Media Deluge. Presented at the American Board of Medical Specialties Conference in Cleveland, OH., September 2016.
Tapping into the power of online publics. Invited guest expert for bimonthly lecture series at Falls Communication in Cleveland, OH., February 2016
Digital whispers, social screams: Using digital analytics to maximize PR impact and control crises. Keynote panel participant at the Public Relations Society of America Health Academy Conference in Cleveland, OH., May 2015
Online etiquette: Your professional and personal image. Inaugural speaker for the Cleveland State University PRSSA lecture series, Cleveland, OH., March 2015
Building your blog. Invited presentation at the International Society for Technology in Education 2010 Conference, Denver, CO., June 2010
Managing and maintaining your online community. Invited presentation at the International Society for Technology in Education 2010 Conference, Denver, CO., June 2010
Messaging your information through social media: How to use Facebook, Twitter and other tools to tell your story and engage people. Featured presenter at Sustainable Oregon 2010 presented by the Association of Oregon Recyclers. Salem, OR., June 2010