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Research

The Department of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh is a dynamic hub of research, fostering innovation and excellence in the study of communication across a multitude of domains. 

Our century-long commitment to the exploration of rhetoric at the University of Pittsburgh has shaped a diverse and impactful research agenda. Established in the 1920s, our program has contributed influential work to the theory, history, and criticism of rhetorical discourse. Today, the scholars in our department continue to push boundaries of the discipline while recognizing the enduring foundations of communication studies. 

The research by faculty and graduate students spans various areas within communication studies such as rhetorical criticism, public address, media studies, science communication, and political communication.  

Many research projects continue to be tied to rhetoric, including rhetorical theory, classical rhetoric, rhetorical criticism, rhetoric and philosophy, critical theory, contemporary rhetoric, and visual rhetoric. Theories of public address drive another vital research area, exploring the study of historic and contemporary public discourses. Key questions address the impact of argument content and form on judgment and action and the diversity and inclusiveness of contemporary public forums. 

Media and cultural studies form another major research pillar, with scholars focusing on the cultural, social, and historical dimensions of both legacy and contemporary media platforms. Researchers delves into cultural, economic, political, and philosophical aspects, anchored in historically rooted examinations of media production, content, and their interaction with audiences. This interdisciplinary research incorporates perspectives from cultural-critical studies, feminist theory, philosophy, social and political theory, and history. 

Investigating the impact of communication on individuals, groups, and societies, our research reaches into various subfields. For instance, several faculty members and graduate students conduct research in the rhetoric of science and science communication, exploring how rhetoric and communication shape and influence science and health discourses. 

Overall, our research approach, bridging various areas of communication studies, reflects our ongoing pursuit of discovery that resonates in today's complex world.