Andy Merolla

Andy Merolla is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on the interplay between interpersonal communication, emotion, and well-being, with emphasis on relational processes like conflict management, forgiveness, and hope. He employs methods like experience sampling to analyze how daily interactions influence feelings of social connection and disconnection.

Education: Ph.D. in Communication from The Ohio State University (2007).
Teaching: Offers courses in conflict management, communication theory, interpersonal communication, and nonverbal communication.
Key Research Areas: Relational communication, well-being, minority health communication, and family communication dynamics.

Research Trends: Recent work explores communication's role in constructing hope, managing life stressors, and addressing health disparities among marginalized groups. His publications often bridge communication theory with practical implications for mental health and social support systems.

Awards:

• 2021 Distinguished Teaching Award (UCSB Academic Senate)

Grants & Advising: Advises graduate students in communication studies and has secured grants supporting research on relational maintenance and health communication. Collaborates with co-author Jeffrey A. Hall on projects like their book The Social Biome: How Everyday Communication Connects and Shapes Us (Yale UP, 2025).

Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary teams at UCSB focusing on health communication and relational dynamics, though specific lab names are not mentioned.