About
Dr. Austin McDonald is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Hastings College since 2014. He earned a Ph.D. in communication studies with a focus in performance from Louisiana State University, where his dissertation analyzed exorcism as a subgenre of horror films.
- Research interests: Intercollegiate forensics, gender, horror films, remix culture
Dr. McDonald, recipient of the 2014 Outstanding New Coach Award from the American Forensic Association, has coached competitors to national elimination rounds. He serves as associate director of the HC Forensics (Speech) Team and faculty advisor for the Phi Omega chapter of Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society.
His publications span topics from mindfulness in speech tournaments to feminist representation in political cartoons, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement across communication, law, and media studies.
