Claude Miller

Claude Miller is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma's Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona (2000). He teaches courses including Nonverbal Communication and Communication and Emotion, and serves as a key researcher in social influence and health communication.

His educational background:

• Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2000

Professor Miller's research investigates human affective responses to influence messages through emotion, motivation, and social influence theories, with emphasis on psychological reactance, terror management theory, and vested interest applications. His work targets adolescent, elderly, and minority populations in health promotion, risk prevention, and crisis contexts, examining how existential anxiety and regulatory focus shape message processing. Recent projects explore pandemic communication, disaster preparedness, and digital behaviors like phubbing.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in terror management theory applications to political threats and public health crises, alongside growing research on attachment styles in mobile communication. His health communication work shows consistent focus on message design for vulnerable populations, particularly regarding obesity prevention and vaccination campaigns.

Award recognition:

• Kinney-Sugg Outstanding Professor Award (2016) from OU College of Arts & Sciences
• Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Dissertation Award (2001) from National Communication Association

As past chair of the Communication and Social Cognition Division (NCA), Professor Miller leads collaborative research teams across disciplines. His grant-funded projects include deception detection training for law enforcement using digital games and culturally tailored health campaigns for Native American communities, demonstrating practical applications of communication theory.

He actively collaborates with researchers like Sun, Ma, and Kim on projects spanning psychological reactance in health messaging to cross-cultural pandemic responses, maintaining strong ties with both communication scholars and public health practitioners.