Jennifer J. Reinwald

Jennifer J. Reinwald, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Widener University. She holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh (2021), an MA in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (2014), and a BA in Communication Arts from Allegheny College (2011). Her research focuses on digital rhetoric, media ecology, and the socio-cultural implications of social media, particularly exploring hashtags as rhetorical tools and the neoliberal co-optation of cultural phenomena like hygge through Instagram.

Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing practical applications of communication theory in daily life. Reinwald’s recent publications include analyses of nonverbal persuasion in reality TV and the rhetorical functions of hashtags in social movements. She is affiliated with the National Communication Association and the Rhetoric Society of America.

Reinwald is actively involved in community engagement, including Widener’s Work in Sports Field Trip Series with the Philadelphia Union. She has been featured in media discussions about social media’s impact on mental health and the evolution of Twitter’s verification system.