Matthew Savage

Matthew W. Savage is an Associate Professor at the School of Communication, San Diego State University (SDSU), specializing in health and interpersonal communication. His research focuses on adolescent bullying/cyberbullying, oral health promotion, and reciprocal violence, emphasizing team science and community partnerships with educational, governmental, and non-profit organizations.

He holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University (2012) and has taught at institutions including the University of Kentucky, University of Hawaii, and Arizona State University, where he received prestigious university teaching awards. His courses include Quantitative Methods in Communication, Health Communication and Relationships, and seminars in Health Communication and Research Methods.

Dr. Savage's research integrates behavioral health interventions, public health campaigns, and technology-based solutions to address risky behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Notable projects include cyberbullying prevention strategies, oral health initiatives in Appalachia, and pandemic-related health behavior studies during the COVID-19 crisis.

His work has been supported by external and internal funding mechanisms, translating academic research into clinical practice. He actively explores how communication strategies impact policy compliance, vaccine sentiment, and media framing of health issues such as intimate partner violence.