Richard Huskey

Richard Huskey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and the Cognitive Science Program at the University of California Davis. He leads the Cognitive Communication Science Lab, contributes to the Computational Communication Research Lab, and is affiliated with the Center for Mind and Brain and the Designated Emphasis in Computational Social Science. He also serves as Vice Chair of the International Communication Association’s Communication Science and Biology interest group.

• Ph.D., Communication (Cognitive Science Emphasis), University of California Santa Barbara, 2016
• M.A., Communication, University of California Santa Barbara, 2014
• B.S., Business Administration, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 2006

Dr. Huskey’s research examines how motivation influences attitudes and behaviors, with a focus on media neuroscience and computational approaches. His work employs fMRI, mobile EEG hyperscanning, and drift diffusion modeling to explore phenomena like flow experiences, media selection dynamics, and neural predictors of message effectiveness. He advocates for integrating Marr’s tri-level framework across communication subfields and promotes open science initiatives.

Recent publications address computational modeling of mood management, flow neurobiology, equity in doctoral admissions, and complexity science frameworks. His methodological innovations include using augmented reality and network neuroscience to study cooperation and attention dynamics. Dr. Huskey’s work bridges media psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and computational social science, emphasizing practical applications in health communication and digital media design.