Adrianne Kunkel

Adrianne Kunkel is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas, where she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in interpersonal communication, communication and gender, and social support since at least 2002. Her contact information includes the email adkunkel@ku.edu and phone number (785-864-9884).

• Education: Ph.D. from Purdue University.

Dr. Kunkel’s research focuses on emotional support processes in personal relationships, domestic violence intervention, gender communication, and qualitative research methods. She has secured grants to study coping through narrative, support group impacts on breast cancer survivors, and domestic violence survivor challenges.

Her scholarship includes co-authoring Researching Interpersonal Relationships: Qualitative Methods, Studies, and Analysis (2014) and co-editing Relationship Science: Integrating Evolutionary, Neuroscience, and Sociocultural Approaches (2012). Her recent work examines behavioral activation interventions, grief communication, and identity negotiation in trans healthcare.

Scientific Awards

• Center for Teaching Excellence Recognition (2002)
• Outstanding Woman Educator, KU (2003)
• Silver Anniversary Award for Excellence in Teaching, KU (2004)
• Central States Communication Outstanding New Teacher Award (2004)
• Donn W. Parson Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award (2003-2004, 2009-2010, 2010-2011)
• John C. Wright Mentor Award, KU (2011)
• IARR Mentoring Award (2014)

Dr. Kunkel has mentored graduate students and contributed to domestic violence advocacy, including studies on survivor narratives and support group dynamics. She has published extensively in journals like Human Communication Research, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and Death Studies.