Aimee Burns

Aimee Burns, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Lakeland University. She holds a B.A. (2012) and M.A. (2016) in Communication Studies from Northern Illinois University (NIU) and a Ph.D. in Media and Communication (2023) from Bowling Green State University (BGSU), with a graduate certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her research focuses on interpersonal communication dynamics, particularly identity and relational meaning-making in contexts of intimate partner violence. She has taught widely at NIU and BGSU and actively advocates against domestic and sexual violence through community engagement and speaking engagements.

• Education:
• B.A. in Communication Studies, Northern Illinois University (2012)
• M.A. in Communication Studies, Northern Illinois University (2016)
• Ph.D. in Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University (2023)
• Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Research: Burns investigates how individuals construct relational identity and meaning after experiencing intimate partner violence. Her work intersects communication studies with feminist and trauma-informed frameworks.
• Advocacy: She serves as a domestic and sexual violence advocate, emphasizing community education and policy reform.