Austin Beattie

Dr. Austin Beattie serves as Assistant Professor of Communication at Hope College, joining the Department of Communication in 2023. His research examines human-technology interaction dynamics at the intersection of social support systems and machine communication.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies, University of Iowa (2023)
• M.A. in Communication, Western Michigan University (2017)
• B.S. in Communication Studies and Economics, Northern Michigan University (2014)

Beattie's research centers on how message characteristics and machine agents (particularly chatbots) facilitate social support through technology. His work investigates stress-buffering mechanisms in human-machine communication, emoji semantics in digital interactions, and the impact of bot design on user perceptions. Current projects explore how chatbots deliver emotional support and how nonverbal cues translate in algorithmic communication.

Recent publications (2016-2023) demonstrate consistent output in human-machine communication, with emerging focus on health applications and theoretical frameworks. Key trends include the role of chatbots in social support networks, cross-cultural emoji interpretation, and ethical implications of anthropomorphized agents.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Featured Researcher by University of Iowa Office of VP for Research (2022)
• National Communication Association's Top Ten GIFT Teaching Honors (2021)
• Central States Communication Association Top Paper Award (2016)

Beattie mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers through the Western Michigan University Communication and Social Robotics Lab, where his industry experience in telecommunications informs student training. His teaching portfolio includes Media and Society, Social Media Theory, and Quantitative Research Methods courses. While specific grant details aren't published, his featured researcher status indicates active funding support.

He maintains ongoing collaboration with WMU's Communication and Social Robotics Lab while establishing his research program at Hope College, focusing on experimental studies of human-chatbot interaction dynamics.