معرفی
Deion S. Hawkins is an Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy in the Department of Communication Studies at Emerson College's School of Communication. A community-engaged scholar with a PhD in health communication, his research centers on race, power, communication, and culture, specifically addressing systemic injustices and amplifying narratives of Black Americans at intersections of sexuality and disability through critical qualitative and rhetorical methods.
His educational background includes:
- B.A. from Ohio State University
- M.A. from Marshall University
- Ph.D. from George Mason University
Dr. Hawkins' research program critically examines police brutality, HIV in Black communities, environmental racism, and health disparities using interdisciplinary approaches. His work has been published in leading journals including Health Communication, Rhetoric of Health & Medicine, and American Behavioral Scientist, with research archived in the NIH's National Library of Medicine. He employs community-based participatory methods to ensure research directly serves marginalized populations.
Analysis of his recent publications (2019-2025) reveals consistent thematic focus on racial justice, health communication, and resistance narratives. His scholarship demonstrates methodological innovation through critical race and queer theoretical frameworks, with particular attention to digital spaces (Black Twitter), arts-based advocacy, and intergenerational communication patterns within Black communities facing systemic violence and health inequities.
His scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition:
- Article of the Year (2024) from National Communication Association's African American Communication and Culture division
- GLAAD Media Award nomination for Best Blog (The Reckoning)
- Emerson College Outstanding Teaching Award (2022)
- Outstanding New Forensics Educator Award (2019)
- 826 National Network Consensus & Community Builder Award (2024)
- Boston Congress of Public Health 40 under 40 Catalyst Award (2023)
- George Mason University Alumni Queer Excellence Award (2024)
As an educator, Dr. Hawkins implements a "warm demander" pedagogy emphasizing gracious accountability and transformative learning. He directs Emerson's speech and debate program, achieving multiple national championships, and serves as a DEI consultant for organizations including UNAIDS and Massachusetts Department of Health. His community engagement includes board membership at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program and leadership with HIV Racial Justice Now!, where he previously served as Coalition Manager advancing racial justice in domestic HIV responses.
Dr. Hawkins collaborates extensively with community organizations including the Counter Narrative Project and 826 Boston, ensuring his academic work translates into tangible policy and narrative change for Black queer communities. His current initiatives focus on developing culturally responsive health communication frameworks and supporting BIPOC activists through coalition-building.
