Elizabeth Gill

Elizabeth Gill is a Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Eastern Illinois University, serving as Health Communication Coordinator and holding a joint appointment in Aging Studies (Gerontology). Her research investigates interpersonal and health communication dynamics, focusing on uncertainty management among vulnerable populations including older adults and long-term prison inmates.

Her academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Communication, Purdue University (2007)
• MA in Communication, Purdue University (2003)
• BA in Communication, Purdue University (2001)

Gill's scholarship examines how societal norms shape health and family communication in high-stakes contexts, particularly regarding autonomy conflicts in elder care decisions and identity negotiation in correctional settings. Her work bridges theoretical communication frameworks with practical applications for vulnerable populations.

Her publications reveal consistent thematic threads across family communication, aging studies, and correctional contexts, demonstrating how communication patterns established in formative years impact adult uncertainty management in critical life transitions.

Her scholarly impact is recognized through multiple honors:

• 2013 EIU Provost's Award for Integrative Learning
• 2013 Outstanding Faculty - EIU Student Disability Services
• 2009 Achievement and Contribution Award - Balanced
• 2009 Outstanding Honors Faculty, EIU Honors College
• 2009 Top Paper - National Communication Association, Aging and Communication Division
• 2009 Top Three Paper - National Communication Association, Communication and Social Cognition Division

Professor Gill has supervised nine graduate works and secured research funding including the 2009 project "Improvement of Undergraduate Instruction" as Principal Investigator. Her teaching portfolio spans Communication Theory, Family Communication, Health Communication, and Research Methods courses, reflecting her commitment to both theoretical and applied communication education.