Erin Sahlstein Parcell

Erin Sahlstein Parcell is a Professor of Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Her research focuses on interpersonal and family relationships, particularly in long-distance contexts (e.g., military marriages) and gun violence narratives in southeastern Wisconsin. She employs qualitative methods, including interviews and meta-analyses, and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like the living archive for gun violence survivors. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in interpersonal communication, family communication, and qualitative research methods.

Education:

• PhD, Communication Studies, University of Iowa
• MA, Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• BA, Speech Communication, Iowa State University

Research Interests:

• Long-distance relationships (military families, college couples)
• Gun violence rhetoric and community storytelling
• Qualitative research methodologies
• Military/veteran family communication

Her publications explore relational dialectics theory, military family dynamics, and health communication. She has collaborated on studies addressing maternal healthcare disparities and microaggressions against disability communities. While no formal awards are listed, her work emphasizes community-engaged scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Advising & Grants: Students and community members are invited to participate in her projects. No specific grants are detailed in the provided text.

Labs/Teams: Active in UWM’s Communication Department, contributing to collaborative initiatives like the gun violence living archive project and military communication research networks.