Etsuko Kinefuchi

Etsuko Kinefuchi is a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), affiliated with the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability. She specializes in Critical Intercultural Communication, Environmental Communication, and qualitative research methods. Her work bridges ecological approaches with cultural identity studies, focusing on environmental justice, sustainability discourses, and marginalized communities' resistance strategies.

Education:

• Ph.D. Communication, Arizona State University
• M.A. & B.A. Speech Communication, Oregon State University

Research Interests:

Dr. Kinefuchi examines ecological approaches to identity, environmental advocacy, and the intersections of social and ecological injustices. Her work critiques hegemonic narratives around sustainability, nuclear energy, and environmental racism. She employs ecofeminist frameworks and critical discourse analysis to expose systemic inequities in environmental policymaking and media representation.

Key Contributions:

Her 2021 article on Japan's nuclear power discourse and 2016 co-authored piece advocating an ecological turn in intercultural communication received significant scholarly attention. She also pioneered UNCG courses like Communicating Rights: Humans and Nature that integrate ecological ethics into communication pedagogy.

Awards & Service:

• 2017 NCA Distinguished Article Award
• Academic Sustainability Coordinator at UNCG (2018-2021)
• Board Member, International Environmental Communication Association (2023-2027)

Grants & Partnerships:

Her community-campus partnerships focus on equity-driven sustainability projects. Recent collaborations include initiatives linking university research with local environmental justice organizations.

Labs/Teams:

Active in UNCG's Sustainability Studies program and leads interdisciplinary research groups exploring eco-justice and climate communication strategies.