معرفی
Laura Black is a Professor at Fielding Graduate University and an Affiliate Faculty in the Communication & Media department at Utah State University (USU). Her work bridges academic scholarship and practical facilitation in dialogue, deliberative democracy, and conflict transformation.
Her research interests center on how communication practices can foster inclusive decision-making, deep listening, and democratic collaboration. She explores the dynamics of dialogue across difference, the emotional labor of facilitation, and the role of storytelling in deliberative settings. Her work is grounded in qualitative, discourse-based methods and theories of deliberative democracy.
The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on narrative sensemaking, deliberative pedagogy, peacebuilding, and online civic engagement. Her work increasingly examines how digital platforms can support or hinder deliberative processes, particularly in times of crisis such as the pandemic.
Laura Black has held significant professional roles, including past editor of the Journal of Deliberative Democracy and founding officer of the Public Dialogue and Deliberation Division of the National Communication Association. She actively contributes to scholarly and practitioner networks in dialogue and deliberation.
As an engaged scholar-practitioner, she designs and facilitates meetings, leads training in conflict management and inclusive leadership, and mentors emerging scholars. Though no formal students are listed, her collaborative publications and leadership suggest a strong advisory and collaborative presence.
She is involved in multiple collaborative research initiatives, often working with interdisciplinary teams on projects related to civic engagement, peacebuilding, and democratic innovation. Her work exemplifies the integration of theory, research, and practice in communication studies.
