Leanne Knobloch

Leanne Knobloch is a Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She holds affiliate roles at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Center for Social & Behavioral Science. Her research focuses on interpersonal communication within close relationships, particularly examining how communication shapes perceptions of relationships during transitional periods such as military deployment reunions and post-depression diagnosis. She has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, with a focus on military families and mental health communication.

Knobloch earned her Ph.D. (2001) and M.A. (1998) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and her B.A. (1996) from St. Norbert College. She has received numerous accolades including the Berscheid-Hatfield Award (2024), ICA Fellowship (2020), and Woolbert Research Award (2018).

Her recent work explores moral injury among first responders, military couple communication during reintegration, and the psychological impact of traumatic brain injuries. She teaches courses like CMN 230 (Interpersonal Communication) and CMN 529 (Communication and Relationship Development).

• Notable Awards: 16+ major awards including ICA Fellowship
• Affiliations: Beckman Institute, Center for Social & Behavioral Science