Margaret Duffy

Dr. Margaret Duffy is a Professor of Strategic Communication at the Missouri School of Journalism and Executive Director of the Novak Leadership Institute (NLI), funded by a $21.6 million grant from YUM! Brands CEO David Novak. Her research spans leadership, organizational communication, visual communication, digital media, and persuasion, with a focus on their societal impact.

• PhD, University of Iowa

Her scholarly work examines political communication, social media effects, and advertising ethics. Recent publications analyze social media’s role in mental health and the rhetorical strategies of hate groups. She co-authored studies on media literacy, health communication, and gender representation in advertising.

The trends in her research emphasize the intersection of strategic communication with digital platforms, ethical challenges in media, and the psychological effects of online behavior. Her work has appeared in journals like Computers in Human Behavior and Journal of Communication Inquiry.

Scientific Awards:

• Nominated, MU Faculty-Alumni Award (2011)
• President’s Award, Missouri Press Association (2009)
• Socrates Award for Teaching Excellence (1998)
• McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence (2018)

Duffy has secured grants from the Pew and Knight Foundations and serves on the board of the Institute for Advertising Ethics. She previously worked as a marketing executive and consults globally for entities like Estee Lauder and the U.S. Army.

At the NLI, she leads initiatives to integrate strategic communication into leadership education, preparing students to drive positive change in organizations and communities.