معرفی
Marifran Mattson is Professor and Head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. She earned her Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1995 and has built a distinguished career at the intersection of health communication, public health campaigns, and service-learning pedagogy.
Education:
- Ph.D., Arizona State University (1995)
- M.A., Marquette University
- B.A., St. Norbert College
Research Interests:
Professor Mattson's research emphasizes the Scholarship of Engagement, exploring how health communication campaigns can be designed, implemented, and evaluated for maximum community impact. Her work spans several interconnected domains:
- Health Communication Campaigns: Focus on needs assessment, message design, implementation strategies, and evaluation methodologies
- Health Advocacy: Bridging research with policy change and community empowerment
- Service-Learning Pedagogy: Integrating community engagement with academic learning in health communication education
- Motorcycle Safety Communication: Developing comprehensive safety campaigns following her personal motorcycle accident experience
- Healthcare Organizational Communication: Examining patient confidentiality, ethical dilemmas, and communication boundary management
- Aviation Safety Communication: Collaborative research bridging communication and aviation technology for occupational safety
Research Impact & Publications:
Professor Mattson's research demonstrates a clear trajectory from theoretical development to practical application. Her work on motorcycle safety campaigns represents a model for community-based participatory research, while her publications on health advocacy showcase how academic research can directly influence policy. Her collaborative approach is evident in her co-authorship of two books and numerous peer-reviewed articles across prestigious journals including Health Communication, Journal of Health Communication, and Social Science & Medicine.
Community Engagement & Initiatives:
Notable among her community initiatives is the Motorcycle Safety at Purdue campaign, which she initiated following her 2004 motorcycle accident. This comprehensive, team-oriented campaign integrates research, teaching, and community engagement, partnering with organizations like American Bikers Aimed Toward Education and Purdue's football team. Additionally, she played a crucial role in passing Indiana legislation mandating health insurance coverage for prosthetics.
Teaching & Mentorship:
Professor Mattson incorporates her research into both undergraduate and graduate health and organizational communication classes, creating a dynamic learning environment where students actively participate in real-world health campaigns. She has mentored numerous students through the Motorcycle Safety at Purdue student organization and various research projects.
Contact Information:
- Office: BRNG 2126
- Email: mmattson@purdue.edu
- Phone: (765) 494-3300
- Fax: (765) 496-1394
- Office Hours: By appointment only
