Michael Clay Carey

Michael Clay Carey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media at Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences. He joined the faculty in 2014 and teaches courses in print and online journalism, including advanced writing, visual storytelling, and practicum classes producing The Local, an award-winning student magazine. His research focuses on cultural studies of media, particularly media’s role in shaping identity and representing poverty in Appalachia. He has authored the award-winning book The News Untold: Community Journalism and the Failure to Confront Poverty in Appalachia and published extensively in journals like Journalism Practice and Newspaper Research Journal.

Before academia, Carey worked as a reporter and editor at Tennessee newspapers, covering diverse topics from government to sports. He holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and Ohio University. His professional memberships include the Society for Professional Journalists and Alabama Media Professionals, where he serves as Vice President of Programs. Carey advises Samford’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and has received the National Federation of Press Women’s Best Advisor award twice.

His research highlights media’s societal impact, with studies on Amish press dynamics, digital advertising challenges in community newspapers, and self-censorship among student journalists. His work often bridges theoretical cultural analysis with practical journalism ethics, emphasizing inclusive reporting and community resilience in underserved regions like Appalachia.