معرفی
Dr. Robert McKeever is a Professor with tenure in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama, College of Communication & Information Sciences. He previously held positions at the University of South Carolina, including Associate Professor and Director of the Science and Health Communication Research Group. His research focuses on media effects in health-related contexts, advocacy communication, and research methodologies. McKeever holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University, and a B.A. in Political Science from UNC Chapel Hill.
Education:
- Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012)
- M.A., Communication and Leadership Studies, Gonzaga University (2008)
- B.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2005)
Research Interests: McKeever’s work examines media effects on health behaviors, particularly vaccine hesitancy, online health misinformation, and advocacy strategies. He employs mixed-methods approaches and emphasizes research methodologies. His recent projects address the interplay between media content and parental decisions, leveraging satire and dark humor in health communication campaigns.
Awards and Recognition:
- Top Theory Paper Award, AEJMC (2019)
- Top Faculty Research Paper Award, AEJMC (2013)
- Second Place Graduate Student Research Paper Award, AEJMC (2011)
Advising and Grants: McKeever has mentored over a dozen graduate students and chaired 7 dissertation/thesis committees. He has secured grants totaling over $100,000 for projects addressing health communication challenges, including combating vaccine misinformation and developing strategies for nonprofit membership retention. His work often bridges academia and practice, with a focus on public health advocacy and organizational communication.
Labs and Collaborations: He directed the Science and Health Communication Research Group at USC and co-led study abroad programs in Cuba, Germany, and Austria, emphasizing global media and health communication.
