Samantha James

Samantha James is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the School of Communication & Journalism, Auburn University. She holds a PhD in Organizational Communication & Technology from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA in Organizational & Intercultural Communication Studies from the University of Alabama, and an Honors BA in Communication Studies & Spanish from the same institution.

• Education:
  • PhD, University of Texas at Austin (Organizational Communication & Technology)
  • MA, University of Alabama (Organizational & Intercultural Communication Studies)
  • Honors BA, University of Alabama (Communication Studies & Spanish)

James specializes in critical organizational communication, with a focus on the intersection of new media adoption, globalization, and grassroots organizing. Her research explores the concept of 'labors of love' through global internet fandoms, particularly international fans of Korean pop music (K-pop), and includes collaborative projects on indigenous environmental groups in India and sustainability reporting practices in the UN Global Compact Network. Her publications appear in venues including the Korean Journal of Communication and The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Communication Theory and Research.

Scientific honors include a Fulbright Scholarship in Seoul, South Korea. She teaches courses like COMM 3400: Organizational Communication and COMM 2410: Small Group Communication, emphasizing applied communication projects. Outside academia, she enjoys exploring local farmers markets, coffee shops, and vintage stores in eastern Alabama.