Stephen M. Haas

Stephen M. Haas is a tenured Full Professor in the School of Communication, Film, & Media Studies at the University of Cincinnati and former Graduate Program Director (2002-2007). He served as Chair of the Health Communication Division of the National Communication Association and is nationally recognized for his longitudinal LGBTQ+ couples maintenance project and co-creation of Uncertainty Management Theory.

Education:

• Ph.D. Communication, Ohio State University, 1999
• M.A. Communication, University of Cincinnati, 1991
• B.A. Communication, University of Cincinnati, 1990

Haas’s research integrates Health Communication and Interpersonal/Relational Communication, emphasizing relationship maintenance in same-sex and different-sex couples, social support among families confronting chronic illness (especially HIV/AIDS), patient self-advocacy in physician-patient interaction, and the emergence of online negative enabling support groups.

His recent publications (2022-2025) extend into pediatric populations, examining how caregiver-nurse communication affects family management and quality-of-life for children dependent on long-term mechanical ventilation, while continuing to explore minority stress, resilience, and policy impacts on LGBTQ+ partnerships.

Scientific Awards:

• 2017 Monograph of the Year, NCA GLBTQ Studies Division
• 2004 Health Communication Distinguished Article of the Year, NCA
• 2001 Golden Anniversary Monograph Award, NCA
• 2000 Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Dissertation of the Year, NCA
• 2000 ICA/NCA International Dissertation of the Year

Haas has been continuously funded by NIH agencies (NIMH, NINR, NIAID) and the University of Cincinnati, securing over $1.1 million as PI/Co-I for projects on HIV-status disclosure, relationship maintenance, uncertainty management, and pediatric chronic-care communication. He currently mentors interdisciplinary teams investigating provider-parent interactions in high-technology pediatric settings.

He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Health Communication capstone, Interpersonal Communication Theory, Persuasion & Influence, and Empirical Research Methods, and sits on editorial boards for Health Communication and LGBTQ+ Family.