Steve McCornack

Steve McCornack is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), within the College of Arts and Sciences. He specializes in interpersonal communication, deception, and public speaking. His research focuses on how deception functions within close relationships and deceptive message production. He is a recipient of prestigious teaching awards, including the Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellowship and the National Communication Association Donald H. Ecroyd Award.

McCornack holds a B.A. from the University of Washington and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His academic career has been marked by impactful contributions to communication theory and pedagogy, including widely adopted textbooks such as Reflect & Relate: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.

His research interests extend to romantic relationship challenges and the psychological and emotional dimensions of deception. McCornack has authored over 30 research articles and is recognized globally as an authority on deceptive communication. His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical skills for improving interpersonal relationships, reflected in his numerous educational publications and teaching accolades.

McCornack’s professional activities include advising students and serving in academic leadership roles. He is actively involved in UAB’s academic community, teaching yoga classes at the Rec Center and contributing to campus life. Beyond academia, he enjoys music, Kona coffee, and his 1985 Porsche 911.