Tanni Haas

Tanni Haas is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She teaches courses including Public Speaking, Communication for Business & Professions, and Current Issues in CASD, while maintaining an active research agenda focused on democratic media practices.

Her educational qualifications include:

• Bachelor's Degree in International Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School (1992)
• Master's Degree in Public Relations from Stirling University (1993)
• Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Rutgers University (2000)

Professor Haas's research examines the intersection of journalism, democracy, and civic engagement, with particular emphasis on public journalism's theoretical foundations and practical implementations. Her work critically analyzes how media platforms—from traditional newspapers to political blogs—can foster citizen participation in democratic processes, while addressing ethical challenges in contemporary journalism. She investigates historical precedents like Development Journalism and explores emerging trends in citizen-based media, consistently advocating for journalism that strengthens public discourse.

Her extensive publication record reveals evolving research trajectories from foundational public journalism theory toward global applications and digital media innovations, with recurring themes of democratic accountability, citizen empowerment, and ethical media practices across diverse cultural contexts.

Her scholarly contributions have been recognized through multiple research awards and professional honors:

• PSC-CUNY Research Awards (2000-2015, totaling over $40,000)
• Selected Favorite Teacher of the Year (2005)
• Leonard and Claire Tow Faculty Travel Fellowship (2003-04)
• Top Three Competitive Paper Award from International Communication Association
• Scholarships for Graduate Studies from Danish institutions ($40,000)

Professor Haas has secured significant research support through PSC-CUNY grants and sabbatical leaves, enabling book manuscripts and scholarly articles on public journalism. She actively contributes to academic governance as departmental advisor, curriculum committee member, and editorial board participant for journals including Critical Studies in Media Communication and Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, while mentoring students through departmental counseling roles. Her conference leadership in symposia on digital media and journalism ethics demonstrates ongoing engagement with evolving media landscapes.

Through faculty day conferences and interdisciplinary collaborations, she fosters scholarly dialogue on media's role in democracy, particularly examining how new technologies reshape public journalism practices while maintaining core democratic values.