Travis R. Bell

Travis R. Bell is an Associate Professor of Digital and Sports Media and the Director of Graduate Programs and Research at the Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications, University of South Florida. His research explores the intersections of media, sport, and identity, with a focus on race, gender, and health.

His methodological expertise includes media framing analysis, content analysis, thematic analysis, mixed methods, and experimental designs. Rooted in social constructionist theory, his work investigates how facts and images are shaped by media and social systems to construct meaning.

Dr. Bell has been recognized with several honors, including:

• Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor, USF (2024)
• Scholar of the Year, Florida Communication Association (2021)
• Emerging Scholar, NCA Communication and Sport Division (2020)

He also brings professional experience as a documentary filmmaker and a 12-year career as a broadcast multimedia journalist, enriching his academic perspective with real-world media practice. As Director of Graduate Programs and Research, he mentors graduate students and leads research initiatives within the school.