معرفی
Victoria Ledford is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Auburn University, where she teaches courses in health communication, stigma, quantitative research methods, and argumentation. Her research centers around health communication, persuasion, and quantitative research methods, with a specific focus on creating health messages that persuade people to enact healthy behaviors without stigmatizing them.
Dr. Ledford's educational background includes:
- Ph.D. from University of Maryland, College Park
- M.A. from Marshall University
- B.A. from Marshall University
Her primary research interests focus on how communication can reduce stigma while promoting health behaviors, particularly examining opioid use disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and LGBTQ+ health issues. She investigates the cognitive and affective processes involved in persuasion and decision-making, with special attention to how stigmatizing messages influence public perceptions and behaviors. Dr. Ledford employs primarily survey and experimental methods in her research, often collaborating with qualitative researchers to develop comprehensive understandings of communication phenomena.
Analysis of Dr. Ledford's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory focused on stigma reduction across multiple health contexts. Her work spans opioid crisis communication, autism inclusion in educational settings, and LGBTQ+ health during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. A notable pattern is her application of the Model of Stigma Communication across diverse contexts, demonstrating theoretical innovation and practical relevance. Her research consistently bridges theoretical communication frameworks with real-world health challenges, particularly those affecting marginalized communities.
Dr. Ledford has published her research in prominent communication journals including Health Communication, Communication Education, Communication Teacher, and the Basic Course Communication Annual. Her work appears in both specialized communication outlets and interdisciplinary health journals, demonstrating the cross-disciplinary impact of her research.
As an educator, Dr. Ledford teaches COMM 3510: Research in Human Communication, COMM 4480: Health Promotion Message and Design, COMM 5470: Health Communication, COMM 7020: Quantitative Methods of Communication Research, and COMM 7970: Stigma, Communication and Identity. She previously served as Director of K-12 Research and Professional Services at Hanover Research and taught communication courses at both the University of Maryland and Marshall University before joining Auburn University.
