Renita Beth Coleman
Job Title
Research Interests

My research focuses on race, visual communication, and ethics, among other things. I have done studies on the effects of photographs on ethical reasoning, the role of images in agenda setting, and the moral development of journalists and public relations practitioners. I teach pop culture and the media and am starting to do research on that topic; my first paper is about how women musicians are stereotyped in the music press, and how women music writers are complicit. I am also working on a project to test if video fact checks are more effective than written ones, and another study on how journalists can write stories on controversial topics such as climate change without alienating people who distrust the science.

Typical student contributions to my research
Conduct a literature search, code stories for content analysis, manipulate images in PhotoShop, program Qualtrics surveys, help create stories and videos for experiments
Comments about previous experiences working with students

I've helped students in BDP and Plan II, and some students have helped me with my research just to get an idea of what it's like.

Affiliated Departments