News
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Whose History Gets Told? Ben Bishop Looks at Feminism and the Trans Community
Women's History Month is meant to honor women's contributions to society, but a persistent divide between cis and trans women has complicated that mission. Ben Bishop, a graduate researcher at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Communication, is adding his voice to the debate.
His critical feminist research focuses on the emerging anti-gender movement, and more specifically on discussion around detransition and how ideas of gender transition are utilized in the movement.
Dr. Calum Matheson Discusses Post-Weird at Agora Lecture
Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates gathered for the second Agora presentation of the spring semester, featuring Department Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Calum Matheson. The monthly Agora series invites speakers to share current communication research, and this installment drew one of the semester’s largest crowds.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Elizabeth Langer on Building a Career in Sports Media
On game day, Elizabeth “Liz” Langer pays attention to more than the scoreboard. While most fans focus on who’s winning, Liz is drawn to what happens in the stands—the conversations, traditions, and shared energy that turn a sporting event into a community experience. It’s that sense of connection that made sports feel meaningful to her long before she imagined a career in sports media.
“It doesn't matter how good the sport team is, how well they're doing this season,” Liz said, “it’s the people that love the teams, and I love the people.”
PhD Alumni, Dr. Reed Van Schenck and Dr. E. Chebrolu, featured in the latest issue of the Lateral
As debates over digital platforms, misinformation, and online extremism intensify, recent work by Pitt Communication alumni is helping clarify how these technologies shape human agency. Alumni Dr. Reed Van Schenck (PhD ’24) and Dr. E. Chebrolu (PhD ’23) contribute key scholarship to a new Lateral collection on digital platforms and agency, with Dr. Van Schenck serving as co‑editor.
Senior COMMRC Student, Erin Clark, Receives 2026 Spiegel Award
Erin Clark, an undergraduate Communication and Rhetoric major, is the recipient of the 2026 Jennifer and Eric Spiegel Award.
Professor Caitlin Bruce Receives National Award for Distinguished Scholarship
For her groundbreaking contributions to rhetoric and public address, Professor of Communication, Caitlin Bruce, has been awarded the prestigious James A. Winans–Herbert A. Wichelns Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship. The National Communication Association (NCA) presented the honor during its 111th Annual Convention in Denver.
Celebrating Black History Month: Dr. David Molina Shares Insight on Undergraduate African American Rhetoric Course
February’s Black History Month calls for a look inside Dr. David Molina’s African American Rhetoric. It offers an understanding of Black political imagination past and present, through the lens of communication, rhetoric, and Dr. Molina’s research background in Black freedom movements in the United States.
From Music to Media: Rachel McGregor’s Journey with Pitt Athletics
Most people would not connect playing the trumpet with interning in Pitt’s athletic department, but that connection seemed obvious to Rachel McGregor.
McGregor, a senior majoring in Communication Rhetoric, is a member of the Pitt Varsity Marching Band who has leveraged her membership in the band to gain a strategic communications internship with the Pitt Athletics media staff.
Alumni Networking Pop-Up Brings Connections to Life
The Department of Communication welcomed nine alumni back to the 14th floor on the evening of Nov 18 for an Alumni Networking “Pop-Up” Event designed to connect students and recent graduates in a relaxed, conversational setting.
Students Put Communication Into Action in Partnership With Vitalant Blood Drive
The Department of Communication is committed to helping students see the many professional directions their communication skills can take them. Reflecting this mission, the Department partnered with Vitalant throughout the fall semester to plan and host an on-campus blood drive.
Dr. Calum Matheson Talks Conspiracy Theories in The Conversation
Dr. Calum Matheson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication, recently contributed an article to The Conversation, an independent news organization that publishes articles written by academic experts for general audiences.
"I Gotta Know What’s In That Pittsburgh Water”: WPDU Win Streak Continues"
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) powered through November, stacking up championship titles and speaker awards across three major tournaments. From Illinois to Florida to West Virginia, the Panthers showed once again that this season’s surge in titles is no fluke.
