News
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Caitlin Bruce Paints a Picture of Public Art and Identity
The spaces and places that we as humans occupy, interact with, and shape through means of public expression are essential parts of our identity. This is the idea at the core of the research of Professor, Dr. Caitlin Bruce, who explores the intersection of art, politics, publics, and identity in a transnational context.
Grad Students Share their Research at Agora
Members of the Communication Department gathered on October 31 for the second Agora of the fall semester. This event spotlighted three graduate students–Seth Davis, Zoe Tzanis, and Berna Gorgulu–whose presentations offered fresh perspectives and sparked lively discussions.
COMMRC Connections: Two Students Explore Urban Art through HCUAP Internships
This year, two students joined HCUAP as Research and Writing interns: Briana Bindus is a BPhil candidate in English literature with a double major in Communication Rhetoric, Tori Casarella is majoring in English Writing (Non-Fiction), Communication Rhetoric, and Law, Criminal Justice, and Society.
Hear Us Roar: WPDU Celebrates Week of Dialogue and Debate
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) kept the conversation flowing throughout the week of October 20, hosting a series of events that celebrated academic freedom, the team’s competitive excellence, and the power of public dialogue.
Chasing the Perfect Shot: Alex Jurkuta ‘27
While it may be cliché, pictures truly can be worth a thousand words. A single photograph can capture the emotion and energy of a story in a single frame. For Communication Rhetoric major, Alex Jurkuta, photography is more than just a passion, it's a form of expression. Through his lens, he has found a way to connect his love for visual storytelling with his academic work, turning what began as a hobby into a platform for impact at Pitt and beyond.
From Pitt to Practice: Building Community Through Communication at Bakery Square
Meet Grace Papa, the Marketing and Events Coordinator at Bakery Square and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Communication. Grace graduated from Pitt in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Rhetoric with certificates in Digital Media, Public & Professional Writing, and Corporate & Community Relations.
Faculty Spotlight: Samatha Shorey on the Human Side of Automated Technology
Assistant Professor Samantha Shorey’s fascination with technology began not in a research lab, but on Tumblr. In the wake of the 2008 recession, she watched as women turned to blogging to share stories, build community, and find creative ways to navigate a shifting economy. That experience sparked a lasting interest in how people use technology to innovate—not just in technical terms, but socially and emotionally.Keepin’ It Hot: WPDU continues their streak in debate wins
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) kept the momentum blazing last weekend, earning multiple titles at the DeMouget Debates hosted online by the University of North Texas. The team continued its early season surge, taking home top awards and division championships for the 4th tournament in a row.
Fürsich and Galarza Discuss Media, Identity, and Representation on Cultural Studies Podcast
Two faculty members from our department—Associate Professor Elfriede Fürsich and Assistant Professor Litzy Galarza—were recently interviewed in separate episodes of the Culturalstudies Podcast, hosted by internationally renowned cultural and media studies scholar Toby Miller.Early Bird Gets the Gold: WPDU Dominates for the Second Weekend in a Row
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) continued its 2025 season with standout showings during the second weekend of competition, conquering both the Sunshine Series Part 1 Tournament hosted by the University of West Florida and the East Coast Early Bird Tournament hosted by Baruch College.
Bringing Humanity to Science and Technology: Abigail Kosmalski '26
Abigail Kosmalski, a senior studying Communication Rhetoric and Public and Professional Writing, with a minor in Information Sciences and certificate in Communication of Science and Technology, exemplifies how students can use communication coursework to bridge the gap between STEM and the public.Pitt Department of Communication Affiliated Scholars Recognized at National Communications Association 111th Annual Conference
Two scholars affiliated with Pitt’s Department of Communications–Dr. Caitlin Bruce, Professor of Communication at Pitt, and Dr. Charles Athanasopoulos, an alumnus of the MA and PhD programs– have been recognized with major awards for respective recent publications from the National Communications Association (NCA).