Research Centers

One of the most successful ways to link communication scholarship to the interests of other disciplines and the community at large is through a departmentally located Research Center. Most often with the goal of providing opportunities for scholars, students, and community leaders to share information and benefit from each others expertise and knowledge, the Research Center provides a distinct locale to organize the endeavors of those within and outside the academy.

• The Center for Communication and Civic Engagement is dedicated to research, the creation of citizen resources, and student-designed learning experiences that develop new areas of positive citizen involvement in politics and social life. The primary focus is to understand how new information technologies can supplement more traditional forms of communication to facilitate civic engagement. Overseen by Professor W. Lance Bennett, the center’s faculty and students fosters original research, create new educational programs, collaborate on policy recommendations and provide resources for students, scholars, journalists and the public.

• The Dart Center is a global network of journalists, journalism educators, and health professionals dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma, conflict, and tragedy. The Center also addresses the consequences of such coverage for those working in journalism. Dr. Roger Simpson and Dr. Meg Spratt of the UW Department of Communication serve as the Executive Director and Research Coordinator respectively, engaging in much of the day-to-day workings of the Center.

• Jury and Democracy Project – Developed by John Gastil, this Web site provides a plethora of materials to individuals interested in the impact that jury service has on citizens. The site provides access to the people behind the project, writings, data on juries, general background on the project, and other links of interest. Visitors can also subscribe to a periodic newsletter with updates.

• September11.archive.org – Kirsten Foot helped develop this site which includes analyses and a compilation of the Web spheres that developed around the events of September 11, 2001.

• Tsunami.archive.org – Also led by Kirsten Foot, this Web archive is a collection of over 1,500 sites relating to the December 2004 Tsunami disaster in Asia.