Dr. Kenon A. Brown
Director, ICIR
Dr. Kenon A. Brown is a professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations (A+PR) at the University of Alabama, As the ICIR’s director, Kenon is responsible for the day-to-day management of the institute to help achieve its mission and promote its efforts. His research interests focus on the role of identity in sports, specifically related to athlete image and reputation management and the media consumption of international competitions. He also examines minority recruitment and retention in mass communication.
Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Brown worked for eight years in restaurant management and marketing. Kenon has published more than 80 journal articles and book chapters. He has also co-authored one book and co-edited three books. Keeping with his practitioner roots, Kenon also consults with several local and regional organizations, specifically assisting with market research and strategic planning. He has worked closely in multiple capacities with several sport and entertainment organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, Twitch, FOX Sports, NASCAR and the Country Music Association.
Dr. Courtney D. Boman
Associate Director, ICIR
Dr. Courtney D. Boman is an assistant professor in The University of Alabama’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations. As the ICIR’s associate director, Courtney manages the ICIR’s scholarship communication efforts and supervises its student-managed content team. Her research interests center on the critical role of ethical public relations strategy in building credibility and maintaining trust in communication. Her work explores effective persuasion, new-media dynamics, and message strategies aimed at fostering clarity and combating the spread of falsehoods.
Drawing on six years of industry experience in marketing and public relations, Dr. Boman integrates academic rigor with practical insights. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards, including top paper accolades at the International Public Relations Research Conference. In addition, Courtney’s publications appear in leading journals such as Public Relations Review, Health Communication, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, and the Journal of Public Relations Research.
Julia Karpinsky
Content Strategist
Julia Karpinsky is a senior majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Creative Media. As the ICIR’s content strategist, Julia oversees the institute’s digital presence and storytelling strategy, managing content across social and digital media platforms to promote research initiatives, faculty achievements, events, and partnerships. She also manages the ICIR’s student content team, helping them translate the college’s scholarship into engaging, accessible content that showcases the impactful work of CCIS’s faculty, staff and students.
In addition to her work with ICIR, her professional interests center on strategic communication, content strategy, and entertainment and sports publicity, with a particular focus on digital storytelling and audience engagement. Julia has gained hands-on experience through internships and professional roles in public relations, event strategy, and content management, collaborating with national brands, media outlets, and creative organizations.