Courtney D. Boman, Ph.D.
University of Missouri, 2020
Associate Director of ICIR

Director, Media Ethics and Credibility
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 collaborates with the director to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to help the institute pursue collaborative efforts and external funding. In addition, as the director of the Media Ethics and Credibility initiative, her research centers 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 research examines how strategic communication can be used to promote accurate information, reduce resistance to truthful messaging, and proactively build resilience against deceptive narratives. 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. Her research is dedicated to advancing research and educational programs that equip practitioners and the public with the tools to champion ethical communication practices and navigate the evolving media landscape with discernment.