The ICIR seeks external funding through federal and foundation grants, agency contracts and other sources to conduct research that addresses these organizations’ needs and to answer questions about the current communication and information landscape. In addition, the ICIR provides seed funding for pilot projects for researchers interested in seeking external funding.
Externally Funded Projects
Weathering the Storm: Evaluating Messaging in a Complex Information Environment after Water Crises
Principal Investigators: Anneliese C. Bolland, Kenon A. Brown and Matthew S. VanDyke
Funding Agency: Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology
This study examined the effectiveness of the previous advertising aimed at deterring individuals from approaching flood waters (the Turn Around Don’t Drown campaign) through reactive messaging and compared the effects to a new messaging approach, with emphasis on encouraging flood preparation and awareness through more proactive messaging.
A Caring Compass: Developing Ethical Guidelines for Navigating (Mis/Dis)information
Initiatives: Media Ethics and Credibility and Internal Communication and Engagement
Principal Investigators: Courtney D. Boman and Laura L. Lemon
Funding Agency: Arthur W. Page Center
This project aims to develop an ethical framework, grounded in the ethics of care, to guide strategic communication professionals in navigating and addressing misinformation and disinformation.
Saudi Arabia vs. The United States: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Olympic Media Use and Motivations
Initiative: Beyond Sports Initiative
Principal Investigators: Andrew C. Billings and Kenon A. Brown
Funding Agency: Saudi Olympic Academy
The purpose of this project is to compare the media habits among Saudi fans and American fans during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The Leadership Gap Study: Perceptions of Essential Skills and Abilities for Emerging Leaders
Principal Investigators: Kenon A. Brown, Karla Gower, Marlene Neill, Martina Topić
Funding Agency: Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
The purpose of this project will be to provide comparative insight into the perception and expectations regarding leadership development and training between established leaders and emerging leaders in the public relations field.
Advancing the Engagement Paradigm: Examining Stakeholder Disengagement and the Ethical Implications of Generative AI in Public Relations
Initiative: Internal Communication and Engagement
Principal Investigator: Laura L. Lemon
Funding Agency: Arthur W. Page Center
Through qualitative interviews and a national survey, this study will examine how factors such as relational authenticity, perceived responsiveness, and ethical concerns shape disengagement
ICIR-Funded Projects
Stigma from the Seats: An International Survey of Fan Attitudes toward Athlete Mental Health Disclosures
Initiative: Beyond Sports Initiative
Principal Investigator: Scott Parrott
A multinational survey was conducted to examine fans’ attitudes toward athlete disclosures of mental health by examining international and intercultural differences in four countries: Brazil, Germany, South Korea and the United States.
American and Australian Perspectives on Traveling to Venice, Italy Amidst an Environmental Crisis
Principal Investigator: Rachel A. Mayer
Using Situational Crisis Communication Theory, the purpose of this study is to analyze differences in American and Australian perspectives on the responsibility placed on the Italian government and willingness to travel to Venice, Italy amidst the city’s environmental crisis.
Human-GenAI Collaboration in News Production and Trust in Media
Initiative: Information Privacy and Policy
Principal Investigator: Jack Lipei Tang
This project will examine how the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in news production impacts public perceptions towards the message and the media, exploring how different modes of human-GenAI collaboration in news production influence public trust towards the messages and the news media.
Does Silence Speak? How Employees Interpret CSR-Hushing and Its Organizational Impact
Initiative: Media Ethics and Credibility
Principal Investigator: Dongjae Lim
This project examines how employees perceive and respond to “greenhushing,” a growing corporate communication strategy where firms intentionally stay silent about their environmental initiatives. Using a scenario-based experiment, we explore how employee attitudes and perceived CSR authenticity — are shaped by company–cause alignment and personal environmental values. The study aims to offer new insights into how silence, rather than messaging, can influence internal stakeholder engagement in sustainability efforts.