Department of Communication Challenge Award Communication

Javonna Friend is a second-year Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Communication. Javonna’s primary research interests focus on the psychological aspects of media use and its effects. Specifically, she is interested in examining the presumed influence of media messages, audience reception of media messages, parasocial relationships with media figures, and issues related to media, mental health, and well-being. In addition, she is also interested in examining connections between health communication, public advocacy, and social justice that influence maternal health outcomes among Black women due partly to intersectional oppressions and exposure to adverse social determinants of health. Javonna was awarded the Mentoring for Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Grant to conduct a study examining the relationship between participatory digital media and deep histories of underrepresentation of Black people in legacy or mainstream media. She recently presented her findings for part one of the study at the 2024 Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) National Conference.