Communication Studies at the University of Kansas

Feeling too tired or busy to reach out to friends? You’re not alone.

Dr. Jeff Hall has more great insights on why making time for the people in our lives matters, and how even small efforts to connect can make a difference. Check out his latest insights in CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/07/people-too-tired-to-reach-out-to-friends.html

Social isolation can inhibit your wellbeing and success. ‘You need to make time for people,’ says expert 'You need to find ways around' these barriers, says professor of communication at Kansas University Jeffrey Hall.

Looking for something to listen to with your morning coffee? Dr. Robin Rowland recently joined The Arlene Bynon Show to discuss President Trump's rhetoric toward Canada.

Robert Rowland & More | SiriusXM Canada Should Canada hit back dollar-for-dollar or stay above the fray? Arlene explores the debate dividing Canadians as Trump's insults pile up. Plus, the Iran war's toll on US military resources, Mark Carney's polling lead, and what it all means for our future.

From trade wars and threats of making Canada the 51st state to delaying the opening of a cross-border bridge, President Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted America's northern neighbor. Why does Canada remain such a frequent focus of his rhetoric, and what are the political implications?

Watch Dr. Robin Rowland break it down in his conversation with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation):

Why does Trump keep attacking Canada? From a trade war, to threats of becoming the 51st state, to delaying the opening of a cross-border bridge, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly sets his sights on his northern neighbour. Power & Politics speaks to rhetoric and political communication professor Robert C. Rowland about Trump's probl...

In honor of National Friendship Day, check out this recent feature highlighting Dr. Jeff Hall's research on the evolving nature of friendship and social connection.

People still have as many friends, just changing how they prioritize time As National Friendship Day nears, research shows there may not be a loneliness epidemic.

Can an app fix the 'friendship recession'? Dr. Jeff Hall tackled this timely question on NPR's Weekend Edition this past Saturday, sharing insights on friendship, connection, and the role of technology in our social lives. Check out the interview here:

Can an app fix the 'friendship recession'? Amidst what some researchers call a "friendship recession," apps and services have been proliferating to connect people. We hear from people who have used them reflect on what about them has worked or hasn't.

We're proud to celebrate KU COMS's own Dr. Meggie Mapes, who presented at TEDxKC last Friday at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. In her talk, she explored the relationship between communication and violence, disrupting and accountability for perpetuating harm, and how these lessons apply beyond the prison walls.

University of Kansas professor explores how men are taught to communicate with violence Men learn violence as a means of communication at an early age, according to University of Kansas associate professor Meggie Mapes. So how do we get men to change their behavior? Mapes will speak at TEDxKC on Friday about her research into male prison inmates with a history of partner violence.

Effects of Empathetic Responses, Agent Identity, and Gender Match on Users’ Self-Disclosure of Depression and Perceptions in Human–Chatbot Interactions This experimental study examined how a chatbot’s response style (empathetic versus informative), agent identity (generic versus anthropomorphized), and gender match (same versus different user/chat...

Please join us in congratulating COMS Ph.D. candidate Jojo Li on successfully defending her comprehensive exams on June 4!