Expertise

In my research, I gravitate to communication (particularly conversational) challenges people face in ordinary (and no-so-ordinary) situations. I examine talk in ways that shape who we are and how we regard others. I have examined the talk in various situations such as crisis negotiation, 911 emergency telephone calls, psychic readings, doctor/patient relationships, and friends talking about their daily problems. For years, I have focused on the telephone negotiations between the FBI and a religious group known as the Branch Davidians that took place outside of Waco, TX in the Spring of 1993.

Research Interests

  • ways people talk in everyday situations that shape who they are and how they regard others, situations when such talk is challenging for the interactants
Communities
Communication
Degrees
PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder, Communication Studies, 2003
MA, University of Dayton, Communication Studies, 1994
BS, University of Dayton, Electrical Engineering, 1986
Keywords
communications