Statement on Scholarship

Beside my interest in teaching, research is a major part of my academic life. My multidisciplinary educational background and research training allow me to develop an integrative and critical scholarship. My main areas of research are in the domain of critical media studies, communication technology and society, and international public relations practices. As can be seen by the titles of my publications and conference presentations, I examine these issues in light of the relationship between developed and developing societies.

Conference Presentations

In my view, sharing one’s research with peers and colleagues through conferences and workshops is a worthwhile experience. In this regard, I seek opportunities to present at conventions organized by professional associations such as the National Communication Association (NCA), Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), and Intercultural Communication Association (ICA). I also share my scholarly works with my colleagues and students at SIUE. The papers focus primarily on my interdisciplinary research inquiry on issues of the international public relations, critical media studies, and public relations and the environment. They employ a broad range of methodologies such as interpretive and critical approaches to inquiry. The papers were presented in national conventions. Though I enjoy sharing my scholarly works with my peers and colleagues, it is sharing them with my students that I find most rewarding since my research ties directly to the areas that I teach.

Collaborative Research Efforts

I also seek opportunities to collaborate with my colleagues on productive scholarly endeavors. The most recent effort in this area relates to my work with Dr. Patrick Murphy, Chair of the Department of Mass Communication on an editored Media Transformations book submitted to SUNY press for review. I have also worked with colleagues from other departments in writing and receiving a Multidisciplinary Research Grant (MRG) from the Graduate School to conduct research on “Social Movements Across the Disciplines”. My particular interest in this collaborative work was to examine the role women have played in social movements in Africa. This project culminated in series of presentations to the SIUE community and in national conferences.

Scholarly Service to the Academic Discipline

In additon to the above endeavors, I take an active role in my discipline by serving as journal reviewer, a member of the Editorial Review Board of the International Journal of African & African-American Studies, and reviewed public relations manuscripts for Allyn and Bacon publishers. I continue to serve as conference paper reviewer and session moderator/respondent for the Public Relations Division and the International/Intercultural Communication Division of the National Communication Association.

Select Publications & Conference Papers

Blankson, Isaac A. (2000). -“Independent and Pluralistic Broadcast Development in Ghana: Perceptions of Audiences in Accra” Doctoral Dissertation, School of Telecommunications, Ohio University. November 2000.

Blankson, Isaac, A. (2005). Globalization, Pluralistic Media and Cultural Identity Transformation in Emerging African Democracies. International Journal of Communication 15 (1&2): 131-146.
This article discusses the transformation of African cultural and linguistic identities as a result of globalization and pluralistic media development).

Blankson, Isaac A & Murphy, Patrick (eds.) Globalization and Media Transformations in Emerging Democracies. (under review by SUNY Press).

Blankson, Isaac A. (2004). “Public Relations in an Emerging Democracy: The Case of Ghana.” In Tilson, D.J and Alozie, E.C (eds.) “Toward the Common Good: Perspectives in International Public Relation.” Allyn & Bacon. pp. 300-320
This book provides an international view of the evolution, current status, and impact of public relations profession in emerging democracies. My chapter examines the evolution of public relations in Ghana. It was a culmination of several years of investigation into the changing nature of public relations practices in newly democratic societies like Ghana.

Blankson, Isaac A. (Fall, 2002). Re-examining Civil Society in Emerging Sub-Sahara African
Democracies: The State, the Media, and the Public in Ghana. Global Media Journal Vol.1(1).
(http://www.globalmediajournal.com).
This was an invited article that challenges media and civil society scholars to rethink their negative characterization of civil institutions in emerging democracies of contemporary sub-Sahara Africa.

Blankson, Isaac A. (in review) Negotiating the Use of Native Languages in Emerging Independent Broadcast Systems in Africa. Manuscript Submitted to Africa Media Review.

Blankson, Isaac A. (in review) Language and Cultural Sensitivity in Broadcasting Reforms in Emerging Democracies; Ghana. Journal of Radio Studies.

Blankson, Isaac A. (2004). Partnering Practitioners in PR Education: Student Perceptions and Knowledge Use. Presented at the Public Relations Division Panel: Best Practices in Partnering Practitioners and Public Relations Educators Part II, National Communication Association
(NCA) Convention, Chicago, Illinois, November 2004.

Blankson, Isaac A. (2004). Regional Responses on International Property Regimes: Intellectual Property Rights – Africa. Presented at the 2004 Global Fusion Conference: Strife in the Global Village, St. Louis, Missouri, October 29-31, 2004.

Perkins, Laura & Blankson, Isaac A. (2003). Reaching Out to Sell Out: Pharm Phantasies and Shell Games in Global Environmental Practices. Presented at the Environmental Communication Commission Paper Session: Global Environmental Communication, National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Miami, Florida. November 2003.

Blankson, Isaac A. (2003). Client Based Approaches to Teaching Public Relations. Presented at the Public Relations Division Thematic Program Panel: Best Practices in Partnering Practitioners and Public Relations Educators, National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Miami, Florida, November 2003.

Blankson, Isaac A. (2003). Nuances in Teaching Diversity and Intercultural Communication as an International and Minority Faculty. Presented at the Training and Development Division Thematic Program Panel: Pedagogical Issues in Teaching Diversity: Lessons for the Trainer, National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Miami, Florida. November 2003.

Blankson, Isaac A. (2003). Globalization, Information Control and Social Power: Update from Sub-Saharan Africa. Presented at International and Intercultural Communication Division Panel Session: Globalization, Information Control and Social Power: Regional Updates from Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Miami, Florida, November 2003.

Blankson, Isaac A. (August, 2002). “Language and Cultural Sensitivity in Broadcasting Reforms in Emerging Democracies.” Paper presented at the annual AEJMC Convention, Miami Beach, Florida.

Blankson, Isaac A. (October, 2001). “Public Relations in an Emerging Democracy: The Case of Ghana” Paper presented at the Department of Speech Communication Colloquium, SIUE.

Blankson, Isaac A. (October, 2001). “Role of Independent Media in Building Civil Society and
Democracy in Africa.” Paper presented at the Global Fusion 2001 Conference: Mass Media, Free Trade and Alternative Responses. St. Louis, MO.

Blankson, Isaac A. (March, 2001). “Media Commercialization and Cultural Identity: The Emergence of LAFA in Ghana’s Broadcasting Reforms.” Presentation at the annual Intercultural Communication Conference, Miami, Florida, March.

Blankson, Isaac A. (March, 2001). “Global Business and International Public Relations Practices: Issues, Challenges and Implications.” Presented at the Fifth CAS Colloquium: Celebrating
Scholarly and Creative Activity. Peck Hall, SIUE.

Blankson, Isaac A. (February, 2001). “Diaspora and Media Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Paper presented at Department of Speech Communication Colloquium, SIUE.

Blankson, Isaac A. (November, 2000). “Foreignization of Broadcasting and Cultural Identity:
Independent and Pluralistic Broadcasting Development in Ghana.” Presented at the annual conference of the National Communication Association, Seattle, WA.

Blankson, Isaac A. (November, 2000). “The Shell Game: Public Relations’ Practices in Developing Countries.” Presented at the annual conference of the National Communication Association,
Seattle, WA.

Blankson, Isaac A. (May 1999). “African Images in Western Media: A Critical Cultural Analysis of the Feed the Children Program.” Presented at the interactive session at the 49th Annual International Communications Association Conference, San Francisco, CA, May 1999.

Blankson, Isaac A. (August 1999). “Representation of Women in African Magazines.” Paper presented at the 80th Annual Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Chicago, July 30-Aug. 2, 1997.

Blankson, Isaac A. (April 1996). “African Images in Western Media: Implications for Africa’s Development.” Paper presented at the 11th African Educational Research Symposium, Ohio
University, Athens, Ohio, April 1996.

Blankson, Isaac A. (April 1993).“Resettlement Agriculture in the Afram Plains of Ghana.” Masters thesis submitted to the Department of Geography. Oslo University, Oslo, Norway. August 1993.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Understanding International Public Relations: Principles, Theory and Practice. (textbook for both Public Relations education and professional use - in progress).

“Globalization, Media and Public Relations Evolution in Developing Countries.” (article for publication)

“Legal Advice, Public Relations and Crisis Management; A Dilemma for Public Relations Effectiveness”

“Cultural Issues in International Public Relations”

Manuscripts under Review

“Language and Cultural Sensitivity in Broadcasting Reforms in Ghana” submitted to the Journal of Radio Studies. This paper criticizes the continued adoption of European colonial languages as the predominant broadcast language in developing countries that are reforming their media systems.

“Negotiating the Use of Native Languages in Emerging Independent Broadcast Systems in Africa” being reviewed by the Africa Media Review.

Invited Presentations and Workshops

The U.S. Media and Foreign Policy, Dialogue with Senior Citizens, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, February 4, 2004

Transnational Media: The Case of Sub Sahara Africa, Transnational Media Class, Dept. of Mass Communication, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, September 2004.

Toward Social Equality and Empowerment: Women Movements in African Civil Society (panelist), Black History Month Presentation Series, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, February 19, 2004.

Global Environmental Practice and the Natural Limits of Public Trust, College of Arts & Sciences Colloquium, SIUE, March 26, 2003

Race Matters: Reframing Diversity for the 21st Century, Center for Racial Harmony, Swansea, Illinois, October 14, 2003.

Speaking with Confidence, The Florists Mutual Insurance Company, Edwardsville, Illinois, October 7, 2003.

Facilitating Communication Across Cultures: A Workshop for Faculty and Students on Effective Communication. Excellence in Learning and Teaching Initiative, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, April 11, 2003.

Self Motivation as a Tool for Success, Project Positive Force Summer Enrichment Program for 4th Graders, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Church of the Living God, June 4, 2003.

Report on SIUE New Faculty Orientation, Board Academic Matters Committee/Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville,2003.

How to Use Technology Effectively to Enhance Classroom Teaching, Department of Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, November 1, 2002.

I Have to Do What? Assigning and Grading Classroom Presentation” Excellence in Teaching Initiative, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, November 20, 2002.

Media in Emerging Democracies of Sub Sahara Africa, Transnational Media Class, Dept. of Mass Communication, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, September 2003, 2002 and 2001.

Excellence in Learning and Teaching (panelist), New Faculty Orientation, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, August 6, 2002 & August 7, 2001.

Global Business and International Public Relations Practices: Issues, Challenges and Implications, College of Arts and Sciences Colloquium, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, March 2001.

The Arts of the Akan, Art History Class, Department of Art and Design, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, February, 2001.

Public Relations in an Emerging Democracy: The Case of Ghana, Department of Speech Communication Colloquium, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, October 2001.

Diaspora and Media Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, Department of Speech Communication Colloquium, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, February 2001.

A Journey of Self Realization and Empowerment, First Annual “Teach For a Day” Program, East St. Louis Charter School, July 2001.