How did you become involved with AJHA?

One could say I’ve been a “lurker,” trolling work conducted by AJHA members for some time.  I’ve worked for years to frame archival material gifted to me by a family member (my grandmother), a lifetime journalist, editor and linotype operator. As someone with limited background in journalism history, AJHA seemed a great place to connect with some of the scholars who provided insights into  this academic area (and this proved to be accurate). Though I taught Intro to Journalism for a few years prior to a focus on communication/public relations, AJHA—and its conference—the Joint Journalism and Communication History Conference—provided a place for me to gain insight on academic work in journalism history, particularly on women journalists. 

What drew you to studying crisis and risk communication? How do you see those interests connecting to journalism history?

My doctorate at Purdue focused on public affairs and issue management under Dick Crable and Steve Vibbert, two early scholars in the field.  My work in crisis and risk communication has focused on the connections between public relations and emergency managers from a more pragmatic perspective, as students and I have worked to understand how emergency managers might foster improved risk and crisis messages using public relations principles. Besides this, I’m fascinated by work my thesis adviser, Dr. Denise Bostdorff, at Wooster College, has long conducted on Presidential crisis rhetoric. One goal of mine is future work grounded in crisis and risk communication history at a more local level. 

How have you seen the field change since you started your career?

The biggest and most obvious change in the field of crisis/risk communication has been social media, which has been both a blessing and the bane of emergency managers, as it requires another level of focus and expertise to convey emergency/risk/crisis messages via social media channels, but to monitor and respond to mis- and dis-information. Clearly, social media has changed the practice of crisis, emergency and risk communication, as authorities and practitioners face the complications of “unvetted” reports when striving to provide accurate information in real time so community members and others at risk can make informed decisions. 

What tips or advice do you have for others exploring similar topics, archives, or questions that you examine in your research?

Attend the conferences, read the journals, listen to the podcasts, and network with other scholars in the areas in which you want to learn more.  I also encourage “newbies” to volunteer, always an excellent way to meet other members, learn about their research, gain insights about the research process. AJHA members are generous in sharing their insights and tips around archival research, framing questions, and providing resources. 

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of academia?

Travel, cooking, reading, classical music, good theatre, engaging series (“Slow Horses,” “Inspector Ricciardi,” and “Where’s Wanda” have been recent favorites). Over break, my husband and I look forward to making sure we’ve seen all the Oscar-nominated films from 2024.

Theresa Russell-Loretz is an associate professor and former chair of the Department of Communication and Theatre at Millersville University. Russell-Loretz is also a former chair of the NCA Public Relations Division and currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Public Relations Research.