Virginia McDermott, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of Illinois, 2004  Office: Room 206	Assistant Professor Communication

Research:

As a scholar, I am interested in studying communication in a variety of interpersonal relationships and within a health communication context.  As a researcher, I am primarily committed to understanding how we can create more positive environments. To better understand this process, I have been focused on three main questions:
      (1) How do problematic events change the nature of relationships and conversations?
     (2) How can communication facilitate coping—in personal relationships, organizations, and communities?
     (3) How can communication be used to address health disparities and social inequities? 

Sample Publications:

• McDermott, V. M. (Forthcoming). "Interpersonal communication theories." In S. W. Littlejohn & K. A. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

• McDermott, V. M. (Forthcoming). "Attribution theory." In S. W. Littlejohn & K. A. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

• McDermott, V. M. (Forthcoming). "Validity and reliability." In S. W. Littlejohn & K. A. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

• McDermott, V.M., & Lutgen-Sandvik, P. (2009). "Communicating subtle messages: Creating hostile and supportive environments." In B. Brushan (Ed.), Communication in Perspectives (pp. 31-57). Germany: Amani.

• McDermott, V. M., Oetzel, J. G., & White, K. (2008). "Ethical paradoxes in community-based participatory research."  In M. Dutta-Bergman & H. A. Zoller (Eds.), Emerging perspective in health communication: Meaning, culture, and power (pp. 182-202). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum.

• Lutgen-Sandvik, P., & McDermott, V. M. (2008). "The constitution of employee-abusive organizations: A communication flows theory." Communication Theory, 18, 304-333.

Research Methods: I utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data that I work with is generally more qualitative in nature, including segments of conversations and interviews. However, I am interested in trends and frequencies, so I tend to use more quantitative methods to analyze the data.

Teaching Style: I thoroughly enjoy teaching. The study of communication is an especially important area of research that has the potential to improve our social and personal environments. For me, the goal of teaching is to first create a supportive learning atmosphere that encourages the exchange of ideas, then to present information in a way that stimulates others to think about and question the information. If done well, my students are influenced by the knowledge, confident in their ability, and willing to use their skills to address important issues.

Courses Taught:

• Organizational Training and Analysis (C&J 543/522)
• Interpersonal Communication Seminar (C&J 521)
• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (C&J 507)
• Foundations of Communication Theory (C&J 500)
• Communication in Relationships (C&J 421)
• International Perspectives in Health Communication (C&J 393)
• Interviewing Principles and Practices (C&J 344)          
• Communication in Professional Contexts (C&J 333)
• Persuasion (C&J 327)
• Mediation (C&J 320)
• Research Methods (C&J 301)
• Interpersonal Communication (C&J 221)

Why UNM?: The department had the three essential elements: (1) smart, interesting people, (2) doing good work that they enjoy, (3) who were also nice and collegial. The bonus was the great weather and scenery

Spare Time: Traveling, art, reading, and taking care of a big, hairy, sometimes ill-mannered dog.