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Washington State University
Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
About / Contact and Connect

Erica Austin

  1. Director of the Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion Research
  2. Professor
  3. Graduate Faculty
Email Addresseaustin@wsu.edu
LocationGoertzen Hall 212
Phone509-335-8840

Biography

Biography

Erica Weintraub Austin (Ph.D., Stanford University) is dedicated to collaborative efforts to help people use media to make decisions best for themselves and their communities. Her research focuses on how media literacy can facilitate healthier decision making about health and civic affairs among children, adolescents, and adults.

Austin leads the Edward R. Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion Research in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. She is a fellow in the International Communication Association. She served as University Vice Provost for Academic Affairs from 2013-2019 and during 2015-2016 as Interim Co-Provost.

She is ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for “Lifetime Impact” in Communication and Media Studies, Public Health according to the Elsevier Data Repository, Oct 2023.

She is an “adopted Cougar” by the WSU Alumni Association, the proud Coug wife of a WSU post-graduate alum, and the proud Coug Mom of a 2018 WSU graduate.

Education

  • Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA: Ph.D., Communication, 1989; A.M., Communication, 1988
  • George Washington University, Washington, D.C.: B.A., special honors in journalism and an emphasis in the arts, 1982

Classes Taught

Erica Austin has taught undergraduate courses in strategic communication and in Media and Youth, and graduate courses in communication theory and specialty areas such as Media Literacy, Media and Youth, and Health Promotion Campaigns.

Research Interests

Erica Weintraub Austin is dedicated to collaborative efforts that help people use media to make decisions best for themselves and their communities. She focuses on how media literacy can facilitate healthier decision making about health and civic affairs among children, adolescents, and adults. Her research on media literacy is widely cited and her Message Interpretation Process Model for theorizing a process for explaining media literacy intervention effects is featured in single studies and in meta-analyses that have demonstrated the empirical evidence for media literacy’s value across types of content (not just advertising) and as an empowering skill for youth, adults and families.

Awards

  • Ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for “Lifetime Impact” in Communication and Media Studies, Public Health (Elsevier Data Repository, Oct 2023)
  • Fellow, International Communication Association, Inducted 2021. https://www.icahdq.org/page/Fellows
  • Samuel H. Smith Leadership Award, Washington State University, 2009.
  • Public Relations Educator of the Year, 2004, Greater Spokane Area Public Relations Association.
  • Krieghbaum Under-40 Award, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2001, Washington, D.C.

Selected Publications

* indicates coauthor was a WSU student

Refereed Journal Articles Published

  • Kaiser, C.K., Edwards, Z. & Austin, E.W. (2024). Media Literacy Practices to Prevent Obesity and Eating Disorders in Youth. Current Obesity Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00547-8
  • Borah, P., Lorenzano, K., Yel, E., & Austin, E. (2023) Social Cognitive Theory and Willingness to Perform Recommended Health Behavior: The Moderating Role of Misperceptions, Journal of Health Communication, https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2023.2282035
  • Kaiser, C. K., Austin, E. W., & Edwards, Z. (2023, in press). Media literacy practices to prevent obesity and eating disorders in youth. Current Obesity Reports.
  • Borah, P., Austin, E., & Su, Y. (2023) Injecting disinfectants to kill the virus: media literacy, information gathering sources, and the moderating role of political ideology on misperceptions about covid-19, Mass Communication and Society, 26:4, 566-592, https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2022.2045324
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W. Power, T. G, Parker, L., Kaiser, C. K., Edwards, Z. (2023). Youth perspectives on the effects of a family-centered media literacy intervention to encourage healthier eating. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2160078
  • Austin, E. W., Borah, P., Austin, B. W., Smith, C. L., Amram, O., Domgaard, S., McPherson, S. M., Willoughby, J. F. (2022). Media literacy’s role in the mitigation of disinformation effects on substance misuse. Journal of Substance Use. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2023.2183150
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Borah, P., Domgaard, S., & McPherson, S. M. (2022). How media literacy, trust of experts and flu vaccine behaviors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171221132750
  • Borah, P., Austin, E. W., & Lee, K. L. (2022). COVID-19 vaccine intention and social cognitive theory: The role of individual responsibility and partisan media use in a moderated moderated mediation model. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2114766
  • Borah P, Lorenzano K, Vishnevskaya A, Austin E. (2022). Conservative media use and COVID-19 related behavior: The moderating role of media literacy variables. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,19(13):7572. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137572
  • Deng, D. S., Seo, S., Li, Z., & Austin, E. W. (2022). What people TikTok (Douyin) about influencer-endorsed short videos on wine? An exploration of gender and generational differences. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13, 4, 683-698. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-05-2021-0143
  • Borah, P., Austin, E., & Su., Y. (2023). Injecting disinfectants to kill the virus: Media literacy, information gathering sources, and the moderating role of political ideology on misperceptions about COVID-19. Mass Communication and Society, 26(4), 566-592, https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2022.2045324
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Willoughby, J., Amram, O., & Domgaard, S.* (2021). How media literacy and science media literacy predicted the adoption of protective behaviors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, 26, pp. 239-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1899345.
  • Austin, E. W., Borah, P., & Domgaard, S.* (2021). COVID-19 disinformation and political engagement among communities of color: The role of media literacy. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review. 1, 7 https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-58
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Kaiser, C. K.*, Edwards, Z.*, Parker, L., & Power, T. (2020). A media literacy-based nutrition program fosters parent-child food marketing discussions, improves home food environment and youth consumption of fruits and vegetables. Childhood Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2019.0240
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Kaiser, C. K.* (2020). Effects of family-centered media literacy training on family nutrition outcomes. Prevention Science, 21(3), 308-318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-020-01101-x
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., French, B. F., & Cohen, M. A. (2018). The effects of a nutrition media literacy intervention on parents’ and youths’ communication about food. Journal of Health Communication, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2018.1423649
  • Austin, E. W., Muldrow, A.*, & Austin, B.W. (2016). Examining how media literacy and personality factors predict skepticism toward alcohol advertising. Journal of Health Communication, 21(5), 600-609. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2016.1153761
  • Hoffman, E. W., Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, B. W. (2016). An exploration of the associations of alcohol-related social media use and message interpretation outcomes to problem drinking among college students. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2016.1195677
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Chen, Y.*, & Austin, B. W.* (2015). Processing of sexual media messages improves due to media literacy effects on perceived message desirability. Mass Communication and Society, 18, 399-421. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2014.1001909
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., Radanielina-Hita, M. L.*, & Ran, W.* (2015). The role of parents’ critical thinking about media in shaping expectancies, efficacy and nutrition behaviors for families. Health Communication, 30(12), 1256-1268. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2014.930550
  • Hoffman, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Reyes-Velázquez, W. (2014). Exploring college students’ use of general and alcohol-related social media and their associations to alcohol-related behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 62, 328-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2014.902837
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Chen, Y.*, & Cohen, M. (2013). Assessing effects of a media literacy-based intervention on U.S. adolescents’ responses to and interpretations of sexual media messages. Journal of Children and Media, 7, 1748-2801. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2013.781512
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, B. W., & Van de Vord, R.* (2012). The relationships of information efficacy and media literacy skills to knowledge and self-efficacy for health-related decision making. Journal of American College Health, 60, 548-554. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2012.726302
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Zhou, Y.*, Willoughby, J. F.*, & Reiser, M.* (2012). Perceptions of news media, external efficacy, and public affairs apathy in political decision making and disaffection. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 89, 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699011428586
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Chen, Y.*, & Cohen, M. (2012). The role of media literacy in shaping adolescents’ understanding of and responses to sexual portrayals in mass media. Journal of Health Communication, 17, 460-476. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.635770
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Van de Vord, R.* (2010). The role of realism, similarity and expectancies in adolescents’ interpretation of abuse-prevention messages. Health Communication, 25, 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410231003698937
  • Kupersmidt, J. B., Scull, T. M., & Austin E. W. (2010). Media literacy education for elementary school substance use prevention: Study of media detective. Pediatrics, 126, 525-531. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0068
  • Kistler, M.*, Rodgers, K. B., Power, T., Austin, E. W., & Hill, L. G. (2010). Adolescents and music media: Toward an involvement-mediational model of consumption and self-concept. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20(3), 616-630. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00651.x
  • Austin, E. W., Van de Vord, R., Pinkleton, B. E., & Epstein, E.* (2008). Celebrity endorsements and their potential to motivate young voters. Mass Communication & Society, 11, 420-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205430701866600
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E., W., Cohen, M., Chen, Y.*, & Fitzgerald, E. (2008). Effects of a peer-led media literacy curriculum on adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes toward sexual behavior and media portrayals of sex. Health Communication, 23, 462-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410230802342135
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Funabiki, R. P. (2007). The desirability paradox in the effects of media literacy training. Communication Research, 34, 483-506. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650207305233
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Hust, S. J. T. (2007). The locus of message meaning: differences between trained coders and untrained message recipients in the analysis of alcoholic beverage advertising. Communication Methods & Measures, 1, 91-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/19312450701399354
  • Pinkleton, B. P., Austin, E. W., Cohen, M., Miller, A.*, & Fitzgerald, E. (2007). A state-wide evaluation of the effectiveness of media literacy to prevent tobacco use among adolescents. Health Communication, 21, 23-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410230701283306
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Van de Vord, R.*, Arganbright, M.*, & Chen, Y.* (2006). Channel One and effectiveness of media literacy. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 10(3), 115.
  • Austin, E. W., Chen, Y.*, Pinkleton, B. E., & Quintero Johnson, J.* (2006). The benefits and costs of Channel One in a middle school setting and the role of media literacy training. Pediatrics, 117, e423-e433. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-0953
  • Austin, E. W., Chen, M., & Grube, J. W. (2006). How does alcohol advertising influence underage drinking? The role of desirability, identification and skepticism. Journal of Adolescent Health 38, 376-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.08.017
  • Austin, E. W., & Hust, S. J. T. (2005). Targeting adolescents? The content and frequency of alcohol and nonalcohol beverage ads on magazine and video formats November 1999-April 2000. Journal of Health Communication, 10, 769-785. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730500326757
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Hust, S. J. T., & Cohen, M. (2005). Evaluation of American Legacy Foundation/Washington State Department of Health media literacy pilot study. Health Communication, 18 (1), 75-95. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327027hc1801_4
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2004). Media perceptions and public affairs apathy in the politically inexperienced. Mass Communication & Society, 7, 319-337. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327825mcs0703_4
  • Fujioka, Y.*, & Austin, E. W. (2003). The implications of vantage point in parental mediation of television and child’s attitudes toward drinking alcohol. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 47(3), 418-434. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15506878jobem4703_6
  • Austin, E. W., & Chen, Y.* (2003). The relationship of parental reinforcement of media messages to college students’ alcohol-related behaviors. Journal of Health Communication, 8, 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730305688
  • Fujioka, Y.,* & Austin, E. W. (2002). The relationship of family communication patterns to parental mediation styles. Communication Research, 29, 642-665. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365002237830
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2002). Exploring relationships among media use frequency, perceived media importance and media satisfaction in political disaffection and efficacy. Mass Communication & Society, 5, 141-164. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327825MCS0502_3
  • Pinkleton, B. P., Um, N.*, & Austin, E. W. (2002). An exploration of the effects of negative political advertising on political decision making. Journal of Advertising, 3(1), 13-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2002.10673657
  • Andsager, J. L., Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2002). Gender as a variable in interpretation of alcohol-related messages, Communication Research, 29, 246-269. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650202029003002
  • Austin, E. W., Miller, A. R.*, Silva, S.*, Guerra, P.*, Geisler, N.*, Gamboa, L.*, Phakakayai, O.*, & Kuechle, B.* (2002). The effects of increased awareness on college students’ interpretations of magazine advertisements for alcohol. Communication Research, 29, 155-179. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650202029002003
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2001). Individual motivations, perceived media importance, and political disaffection. Political Communication, 18, 321-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584600152400365
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Fujioka, Y. (2001). The relationship of perceived beer ad and PSA quality on high school students’ alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 45, 575-597. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15506878jobem4504_3
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2001). The role of parental mediation in the political socialization process. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 45, 221-240. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15506878jobem4502_2
  • Andsager, J. L., Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2001). Questioning the value of realism: Young adults’ processing of messages in alcohol-related public service announcements and advertising. Journal of Communication, 51, 121-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2001.tb02875.x
  • Austin, E. W., & Knaus, C.* (2000). Predicting the potential for risky behavior among those ‘too young’ to drink, as the result of appealing advertising. Journal of Health Communication, 5, 13-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/108107300126722
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Fujioka, Y.* (2000). The role of interpretation processes and parental discussion in the media’s effects on adolescents’ use of alcohol. Pediatrics, 105(2), 343 349. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.105.2.343
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Dixon, A.* (2000). Barriers to public relations program research. Journal of Public Relations Research, 12, 235-253. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532754XJPRR1203_2
  • Knaus, C. S.*, Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2000). The ability of the AIDS Quilt to motivate information seeking, personal discussion and behavior as a health communication intervention. Health  Communication, 12, 301-316. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327027HC1203_05
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. & Fujioka, Y.* (1999). Assessing pro-social message effectiveness: Effects of message quality, production quality and persuasiveness. Journal of Health Communication, 4, 195-210.
  • Austin, E. W. & Pinkleton, B. E. (1999). The relation between media content evaluations and political disaffection. Mass Communication & Society, 2, 105-122.
  • Knaus, C. S.*, & Austin, E. W. (1999). The AIDS Memorial Quilt as preventative education: A developmental analysis of the Quilt. AIDS Education and Prevention, 11, 525-540.
  • Fortman, K. K. J.*, Clarke, T. L.*, & Austin, E. W. (1998). Let’s talk about what we’re watching: Parental mediation of children’s television viewing. Communication Research Reports 15, 413-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824099809362141
  • Austin, E. W., Bolls, P.*, Fujioka, Y.*, & Engelbertson, J.* (1999). How and why parents take on the tube. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 43, 175-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159909364483
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Dixon, A. L.* (1999). Orientations in public relations research and campaign evaluation. Journal of Marketing Communications, 5, 85-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/135272699345680
  • Austin, E. W., Knaus, C.*, & Meneguelli, A.* (1998). Who talks how to their kids about TV: A clarification of demographic correlates of parental mediation patterns. Communication Research Reports, 14, 418-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824099709388685
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Fortman, K. K. J.* (1998). Relationships of media use and political disaffection to political efficacy and voting behavior. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 42, 34-49. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159809364433
  • Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1997). Immediate and delayed effects of media literacy training on third graders’ decision making for alcohol. Health Communication, 9, 323-349. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327027hc0904_3
  • Bolls, P.*, Tan, A., & Austin, E. (1997). An exploratory comparison of Native American and Caucasian students’ attitudes toward teachers’ communicative behavior and toward school. Communication Education, 46, 198-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634529709379091
  • Austin, E. W. & Freeman, C.* (1997). Effects of media, parents and peers on African-American adolescents’ efficacy toward media celebrities. Howard Journal of Communication, 8, 275-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646179709361759
  • Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1997). Effects of general and alcohol-specific media literacy training on children’s affinity for alcohol. Journal of Health Communication, 2, 17-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/108107397127897
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (1995). Positive and negative effects of political disaffection on the less experienced voter. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 39, 215-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159509364300
  • Austin, E. W. & Meili, H. K.* (1994). Effects of interpretations of televised alcohol portrayals on children’s alcohol beliefs. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 38, 417-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159409364276
  • Austin, E. W. & Dong, Q.* (1994). Source v. content effects on judgments of news believability. Journalism Quarterly, 71, Winter, 973-983. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769909407100420
  • Austin, E. W. & Nach-Ferguson, B. N.* (1995). Sources and influences of young school-age children’s general and brand-specific knowledge about alcohol. Health Communication, 7, 1-20.
  • Austin, E. W. (1993). The importance of perspective in parent-child interpretations of family communication patterns. Journalism Quarterly, 70, 558-568. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769909307000308
  • Austin, E. W. & Nelson, C. L.* (1993). Influences of ethnicity, family communication and media on adolescents’ socialization to U.S. politics. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 37, 419-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159309364233
  • Austin, E. W. (1993). Exploring the effects of active parental mediation of television content. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 37, 147-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159309364212
  • Austin, E. W. (1992). Dialogue: Parent-child TV interaction: The importance of perspective. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 36, 359-361. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838159209364184
  • Austin, E. W., Roberts, D. F., & Nass, C. I. (1990). Influences of family communication on children’s television interpretation processes. Communication Research, 17, 545-564. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365090017004008

Refereed Books

  • Austin, E. W. & Pinkleton, B. E. (2015). Strategic public relations management: Planning and managing effective communication campaigns, third edition. Routledge. First edition published in 2001; second edition published in 2006.

Refereed Book Chapters

  • Austin, E. W., & Domgaard, S. (2022). Processes and impacts of political socialization. In D. Lemish (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Children, Adolescents and Media, 2nd Ed., chapter 33. New York: Routledge. https:// ISBN 9780367633356
  • Kaiser, C. K., & Austin, E. W. (2020). Advertising Message Interpretation Processes. In J. Van den Bulck (Ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2016). The Viability of Media Literacy in Reducing the Influence of Misleading Media Messages on Young People’s Decision-Making Concerning Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Substances. Current Addiction Reports, 3(2), 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0100-4
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2014). Using continuous-response feedback to distinguish perceptions of effectiveness from actual effectiveness in adolescents’ reactions to anti-tobacco advertising. In Kandi L. Walker, Stuart L. Esrock, and Joy L. Hart (Eds.), Talking Tobacco: Interpersonal, Organizational, and Mediated Messages (pp. 157-171). New York: Peter Lang.
  • Austin, E. W. (2013). Processes and impacts of political socialization. In D. Lemish (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Children, Adolescents and Media, pp. 264-270. New York: Routledge.
  • Chen, Y., & Austin, E. W. (2012). The role of parental mediation in the development of media literacy and the prevention of substance use. In E. Scharrer (Ed.), Media Effects/Media Psychology (International Companion to Media Studies), Vol. V, Media Effects/Media Psychology, chapter 32, pp. 1-19. Blackwell-Wiley Publishing. doi: 10.1002/9781444361506.wbiems137
  • Austin, E. W., Hust, S. J. T., & Kistler, M. E. (2009). Powerful media tools: Arming parents with strategies to affect children’s interactions with commercial interests. Parents and children communicating with society: Managing relationships outside of home, 215-240.
  • Hust, S. J., Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Chen, Y. (2009). Beer advertising in magazines and its effects on adolescents. In V. R. Preedy & R. R. Watson (Eds.), Beer in health and disease prevention Academic Press-Elsevier.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (1998). Media and participation: Breaking the spiral of disaffection. In T. J. Johnson, C. E. Hays & S. P. Hays (Eds.), Engaging the Public: How Government and the Media Can Reinvigorate American Democracy (pp. 75-86). Boulder, Co: Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Austin, E. W. (1995). Direct and indirect influences of parent-child communication norms on adolescent’s tendencies to take preventive measures for AIDS and drug abuse. In G. Kreps and Dan O’Hair (Eds.), Relational Communication and Health Outcomes (pp. 163-183). SCA Applied Communication Series.

Invited Book Chapters

  • Austin, E. W., Kallman, D. I.*, & Kistler, M. (2017). Media literacy approaches for improving youth and family health. In (B. D. Abreu, P. Mihailidis, A. Y. L. Lee, J. Melki, and J. McDougall), The International Handbook of Media Literacy Education. Routledge.
  • Austin, E. W. and Kistler, M. (2016). Family Mediation of Children’s Media/Internet Use. In C. R. Berger, M. E. Roloff, S. R. Wilson, J. P. Dillard, J. Caughlin, and D. Solomon (Eds.), The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication. 1–10. John Wiley & Sons. doi 10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic0245
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2016). Media literacy. In D. K. Kim and J. Dearing (Eds.), Health Communication Research Measures (pp. 65-76). New York: Peter Lang.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2016). Negative political advertising. In G. H. Stempel & T. K. Hargrove (Eds.), The 21st Century Voter: Who votes, how they vote and why they vote (pp. 298-300). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2016). News media consumption and political decision making. In G. H. Stempel & T. K. Hargrove (Eds.), The 21st Century Voter: Who votes, how they vote and why they vote (pp. 304-306). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
  • Pinkleton, B. E, & Austin, E. W. (2015). Media consumption and political decision making. The 21st Century Voter: An encyclopedia of political of who votes, how they vote and why they vote. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
  • Pinkleton, B. E, & Austin, E. W. (2015). Negative political advertising. The 21st Century Voter: An encyclopedia of political of who votes, how they vote and why they vote. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
  • Pinkleton, B. E, & Austin, E. W. (2015). Political cynicism. The 21st Century Voter: An encyclopedia of political of who votes, how they vote and why they vote. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
  • Austin, E. W. (2013). A bicycle riding theory of media literacy. In Silverblatt, A., The Praeger Handbook of Media Literacy [2 Volumes], pp. 538-43. (ABC-Clio).
  • Austin, E.W. (2008). Using receiver-oriented message analysis to measure media content: Lessons from alcohol advertising. In D. Kunkel, A. Jordan, J. Manganello & M. Fishbein (Eds.), Media Messages and Public Health: A Decisions Approach to Content Analysis. Routledge.
  • Austin, E. W. (2008). Apathy. In L. L. Kaid & C. Holtz-Bacha (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Political Communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Austin, E. W. (2007). Family communication patterns. In J.J. Arnett (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Austin, E. W. (2007). Coviewing. In J.J. Arnett (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Austin, E. W. (2007). Parental mediation. In J.J. Arnett (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Austin, E. W. (2007). The Message Interpretation Process model. In J.J. Arnett (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Austin, E.W., & Pinkleton, B.E. (2007). Alcohol advertising, effects of. In J. Arnett (Eds.), Encyclopedia of children, adolescents, and the media, vol. 1 (pp 90-92).
  • Austin, E. W. (2001). Effects of family communication on children’s interpretation of television. In J. Bryant & J. A. Bryant (Eds.), Television and the American Family, 2nd Ed. (pp. 377-396). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Austin, E. W. (1995). Reaching young audiences: Developmental considerations in designing health messages. In R. Parrott & E. Maibach (Eds.), Designing Health Messages: Approaches from Communication Theory and Public Health Practice (pp. 114-144). Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

Reports and Curriculum

  • Austin, E. W. (2023) The Media Literacy Theory of Change Model. Published in Alphabetical listing after PI). Getting to the Heart and Mind of the Matter: A Toolkit to Build Confidence as a Trusted Messenger of Health Information, Ed. 3 (Austin, E. W., Bolls, P., O’Donnell, N. H., Edwards, Z., Domgaard, S., Mu, D., Austin, B. W., Rose, P., Sheftel, A., Payne, C., & Fox., L.). Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), Ed. 2. Published by Extension Foundation. EXCITE (Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement) Kansas City: Extension Foundation.
  • Austin, E. W., Bolls, P., O’Donnell, N. H., Edwards, Z., Domgaard, S., Mu, D., Austin, B. W., Rose, P., Sheftel, A., Payne, C., & Fox., L. (2023, Alphabetical listing after PI). Getting to the Heart and Mind of the Matter: A Toolkit to Build Confidence as a Trusted Messenger of Health Information, Ed. 3. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), Ed. 2. Published by Extension Foundation. EXCITE (Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement) Kansas City: Extension Foundation.
  • O’Donnell, N. H., Domgaard, S., Mu, D., Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., & Rose, P. (2022, July 15). Getting to the heart of the matter: Needs assessment report submitted to the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement. Edward R. Murrow Center for Media & Health Promotion Research, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Project Team: Erica Weintraub Austin, Ph.D., Principal Investigator; Bruce W. Austin; Paul Bolls; Zena Edwards; Shawn Domgaard; Di Mu; Nicole H. O’Donnell; Courtney Payne; Pamela Rose; and Linda Kirk Fox, EXCITE Catalyst Coach. Executive Summary
  • Austin E. W., Cohen M., Deen M. K., Parker L., Power T., Barale K., Brandt B., Brown S., Cummins M., Fees J., Scanga L. H., Varrella G., Viebrock M., Kistler M., Johnson B., Adler C., Hua V., Austin B. W., Edwards Z., Kallman D., Kaiser C. K., Stefani W. (2017). FoodMania! Curriculum Project. Pullman, WA: Washington State University. https://els2.comotion.uw.edu/product/foodmania-curriculum
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Hust, S. J. T. (2014, September). The evaluation of norm corrective messages for alcohol abuse prevention in a college Greek system: A field experiment. A continuation report to the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Hust, S. J. T. (2014, July). College Students’ Perceptions of Spirits Sales Privatization (I-1183) in Washington State. A Report to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
  • Austin E. W., & Pinkleton, B. P. (2012, September). A Statewide Review of Parents’ Recommendations for Food and Nutrition Websites. A Report to Food$ense Leadership, Washington State Extension. Murrow Center for Media & Health Promotion Research, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., & Austin, E.W. (2009). A Pilot Test of Take it Seriously: Sex, Abstinence and Media. A Supplemental Final Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., & Austin, E.W. (2008). A Pilot Test of Take it Seriously: Sex and Media. Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E.W., & Pinkleton, B.E. (2008). Responses to No Stank You Anti-Tobacco Advertisements by Spokane and Seattle Youth ages 12-14: A report to the Washington State Department of Health. Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., & Austin, E.W. (2007). Evaluation of Take it Seriously: Abstinence and media Wave III. Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E.W., & Pinkleton, B.E. (2007). Responses to anti-tobacco advertising by 8th and 10th graders: A report to the Washington State Department of Health. Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., & Austin, E.W. (2007). Evaluation of Take it Seriously: Abstinence and Media, Wave II. Report commissioned by the Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2006, June). Responses to Anti-Tobacco Advertising by Nonsmoking, Social Smoking and Regular Smoking Young Adults. Report submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2006, January). Actual versus perceived effectiveness of anti-tobacco advertising for nonsmokers, smokers and social smokers using instant-response technology. Report submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W. (2005, September). Evaluation of The Media Straight Up! Critical Thinking Skills for Pennsylvania’s Youth. Report submitted to Drug Free Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2005, June). A pilot test of hand-held-response technology as an enhancement to focus group testing of anti-tobacco messages. Report submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2005, April). Pilot test evaluation of Take It Seriously: Abstinence and Media, implemented Fall-Winter, 2004-2005. Report submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (2005, February). Support for Tobacco Use Prevention Efforts Among Registered Voters in Washington State, 2004. A Report Submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W. (2003, July). The content and frequency of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage ads in magazine and video formats November 2000-April 2001: Featuring the top 23 magazines read most by adolescents. A report to the Prevention Research Center and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., & Miller, A. (2003, January). Year 2 Evaluation of American Legacy Foundation/Washington State Department of Health Media Literacy Study. Presented to the Department of Health, Washington State. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W. (2002, October). Invited testimony to the Assembly Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of the New York State Assembly on New trends in advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages, October 22, New York.
  • Austin, E. W. (2002, June). Content analysis of magazine and video-based ads for alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, 1999-2000. Report compiled for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2001, December). Evaluation of American Legacy Foundation/Washington State Department of Health Media Literacy Pilot Study. Presented to the Department of Health, Washington State. Pullman, WA: Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University.

Conference Presentations

* indicates coauthor was a WSU student

Refereed Conference Papers and Posters

  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B., Mu, D.*, Domgaard, S.*, & O’Donnell, N., (2023). Managing misinformation with science media literacy: Improving willingness for COVID-19 vaccine community outreach in the U.S. International Communication Association Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Willoughby, J., Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., & Domgaard, S. (2022, August). A mixed methods examination of a text message-based media literacy intervention amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper presented to the Mass Communication and Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Detroit, Michigan.
  • Borah P., Lorenzano, K., Vishnevskaya A., & Austin E. (2022, August). Conservative media use and COVID-19 related behavior: the moderating role of media literacy variables. Paper presented to the Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Detroit, Michigan.
  • Borah, P., Yel, E., Lorenzano, K., & Austin, E. (2022, August). Social cognitive theory, misperceptions, and willingness to perform recommended COVID-19 related health behavior: a moderated-mediation model. Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Detroit, Michigan.
  • Austin, E. W. (2022, May). Fellows Panel, International Communication Association. Inducted 2021; panel convened May 2022, Paris, France. https://www.icahdq.org/page/Fellows.
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Borah, P., Domgaard, S.*, & McPherson, S. (2022, May). How media literacy, trust of experts and flu vaccine behaviors associate with COVID-19 vaccine intentions. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Paris, France.
  • Austin, E. W., Borah, P., & Domgaard, S.* (2021, May). An examination of the potential for media literacy to promote political engagement among communities of color in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper accepted for presentation to the Ethnicity & Race in Communication Division of the International Communication Association.
  • Austin, E. W., Borah, P., Austin, B., Smith, C. L., Amram, O., Domgaard, S.*, McPherson, S., & Willoughby, J. F. (2021, November). Media literacy’s role in the mitigation of disinformation effects on substance misuse. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the National Communication Association, Seattle, Washington.
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Willoughby, J., F., Amram, O., & Domgaard, S.* (2021, May). How media literacy and science media literacy predicted the adoption of protective behaviors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, online.
  • Borah, P., Austin, E. W., & Su, Yan* (2021, May). Injecting disinfectants to kill the virus: The role of literacy, information gathering sources, credibility perceptions, and political ideology on misinformation perceptions about COVID-19. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, online.
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Power, T., Parker, L., Kaiser, K.*, & Edwards, Z.* (2020, May). Effects of a family-centered media literacy intervention cultivating child-initiated discussion to encourage healthier eating. Paper presented (virtually) to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Gold Coast, Australia.
  • Kaiser, C.K.*, Austin, E. W., Power, T., Kistler, M., Austin, B., Edwards, Z.*, Kallman, D.* (2017, November). Nutrition focused media literacy empowers families to make healthier food choices in a marketing saturated environment. Paper presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
  • Kallman, D*., Kistler, M., Kaiser, C.K.*, Austin, E. W. (2017, November). Exploring participant engagement in a supplementary Facebook curriculum. Poster presented to the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
  • Austin, E. W., Deen, M. K., Cohen, M., Johnson, B., Power, T., Austin, B., Kistler, M., Edwards, Z.*, & Kallman, D.*, Kaiser, K*. (2017, July). Stage 2 field testing of a family-based media literacy and nutrition program to prevent childhood obesity. Poster presented to the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Washington, D.C.
  • Kallman, D.*, Kistler, M., Kaiser, C.K.*, & Austin, E.W. (2017, July). Exploring participant engagement in a supplementary Facebook component to the FoodMania curriculum. Poster Presented at the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Washington, DC.
  • Edwards, Z.*, Austin, E. W., Deen, M. K., Cohen, M., Johnson, B., Parker, L., Power, T., Kistler, K., Austin, B. (2017, June). Foodmania: Kids & Food in a Marketing Driven World–a Family-Based Media Literacy and Nutrition Childhood Obesity Prevention Program. Paper presented at the Society for Prevention Research, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E.W., Austin. B. W., French. B., & Cohen, M. A. (2017, May). The effects of a nutrition media literacy curriculum on parents and children. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
  • Austin, E. W., Shultz, J. A., Deen, M. K., Cohen, M., Johnson, B., Power, T., Austin, B., Kistler, M., Edwards, Z.*, & Kaiser, K.* (2016, August). Field Testing of a Family-Based Media Literacy and Nutrition Program to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Paper presented to the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, San Diego, CA.
  • Austin, E., Muldrow, A.*, Kallman, D.*, & Pinkleton, B. (2016, June). Exploring the associations across adolescence of perceived desirability for alcohol advertising and skepticism about advertising. Hybrid poster and paper presented at the International Communication Association, Fukuoka, Japan.
  • Austin, E. W., Shultz, J. A., Deen, M. K., Cohen, M., Calodich, S., Johnson, B., Parker, L., & Power, T. (2015, July). Pilot testing of a media literacy-based curriculum to enhance youth and parent media skills and food behaviors: Year 3 of 5. Poster presented to the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Austin, E. W., & Muldrow, A.* (2014, August). Examining How Media Literacy and Personality Factors Predict Skepticism toward Alcohol Advertising. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal.
  • Austin, E W., Shultz, J. Armstrong, Cohen, M., Parker, L., Calodich, S., Price, C., Viebrock, M., Lain, M., Kistler, M., Kallman, D.* et al. (2014, June). Audience-Driven Curriculum Design to Enhance Youth and Parent Media Skills and Food Behaviors: Year 2 of 5. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 46, 4 S189. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior National Conference, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Austin, E. W., Hust, S. J., Pinkleton, B. E., Wheeler, J.*, & Wheatley, A.* (2014, August). Resonance of a media-based social norms health campaign to students in a college Greek system. Paper presented to the Mass Communication and Society and Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk Divisions of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal, Canada.
  • Hust, S. J., Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Wheatley, A.*, & Wheeler, J.* (2014, August). Developing effective alcohol abuse prevention campaign messages for fraternity men and sorority women: Gender differences in the descriptive and injunctive norms used in media-based health campaigns. Paper presented to the Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk Division, Political Interest Group and the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal, Canada.
  • Hoffman, E., Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. P. (2013, November). The Associations of Alcohol Social Media Use and Message Interpretation Outcomes to Problem Drinking Among College Students. Paper presented to the National Communication Association.
  • Austin, E. W., Shultz, J. A., Deen, M. K., et al. (2013, August). A Family Based Media Literacy Approach to Improving Youth and Family Nutrition. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45(4S), pp S91. Poster presented to the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Portland, OR.
  • Edwards, Z.M., Austin, E.W., Pinkleton, B.E., Manenica, K., & Shultz, J.A. (2013, August). Shaping a SNAP-Ed Website to Better Support Behavior Change. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45(4S), pp S56. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Portland, OR.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Beam, M., & Borah, P. (2013, August). Celebrities and Media Literacy: Satirical news and critical thinking about politics. Paper presented to the American Political Science Association, Chicago.
  • Borah, P., Beam, M., Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (2013, August). Paper presented to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Cohen, M. (2013, June). Paper presented to the Instructional Division of the International Communication Association, London.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pokrel, L. R.* (2012, August). The relationship of critical thinking toward alcohol ads with perceptions of message trustworthiness and fairness. Paper presented to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Chicago.
  • Hoffman, E., Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Lei, M.* (2012, August). Exploring college students, social media alcohol marketing and associated behaviors. Paper presented to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Chicago.
  • Austin E. W., Muldrow, A.*, & Yang, C. (2012, June). Media Literacy and Its Impact on Reducing the Desirability of Alcohol Advertising With Minors. 2012. American Marketing Association Marketing & Public Policy Conference; June 7-9; Atlanta, GA.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Radanielina-Hita, M. L.*, & Ran, W.* (2012, May). The role of parental skepticism toward media for family dietary behaviors. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., Radanielina-Hita, M. L.*, & Ran, W.* (2011, August). The role of family communication style, coviewing and mediation in family nutrition efficacy and behavior. Paper presented to the Communicating Science, Health, Environment, and Risk Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, St. Louis, MO.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Chen, Y., & Cohen, M. (2010, August). Media Literacy as a Catalyst for Changing Adolescents’ Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Sexual Media Messages. Top paper presented to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Chen, Y. (2010, August). Sex-Based Differences in Message Processing as a Result of Media Literacy Effects on Perceived Desirability of Sexual Media Messages. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.
  • Austin, E. W., Austin, B. W., Hindman, D.B., Hindman, E.B., Hust, S.J., Pinkleton, B.E., Yan, C., & Van de Vord, R. (2010, February). Student Perceptions, Actions and Efficacy Regarding H1N1 in Fall of 2009. International Globalization, Diversity, & Education Conference, Spokane, WA.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., Austin, E.W., Fitts, J.*, Reiser, M.*, & Zhou, Y.* (2009, August). Satisfaction with media performance and perceptions of media usefulness in political decision making and disaffection. Mass Communication and Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Boston, MA.
  • Pinkleton, B., Austin, E., Chen, Y., & Cohen, M. (2009. May). The role of media literacy in adolescents’ responses to and interpretations of mediated sexual messages. Paper to be presented to the Children, Adolescent, and the Media Interest Group of the International Communication Association, May 21-May 25, Chicago, IL.
  • Austin, E.W., Pinkleton, B.E., Cohen, M., Chen, Y., Lei, M.*, & Yamamoto, M.* (2009). A Pilot Test of Take it Seriously: Sex and Media. Showcase, Pullman, WA.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Cohen, M., Chen, Y. (2008, August). The role of media literacy in adolescents’ understanding of and responses to sexual portrayals in the media. Paper presented to the Mass Communication and Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago, IL.
  • Austin, E. W. (2007). Media Literacy and Media Framing: How Understanding of Media Processing Can Help the Science Writer. National Association of Science Writers, Spokane, Washington.
  • Austin, E.W., Pinkleton, B.E., & Hust, S.J. (2007). The power of media literacy education for health promotion. Washington State Prevention Summit, Vancouver, WA.
  • Austin, E.W., Pinkleton, B.E., & Hust, S.J. (2007). How the appeal of alcohol advertising to adolescents flies under the radar of expert adults and what can be done about it. Washington State Prevention Summit, Vancouver, WA.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., Austin, E.W., Arganbright, M.*, Bryant, E.*, Chang, H.*, Dalisay, F.*, Epstein, E.*, Fu, H.*, Gallagher, E.*, Hmielowski, J.*, Solodovnikova, Y.*, & Thomas, R.* (2007). Cynicism versus skepticism in citizens’ attitudes toward the media and political decision making. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E.W., Hiveley, M.*, Chen, Y.*, Van de Vord, R.*, Dawson, J.*, Gupta, R.*, & Pinkleton, B.E. (2007). Perceptions of effectiveness versus markers of actual effectiveness in adolescents’ reactions to anti-tobacco advertising. International Communication Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Van de Vord, R.*, Austin, E.W., & Pinkleton, B.E. (2007). The mediating role of the message interpretation process on the effects of exposure to anti-alcohol messages. International Communication Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Austin, E.W., Hiveley, M.*, Chen, Y.*, Van de Vord, R.*, Dawson, J.*, Gupta, R.*, & Pinkleton, B.E. (2007). Investigating components of media literacy in adolescents’ reactions to anti-tobacco ads. National Media Education Conference and Research Summit, St. Louis, MO.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., Austin, E.W., Cohen, M., Chen, Y.*, & Arganbright, M.* (2007). Evaluation of a media literacy program: Take it Seriously: Abstinence and Media wave II. National Media Education Conference and Research Summit, St. Louis, MO.
  • Pinkleton, B.E., Austin, E.W., Cohen, M., Miller, A.*, & Fitzgerald, E. (2007). A statewide evaluation of the effectiveness of media literacy training to prevent tobacco use among adolescents. National Media Education Conference and Research Summit, St. Louis, MO.
  • Austin, E. W. (2006, August). Media literacy as media criticism: Do the gloves stay on? Panel presentation to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, San Francisco.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Funabiki, R. P. (2006, August). The role of complacency in political decision making. Top three paper presented to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, San Francisco. Under review at Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly.
  • Austin, E. W., Van de Vord, R.*, Pinkleton, B. P., & Epstein, E.* (2006, August). The role of get-out-the vote campaigns in young citizens’ political complacency and efficacy. paper presented to the Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, San Francisco.
  • Hust, S. J. T.,* Chen, Y.,* & Austin, E. W. (2006, August). Positive Reinforcement: Portrayals of alcohol advertisements in teen and young adult magazines. Paper presented to the Magazine Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, San Francisco.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., Cohen, M., Chen, Y.,* & Fitzgerald, E. (2006, August). Participants’ perceived effectiveness of a peer-led media literacy curriculum for adolescent sex education. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, San Francisco.
  • Goehner, D.*, Pinkleton, B. P., Bolls, P.* & Austin. E. W. (2005). Processing political advertising: The roles of audio and visual information. Paper presented to the Information Systems Division of the International Communication Association.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P. & Funabiki, R. (2005, May). The desirability paradox in the effects of media literacy training. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, New York.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., Chen, Y.*, Quintero-Johnson, J.*, & Van de Vord, R.* (2005, June). The benefits and costs of Channel One in a middle school setting and the role of media literacy training. Paper presented to the Alliance for a Media Literate America conference, San Francisco.
  • Austin, E. W., Arganbright, M.*, Chen, Y.*, Ortega, M.*, Quintero-Johnson, J.*, Van de Vord, R.*, Goehner, D.*, Fowler, C.*, Gramer, I.*, Jeffery, S.*, Thomas, L.*, & Pinkleton, B. E. (2004, August). The comparative effects of logic and affect-added teaching strategies on media literacy outcomes in a test focused on Channel One news. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Toronto, Canada.
  • Austin, E. W., Miller, A.*, Sain, R.*, Andersen, K.*, Ryabovolova, A.*, Barber, L.*, Johnson, A.*, Severance, K.*, Beal, T.*, & Clinkenbeard, C.* (2003, August). Similarities and differences in college-age men’s and women’s responses to alcohol advertisements in men’s and women’s magazines, Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Kansas City.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., Cohen, M., & Miller, A.* (2003). Media literacy as a catalyst for teen tobacco prevention. Paper presented to the National Media Education Conference, Baltimore, MD, June.
  • Pinkleton, B. P., Austin, E. W., Cohen, M., & Miller, A.* (2003). Media literacy and smoking prevention among adolescents: A year-two evaluation of the American Legacy Foundation/Washington State Department of Health anti-tobacco campaign. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, San Diego, May.
  • Austin, E. W., & Hust, S. (2003). The Content and Frequency of Alcohol and Nonalcohol Ads in Print and Video Seen by Adolescents. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, San Diego, May.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., Cohen, M., & Miller, A.* (2002). Evaluating media literacy as a statewide anti-tobacco campaign strategy. Poster presented to the National Conference on Tobacco or Health, San Francisco, November.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., Hust, S. J. T. & Cohen, M. (2002). Evaluation of American Legacy Foundation/Washington State Department of Health media literacy pilot study. Top three paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Miami, August.
  • Pinkleton, B. P., Um, N. H.*, & Austin, E. W. (2001). Effects of negative political advertising on political decision making. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Washington, D.C., August.
  • Austin, E. W., Guerra, P.*, Hust, S.*, Miller, A.*, & Pinkleton, B. P. (2001). A comparison of target publics’ and expert coders’ perceptions of alcoholic beverage advertising: A receiver-oriented content analysis. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Washington, D.C., August.
  • Austin, E. W., Miller, A. R.*, Silva, S.*, Guerra, P.*, Geisler, N.*, Gamboa, L.*, Phakakayai, O.*, & Kuechle, B.* (2000, August). The effects of increased awareness on college students’ interpretations of magazine advertisements for alcohol. Presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Pinkleton, B. P., & Austin, E. W. (2000, June). Exploring relationships among media use, media importance, political disaffection and political efficacy. Paper accepted for presentation to the Political Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Acapulco, Mexico.
  • Andsager, J. L., Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (1999, August). Young adults’ processing of messages in alcohol-related public service announcements and advertising. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, New Orleans.
  • Austin, E. W., & Chen, Y. J.* (1999, August). The relationship of parental reinforcement of media messages to college students’ alcohol-related behaviors, age of experimentation and beliefs about alcohol. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, New Orleans.
  • Fujioka, Y.*, & Austin, E. W. (1999, May). The relationship of family communication patterns to parental mediation styles. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, San Francisco.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin., E. W., & Fujioka, Y.* (1999, May). Effects of perceived beer and PSA quality on high school students’ alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors. Paper presented to the International Communication Association, San Francisco.
  • Moreau, E.*, Austin, E. W., & Knaus, C.* (1998, April). The implications of positive parental mediation and sports coviewing for children’s expectancies for alcohol. Paper presented to the Western Communication Association.
  • Austin, E. W., & Knaus, C. S.* (1998, August). Predicting future risky behavior among those ‘too young’ to drink, as the result of advertising desirability. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Baltimore, MD.
  • Knaus, C. S.*, Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (1998, August). The ability of the AIDS Quilt to motivate information seeking, personal discussion and behavior as a health communication intervention. Paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Baltimore, MD.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. P., & Fujioka, Y.* (1998, July). Assessing public service announcement effectiveness: Effects of message quality, production quality and persuasiveness. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Jerusalem.
  • Knaus, C.*, & Austin, E. W. (1998, July). An analysis of the effectiveness of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Jerusalem.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (1997, August). The roles of media use and media content evaluations in the development of political disaffection. Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W., Pinkleton, B. E., & Dixon, A.* (1997, August). Patterns & constraints in public relations campaign measurement: The role of practitioner orientations in reliance on source- or receiver-oriented measurement practices. Paper presented to the Public Relations and Advertising Divisions of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., & Austin, E. W. (1997, August). Voter involvement, disaffection and media use: Testing a “spiral of disaffection.” Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. E. (1997, May). Parental mediation as information source use: Effects on attitudes and behaviors in the political socialization process. Paper presented to the Political Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Austin, E. W., & Dixon, A. L.* (1997, May). Measuring the impact of public relations campaigns. Top four paper presented to the Public Relations Interest Group of the International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada.
  • Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1997, April). Effects of general and alcohol-specific media literacy training on children’s affinity for alcohol. Paper presented to the Society for Research in Child Development, April, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E. W., Fujioka, Y.*, Bolls, P.*, & Engelbertson, J.* (1996, August). Taking on the tube: An examination of parents’ media behavior, attitudes and discussion regarding television. Paper presented to the Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Anaheim.
  • Johnson, K. K.*, Clarke, T. L.*, & Austin, E. W. (1996, August). Let’s talk about what we’re watching: Parental behavior toward children’s gender and age regarding television viewing. Paper presented to the Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Anaheim.
  • Pinkleton, B., Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1996, May). Relationships of political disaffection, voter sophistication, and information seeking to external efficacy and political behavior. Paper presented to the Political Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W., & Freeman, C.* (1996, May). Effects of media, parents and peers on African-American adolescents’ efficacy toward media celebrities. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1996, May). Effects of general and alcohol-specific media literacy training on children’s affinity for alcohol. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W. (1995, August). Credibility, apparent reality and the guilt or innocence of O.J.: How media coverage produced a public “verdict.” Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E.W., Bates, B. J., & Pinkleton, B. E. (1995, August). Positive and negative relationships of political disaffection perceptions on voters’ reasons and likelihood for voting. Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
  • Pinkleton, B. E., Bates, B. J., & Austin, E. W. (1995, May). Effects of orientations to the political system, election campaigns, and the media on voter decision-making strategies. Paper presented to the Political Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Albuquerque.
  • Austin, E. W., & Johnson, K. K.* (1995, May). Direct and indirect effects of media literacy training on third graders’ decision making for alcohol. Paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Albuquerque.
  • Austin, E. W., & Pinkleton, B. (1994, August). Positive and negative effects of political disaffection on the less experienced voter. Presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Atlanta.
  • Austin, E. W., & Meili, H. K.* (1994, June). Effects of interpretations of televised alcohol portrayals on children’s alcohol beliefs. “Top Three” paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Sydney, Australia.
  • Austin, E. W., & Dong, Q.* (1993, August). Putting news into context: Apparent reality versus source credibility in judgments of news believability. “Top Three” paper presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
  • Austin, E. W., & Nach-Ferguson, B.* (1993, May). Sources and influences of young school-age children’s general and brand-specific knowledge about alcohol. Presented to the International Communication Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E. W., & Arhontoudis, T. A.* (1993, May). Effects of parental mediation on immigrants’ perceptions of advertising realism. Presented to the International Communication Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E. W. (1992, May). Parental mediation of television content: A test of a measurement index. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Miami.
  • Austin, E. W. (1991, May). Direct and indirect influences of parent-child communication norms on adolescent’s tendencies to take preventive measures for AIDS and drug abuse. Top six paper presented to the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Chicago.
  • Austin, E. W., Lang, A., Powers, B.*, & Sumner, J.* (1991, August). Three dimensions of children’s attention to messages: Mediation, content, and structure. Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Boston.
  • Austin, E. W. (1990, August). Exploring the development of political cognitions: How media orientation predicts adolescents’ assessment of political news. Paper presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
  • Austin, E. W. (1990, May). Putting politics into context: How adolescents use experiences with media and parents to assess issues in the news. “Top Four” paper in Political Communication, presented to the International Communication Association, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Lang, A., Austin, E. W., & Shapiro, M. (1990, May). The geometry of communication. Paper presented to the International Communication Association, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Austin, E. W. (1989, October). Effects of family communication on the adolescent’s approach to media content. Paper presented to the Seventh Annual Conference on Culture and Communication, Philadelphia.
  • Austin, E. W. (1988, July). Developmental differences in parent-child interpretations of family communication patterns: Implications for mass communication research. “Top Student Paper” presented to the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Portland, Oregon.
  • Brown, B. M., Austin, E. W., and Roberts, D. F. (1988, May). Real families versus television families: Children’s perceptions of realism in the Cosby Show. Paper presented to the International Communication Association, New Orleans.
  • Austin, E. W. (1987, April). Both sides now: In search of family communication norms. Paper presented to the Western States Communication Mini-Conference, Santa Barbara.

Refereed Conference Panels

  • Austin, E. W. (Chair), Weiss, J. K., Wilder, S. E., Borah, P., Powell, A., & Head, K. (2021, November). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy through a lens of transformation and renewal. Panel presented to the Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association, Seattle, Washington.
  • Austin, E., Dean, M.K., Austin, B., Kaiser, C.K., Kallman, D., Edwards, Z., Stefani, W., Kistler, M., Cohen, M., Johnson, B., Parker, L., & Power, T. (2018, July). FoodMania: Effects of a curriculum using media literacy as the catalyst to improve parent-child discussion and food behaviors. Poster presented at the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), Minneapolis, MN.
  • Austin, E. W. (2017, July). Featured success stories for AFRI grants program. Presented to the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Washington, D.C.
  • Austin, E. W. (2013, June). The state of media literacy research. Presented to the Children and Media Division of the International Communication Association, London.
  • Austin, E. W. (2011, July). Media Literacy Education to Promote Health: Research and Promising K-12 and Community Applications. Plenary panel presented to the National Association for Media Literacy Education, Philadelphia.
  • Austin, E. W. (2004, May). Parental mediation. Presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, New Orleans.
  • Austin, E. W. (2000, August). Selling (to) Kids: trends, ethics and implications of marketing that targets children and adolescents. Presented to the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Austin, E. W. (1999, August). Causes and consequences of political disaffection. Presented to the Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, New Orleans.
  • Austin, E. W. (1998, November). The role of parental mediation in the interpretation of televised liquor ads. Presentation to the National Communication Association, New York.
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