DANIELLE K BROWN
I am the 1855 Community and Urban Journalism Professor and an associate professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. I have extensively published diagnostic work that primarily identifies news media representation issues and their effects on engagement, trust, and public opinion. My present and ongoing community-engaged research projects focus on reparative interventions and solutions that address these problems. You can check out my Midwestern-based project at www.liftproj.com. I welcome ideas, critiques, collaborations, and expansions. I prioritize community-engaged work, and consult for numerous media, advocacy and non-profit news organizations interested in diversity and equity.
Some of my most recent awards are recognitions were the 2023 McKnight Professorship, 2022 Public Engagement Award by the Journalism Studies Division for the International Communication Association and the 2020 Junior Scholar of the Year Award by the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center of the Advancement of Women in Communication.
Prior to pursuing my research career, I worked as a photographer, designer, and writer. A trained journalist, I later worked in non-profit health and education public relations positions, where I put all my skills to the test: print and web publication creation, marketing & recruitment, design, writing, photography, and social media management. I received my doctorate in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in August 2017. I also received my Bachelor's degree in Journalism & Public Relations in 2008 from Baylor University. I worked full-time for Baylor Law School while I pursued my master's degree in Journalism, New Media & Public Relations, which I received in 2013 from Baylor University.
Perhaps more importantly, I am the self-declared director of chaos for two extraordinary children who rollerskate, have hilarious business laughs, and will likely become the most beloved leaders of the Ramen noodle fan club. I am the "okayest" dog mom hyper-terrier-turned-old pup. During the height of the pandemic, I opened DuoLingo several times and tried out saying hello in three languages; I bought many books about acquiring hobbies that I will probably pick up next pandemic; and I got dressed occasionally. Throughout these years, I have continued to use cleaning as a coping skill and procrastination mechanism.
I plan to retire as soon as I learn to bake something that consistently tastes good, and then, I'll open a truffle/taco/tequila flight shop on the beach somewhere in the Caribbean. I'd like a boat, too, please. I also probably want to be photograph dogs and making a greeting card business, and aspire to one day have a thumb so green I finally can stop killing all the airplants that I buy.