Courtney Carpenter Childers
Assistant Professor, Advertising
School of Advertising & Public Relations
Education:
Ph.D., Communication & Information Sciences, University of Alabama
M.A., Advertising & Public Relations, University of Alabama
B.A., Mass Communications, Middle Tennessee State University
B.A., Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University
Research Area:
Dr. Childers' research interests deal with societal issues and advertising. Specifically, Dr. Childers' dissertation, titled What is Most Important to Kids? Developmental Differences and Behavior Associated with Nutritional Content of Food-Product Advertising Targeting Children and winner of the 2006 American Academy of Advertising (AAA) “Outstanding Dissertation Award,” addressed the relationship of childhood obesity, children’s food choices, and advertisements targeting youth. She has also conducted research in the areas of sexual imagery and gender role portrayals in advertising.
Dr. Childers has published in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly and Media Psychology and has two encyclopedia entries in press. She has over 13 research presentations at academic conferences such as the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), Southern States Communication Association (SSCA), the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and the International Communication Association (ICA).
Research Description:
Dr. Childers was Principle Investigator of a recent NIH grant proposal titled, “Effectiveness of Music Messaging in Childhood Obesity Prevention.” Working with grant team members, Dr. Carol Tenopir and Mache Seibel, M.D., the proposal investigates the link of using musical messages in attracting attention and comprehension of children targeted with pro-health messaging efforts. The proposal is currently under review.
Currently, Dr. Childers is working on collaborative research projects with Dr. Mariea Hoy and Dr. Elizabeth Avery in exploring parental perceptions of the obesity crisis and pro-health message strategies using Reactance Theory.
Contact Information:
School of Advertising & Public Relations
College of Communication & Information
Office: 476 Communications Bldg.
Phone: 865-974-5108
E-mail: childers@utk.edu