Nazra Izhar

Nazra Izhar
  • Ph.D. Student

Contact Info

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Biography —

Nazra Izhar is a doctoral student and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas. She holds a master’s in visual communication and a bachelor’s in mass communication and journalism from India.

Before her PhD, she worked as a reporter and host for Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster. With five years of teaching experience, Nazra has taught both bachelor’s and master’s students in communication courses. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of a campus tabloid and worked as an advertising copywriter.

Nazra, fluent in Hindi, English, and Urdu, is deeply passionate about journalism. She has taught a range of courses including Media Writing, Public Relations, Mass Communication and Society, Information Exploration, Data Visualization, and Strategic Communication. She was awarded the Resilient Student Award by the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication, reflecting her commitment and perseverance towards her doctoral journey.

Research —

Nazra’s research explores how individuals engage with and process health information through emerging technologies and digital media. Her work focuses on understanding how people interpret messages, particularly in the context of health behaviors and decision-making. By examining the influence of digital platforms and innovative communication strategies, she investigates the ways health information is conveyed, aiming to improve public understanding and foster informed decision-making in an increasingly digital world. Her research integrates media effects, information seeking and information processing to address issues in health communication.

Research interests:

  • Misinformation
  • Emerging Technology/Digital Media
  • Media Effects
  • Information Processing
  • Media Literacy
  • Health Communication
  • Digital Media

Teaching —

Teaching interests:

  • Media Writing
  • Digital Visualization
  • Strategic Communication
  • Mass Communication and Society
  • Health Communication

Selected Publications —

  • Silva, F., Seo, H., Baines, A., Burkett, K. M., Chaif, R., & Izhar, N. (2024). Facebook Social Support Groups on Diabetes: A Comparative Analysis of the Brazilian and U.S. Experience. International Communication Research Journal, 59(1), 46-66.

Papers accepted for Conferences:

  • Silva, F., Baines, A., Seo, H., Burkett, M., Chaif, R., Izhar, N., & Unzueta, V. (August 2023). Comparative Analysis of Online Social Support in Health: Brazilian and U.S. Facebook Groups on Diabetes. Paper accepted for presentation to the International Communication Division at the 2023 annual convention of the Association for Education

in Journalism and Mass Communication, August 7-10, Washington, D.C.*First-place Latin American Communication Research and Researchers Award

  • Izhar, N., Burkett, M., (February 2024) Influencing Mental Health: Across Cultural Analysis of Instagram Influencer in India and USA. Paper accepted for presentation at South Asian Media and Cultural Studies Conference – SAMCS 2024)
  • Etheridge, C. E., Izhar, N., Okocha, M., Mediated Civic Engagement: Online Activity and Community on the Indian Subcontinent. Paper accepted for presentation to the Open Division at AEJMC Southeast Colloquium 2024.
  • Izhar, N. (August 2024) Mapping the Digital Landscape of Hate: Assessing Islamophobia in Hindu Rashtra Facebook Communities. Paper accepted for presentation to the Political Communication Division at the 2024 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Izhar, N. (August 2024) Role of Cognitive Biases in Misinformation Dissemination Through Unverified Information Sharing among Indian Facebook users. Paper accepted for presentation to the International Communication Division at the 2024 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Seo, H., Burkett, M., Okocha, M., Huong, H., Chaif, R., Izhar, N., Barros, M., Jona, B., & Iqbal, A. (August 2024). Social Media Activism and Women’s Health: Endometriosis as Feminist Issue. Paper accepted for presentation to the Commission on the Status of Women at the 2024 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, August 7-11, Philadelphia, PA.*Second-place Top Faculty Paper
  • Nguyen, N., Izhar, N., Vu, H.T., Diwanji., V.S. (2024). Climate change is real, but I don’t wanna talk about it:” Unraveling spiral of silence effects regarding climate change among midwestern American farmers. Association for Education in Journalism in Mass Communication Conference. Philadephia, USA.
  • Bien-Aimé, S., Hussain, U., Khan,H., Izhar, N., & Syed, A.: Sports, Media and Morality: South Asian Media’s Framing of the Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik Divorce.Paper accepted for presentation to South Asia Communication Association at the 2024 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, August 7-11, Philadelphia, PA

Manuscript Under Review

  • Izhar, N., Etheridge, C., Okocha, M. (Under Review). Online activity and social capital: Indian citizens’ attitudes toward media and established institutions. Global Media and Communication.
  • Vu, H.T., Nguyen, N., Izhar, N., Diwanji., V.S. (Under review) Climate change is real, but I don’t wanna talk about it:” Unraveling spiral of silence effects regarding climate change among midwestern American farmers. Public Understanding of Science.
  • Etheridge, C., Izhar, N., Okocha, M. (Under review). Mediated civic engagement: Online activity and community participation on the Indian subcontinent. First Monday.
  • Seo, H., Burkett, M., Okocha, M., Huong, H., Chaif, R., Izhar, N., Barros, M., Jona, B., & Iqbal, A. (Under Review). Social Media Activism and Women’s Health: Endometriosis Awareness and Support. Digital Health.