You are here: American University School of Communication Faculty Paula Weissman

Back to top

Photograph of Paula Weissman

Paula Weissman Sr Professorial Lecturer School of Communication

Degrees
BA Communication (summa cum laude), University of Massachusetts

MA Communication, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania

PhD Communication, University of Maryland

Bio
Paula Weissman is a full-time faculty member in the Public Communication Division. She has more than 20 years of experience as a research consultant, university instructor, and curriculum developer. Her expertise is in the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to guide and evaluate public relations and strategic communication efforts. She has worked for a variety of communication agencies and consultancies, serving federal government agencies and national nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on the health sector. She is currently working with the Research and Evaluation team at Ripple Effect to develop program evaluation training for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and to collect and synthesize public guidance to inform the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's (PCORI) strategic plan. Her recent academic research focuses on new trends in public relations and strategic communication education and practice. She received the 2020 Research Prize for Professional Relevance from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.  Dr. Weissman served in the role of Program Director for AU’s Online MA in Strategic Communication from to 2016-2020, overseeing the development of concentrations in advocacy and social impact communication and digital communication strategies and analytics. She currently serves on the University's self-study steering committee for Middle States reaccreditation, and she is a member of the Faculty Senate Committee on Learning Assessment (COLA). She previously served as an administrator and faculty member for Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communication program. She teaches courses in research methods, communication theory, and health communication.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Fall 2022

  • COMM-380 Public Communication Research

  • COMM-735 Communication Theory

  • COMM-744 Strategic Comm Capstone

Spring 2023

  • COMM-380 Public Communication Research

  • COMM-735 Communication Theory

  • COMM-744 Strategic Comm Capstone

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

Fitzpatrick, K. R. & Weissman, P. L. (2021). Public relations in the Age of Data: Corporate Perspectives on Social Media Analytics. Journal of Communication Management, 25(4), 401-416. 

Weissman, P. L., Puglisi, G., Bernardini, D. & Graf, J. (2019). Disruption in PR Education: Online Masters Degree Programs in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 74(4), 371-387.

Weissman, P. L. (2016). Health literacy & risk communication. Health industry communication: New media, new methods, new message (2nd ed., pp. 117-135). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.