Faculty Members
Laurence B. Alexander , Ph.D.
Associate Dean -- UF Graduate School
Professor -- College of Journalism and Communications
Distinguished Teaching Scholar
Research Foundation Professor
Distinguished Alumni Professor
Ph.D.,
Florida State University
J.D.,
Tulane University
M.A.,
University of Florida
B.A.,
University of New Orleans
Office: 3052 Weimer
Phone: (352) 392-0448
E-mail:
Research area
First Amendment, Free Speech, Media Law and Policy, Journalist's Privilege, Media Ethics.
Biography
Laurence B. Alexander is an associate dean of the UF Graduate School and a professor in the Department of Journalism. He served as chair of the UF Department of Journalism 1994-98. In 2001, he was selected as an inaugural Provost Fellow in the UF Office of Academic Affairs.
He has received significant honor and recognition for his teaching and research. In 2005, he was named an inaugural member of the UF Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars. The next year, he was selected as a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor. He teaches courses in mass media law and newspaper editing. His research focuses on the First Amendment, freedom of expression, media law and policy issues in news gathering, and student free speech issues. His research has been presented at national and international conferences and published in various scholarly journals and law reviews, including Communications and the Law, Free Speech Yearbook, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, Loyola Entertainment Law Review, Newspaper Research Journal, Notre Dame Journal on Legislation, UCLA Black Law Journal, Visual Communication Quarterly, Western Journal of Black Studies, Yale Law and Policy Review, among others. He is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, International Communication Association, Education Law Association, American Bar Association, and Society of Professional Journalists.
He served three terms on the UF Faculty Senate and a term as faculty representative on the Boards of Directors of the University Athletic Association and the UF National Alumni Association. He served as a member of the AEJMC Executive Board, as chair of the AEJMC Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility, and as chair of the Board of Directors of The Independent Florida Alligator. He serves as a member of the AEJMC Finance Committee and chairs the AEJMC Development Task Force.
A native of New Orleans, Alexander received a bachelor's degree from the University of New Orleans, master's degree from UF, Juris Doctor from Tulane University, and PhD from Florida State University. Before coming to UF in 1991, he served on the faculty of Temple University and the University of New Orleans. He also has worked in the journalism profession for The Houma Courier, The Times-Picayune and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
His contributions have been recognized at the national, university and college levels. National Honors: Joseph C. Beckham Dissertation of the Year Award, Education Law Association, 2007; Freedom Forum Journalism Teacher of the Year, 2002; Baskett Mosse Award for Faculty Development, given to an outstanding mid-career faculty member by AEJMC/ACEJMC, 1994. University Honors: UF Research Foundation Professor, 2006-09; UF Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars, 2005-2008; UF Distinguished Alumni Professor, 2001-2003; Florida Blue Key Distinguished Faculty Award, 2001. UF College of Journalism and Communications Honors: Faculty Service Awards, 2002 and 1999; Faculty Research Awards, 2001 and 1993; Teacher of the Year Awards, 2000 and 1993; Teaching Improvement Program (TIP) Award, 1994.
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