Wayne Wanta, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Journalism professor emeritus, is the recipient of the 2024 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research. AEJMC’s highest research award recognizes a body of significant research over the course of an individual’s career.

Wanta is the 35^th scholar to win this award since its inception in 1969 and the first from the University of Florida.

Wanta is internationally known for his research in political communication and media effects, with 200 refereed publications and convention papers. He has lectured and delivered research presentations in 50 different countries and authored or co-authored eight books.

Much of his research examines the agenda-setting function of the news media and how coverage influences the public’s perceptions of issues and newsmakers. Wanta was among the first scholars to closely examine the psychological underpinnings of agenda setting, confirm its application to online settings, and scrutinize it in international settings. He has also conducted research in sports journalism, visual communication, internet use and effects, and negative political advertising.

Wanta has also received the AEJMC Krieghbaum Under-40 award for outstanding achievement in research, teaching, and service, a Fulbright Specialist Grant to Iceland, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar grant in Kosovo, and a National Communication Association Research Excellence Award in 2015 for the most outstanding book he co-authored in visual communication.

This award is named in honor of Paul J. Deutschmann, who was a central force in the movement to study journalism and mass communication scientifically and established the College of Communication Arts at Michigan State University.

Wanta retired from UFCJC at the end of the 2023 after a 12-year tenure at the College.

Posted: March 29, 2024
Category: College News
Tagged as: AEJMC, AEJMC Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research, Journalism, Wayne Wanta