Kirsten A. Johnson

Biography

Kirsten Johnson, associate professor of communications, primarily teaches video production and news writing classes. Prior to teaching, Johnson worked for nearly a decade in local radio and television. She began her media career at KRNT and KIOA radio in Des Moines, Iowa as an on-air personality and board operator. She then worked as a news producer at WOI-TV (the ABC affiliate in Des Moines) and at WGAL-TV (the NBC affiliate in Lancaster).

Johnson has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, a master's degree in telecommunications from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and a doctoral degree in information science and technology from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her research interests include citizen journalism, perceived credibility on web sites and user created content. She has made presentations nationally and internationally on citizen journalism, has authored several papers on citizen journalism and user created content and has written a book chapter titled "Citizen Journalism in the Community and the Classroom in the book Public Journalism 2.0: The Promise and Reality of a Citizen-Engaged Press." She co-edited a book, titled "News With a View: Journalism Beyond Objectivity."

Education

Ph.D. Information Science and Technology, Drexel University
M.S. Telecommunications, Kutztown University
B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication, Drake University

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Broadcast News, Radio, Television Production, Citizen Journalism, Online Credibility, Social Media

Personal Interests

Exercising, triathlons, singing

Books