Ann Burnett, professor of communication and director of Women and Gender Studies, has been selected to present the 55th Faculty Lecture on Monday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Century Theater. A reception will follow the lecture, which is considered one of NDSU's most prestigious honors.
Burnett is scheduled to present "How We Connect…Or Not? Communication as Relationship." The event is free and open to the public.
Since she joined the NDSU Department of Communication in 1997, Burnett has held a variety of positions, including associate director of the NDSU FORWARD project and associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
"Her tireless work in transforming this university to a more diverse, more welcoming university is the reason we believe she stands out among other candidates," said nominators Kent Sandstrom, dean and professor, and Betsy Birmingham, associate dean and professor. "We cannot think of a more appropriate candidate to be accorded the Faculty Lectureship Award, particularly given the important and transformative impact her work has had on the climate of our campus."
The Faculty Lectureship is an honor Burnett takes very much to heart.
"This is one of the highest honors bestowed on NDSU faculty," Burnett said. "I’m especially proud to stand with other female faculty members who have recently received this honor, as the list is weighted towards the selection of male faculty."
Her research on relationships includes an impressive 45 peer-reviewed articles, with six more under review, and she has presented 64 peer-reviewed papers at academic conferences.
In her talk, Burnett will discuss three areas of her research, including rape culture, jury decision making and fast-paced lifestyle. "The topics seem unconnected, but by studying communication as relationship, I’m hoping people will see how they are tied together," Burnett said. "Not only do I hope that attendees learn about the interesting work I’ve done, but they also will have a better idea of what the communication discipline is about.
"To me, life is all about relationships, whether that be on a personal or scholarly level. Therefore, to learn about how communication creates, maintains, nourishes, destroys or erases any hope of relationship makes its study fascinating," she said.
She also has received the college's Outstanding Educator Award, an honor that recognizes excellence in teaching, research and service.
Burnett earned her bachelor's degree from Colorado College, Colorado Springs; master's degree at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley; and doctorate from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. She also has earned 18 hours toward her law degree.
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.
