College of Communication & Information SciencesDepartment of Journalism
U.A.
As a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Journalism at the University of Alabama, Hailey researched media representations of U.S. military veterans and the ways military service is portrayed, circulated, and interpreted in legacy and digital media contexts.
She also taught undergraduate journalism courses and was recognized as the department’s Outstanding Graduate Research Student in 2018. Her master’s thesis applied disposition theory of humor and mirth to examine how media representations of political protest can increase openness to opposing political viewpoints.
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Disposition Theory and Protest
MASTER’S THESIS • 2018
Applied disposition theory of humor and mirth to examine how media portrayals of political protest influence partisan engagement with political difference.
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Hero, Charity Case, and Victim
ARMED FORCES & SOCIETY • 2018
Examined how U.S. news organizations frame military veterans on Twitter and how those narratives shape public understanding of political issues.
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The U.S. Military Veteran in News Photographs
VISUAL COMMUNICATION QUARTERLY • 2019
Content analysis of U.S. news photography examining how military veterans are visually represented and how those portrayals reinforce public stereotypes.
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Swapping Insults, Neglecting Policy
HEALTH COMMUNICATION • 2021
Analyzed how U.S. presidential candidates discussed mental health during the 2020 election, revealing a shift from policy debate toward personal attacks.
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When We Post About #Veterans
JOURNAL OF VETERANS STUDIES • 2022
Investigated how legacy news media influence conversations about military veterans on social media and guide public dialogue online.
