Dr. Damion Waymer, Assistant Professor of Communication at Virginia Tech University
Giving Voice to the Voiceless: The Outcast Advocacy Relations Model
Thursday, September 17, 7 pm
Sprinkle Room
Dr. Damion Waymer’s research uses communication theories to explore the issues that marginalized, underrepresented publics can and do encounter, and what strategies are available to them to challenge these issues. Specifically, his most recent research efforts establish the need for the Outcast Advocacy Relations (OAR) model to assist stigmatized populations – e.g., the homeless, those carrying infectious diseases, and those imprisoned. This model applies and extends the work of social psychologists to explore the ways that inducing empathy via communication media might strengthen the voice, agency, and efforts to fight for the causes of these populations. Dr. Waymer’s presentation is co-sponsored by Communication Studies, Ethnic Studies, English, Psychology, Sociology, Community Service, Chidsey Leadership, and the Dean of Students office.
