Dr. Jody Kellas conducts research and teaches classes on interpersonal, family, and health communication. The overarching purpose of her research program is to study the ways in which narratives, storytelling, and related forms of communicated sense-making can help individuals and families understand, negotiate, and improve communication and coping within the context of difficulty and illness. Her research lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln - NARRATIVE NEBRASKA - seeks to implement interdisciplinary, narrative-based interventions to improve caregiving, communication, and psychosocial well-being for families and care providers.
Representative Publications
Voorhees, H.L., Koenig Kellas, J., Palmer-Wackerly, A.L., Gunning, J.N., Marsh, J., & Baker, J. (in press). Making sense of memorable messages about infertility: Examining message valence by theme and sender. Health Communication.
Koenig Kellas, J. (2022). Communicated narrative sense-making theory. In D. O. Braithwaite, & P. Schrodt (Eds.) Engaging theories in interpersonal communication, 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 117-129.
Koenig Kellas, J., & Willer, E. K. (2022). Narrative pedagogy: A practice to connect teacher and student and enhance learning. In M. Houser, & A. Hosek (Eds.) Handbook of instructional communication (pp. 483-499). Kendall Hunt.
Koenig Kellas, J., Baker, J., Cardwell, M., Minniear, M., & Horstman, H. K. (2021). Communicated perspective-taking (CPT) and storylistening: Testing the impact of CPT in the context of friends telling stories of difficulty. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(1), 19-41. Doi: 10.1177/0265407520955239
Koenig Kellas, J., Morgan, T., Taladay, C, Minton, M., Forte, J., & Husmann, E. (2020). Putting CNSM Theory into action: Translational storytelling in the context of parenting. Journal of Family Communication, 20, 360-376. DOI: 10.1080/15267431.2020.1826485
Teaching
Graduate
- COMM 971: The Dark Side of Interpersonal and Family Communication
- COMM 973: Narratives, Storytelling, and Health
Undergraduate
- COMM 283: Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 354: Health Communication
- COMM 373: Narratives and Health
- COMM 471: The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 489: Communication Studies Capstone