Jody Koenig Kellas

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Jody Koenig Kellas

Chairperson, Willa Cather Professor Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Contact

Address
LPH 355
Lincoln, NE 68588-0329
Phone
402-472-2070 On-campus 2-2070
Email
jkellas2@unl.edu
Website

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.

Education

Ph.D., University of Washington, 2002

Representative Publications

  • Fivush, R., & Koenig Kellas, J. (2025). Parental and family storytelling across the generations: An interdisciplinary review. Introduction to a special issue of Parenting: Science and Practice on Family Storytelling Across the Generations. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295192.2025.2450497 
  • Taladay-Carter, C. R., & Koenig Kellas, J. (2024). “We’ve Had to Relearn All of Our Family Dynamics”: Communicated Narrative Sense-Making of Bereavement Following Terminal Illness in US Families. Journal of Family Communication, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2024.2325951 
  • 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., 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 (including study abroad version in Southern Italy)
  • COMM 471: The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 489: Communication Studies Capstone