Biography

Lesa Hatley Major is an associate professor in the Media School.

Her research focuses on framing analysis, health communication and public policy. Currently, she is studying public support for policy changes related to health issues. She has done research on news messages about AIDS for African Americans and creating public support for AIDS interventions. She has published in numerous peer-reviewed mass communication and health communication journals.

Major served as the associate dean for the media school (2013 – 2015) and as interim dean for the IU School of Journalism (2013 -2014). Key responsibilities and projects during her time as an administrator included: Undergraduate curriculum development and approval for media school, academic space planning for $21 million renovation of building that houses the media school, budget management, fundraising responsibilities and staff management.

She was a health reporter and news anchor for 8 years. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in mass communication theory, quantitative research methods, science reporting, and broadcast journalism.

Major has a Ph.D. in mass communication and public affairs from Louisiana State University.

Selected Publications:

Major, L.H. & Jankowski, S.M. (2020). Health News and Responsibility: How Frames Create Blame. Mass Communication and Journalism Series. New York, NY: Peter Lang. ISBN:978-1-4331-4248-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3726/b16213

Major, L. H. (2017).  Mental health news: How frames influence policy and civic engagement intentions. Journal of Health Communication. 23(01), 52 – 60. DOI 10810730.2017.1411994

Coleman, R. Major, L.H. (2014). ­Ethical health communication: A content analysis of predominant frames and primes in public service announcements. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 29(2).

Gall Myrick, J., Major, L.H., Jankowski, S. (2014). The “Who” in mental health reporting: How national television news outlets use sources to tell stories about depression and anxiety. Electronic News, 8(1).

Major, L.H. & Coleman, R. (2012). Complementing the sense-making approach with a survey to enhance communication of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 11(3), 248-270.

Major, L. H. & Coleman, R. (February, 2012). Source credibility and evidence format: Examining the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS messages for young African Americans. Journal of Health Communication, 1-17.

Major, L. H. (2011). Examining the role of framing and emotions in attribution of responsibility for health problems. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 88(3), 502-522.

Major, L. H. & Walker, K. (2010). Newspapers lack substantive reporting on sexual issues. Newspaper Research Journal, 31(4), 62-76.

Holt, L. & Major, L. H. (2010). Frame and blame: An analysis of how national and local newspapers framed the Jena six controversy. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 87(3/4), 582-597.

Major, L. H. (2009). Break it to me harshly: The effects of intersecting news frames on lung cancer and obesity coverage. Journal of Health Communication, 14(2), 174-188.

Sullivan, J., Major, L.H., Goidel, R., & Kurpius, D. (2009). The role of an African American candidate on psychological engagement and political discussion in a local election. Politics & Policy, 37(2), 289-308.

Major, L.H. & Renita Coleman (2008). The intersection of race and gender in election coverage: What happens when the candidates don’t fit the stereotypes? Howard Journal of Communications, 19(4), 315-333.