Faculty and Staff Profile

Carlina DiRusso

Educational Background

Ph.D. Mass Communications
Pennsylvania State University 2021

M.A. Communication Theory & Methodology
Cleveland State University 2017

B.A. Strategic Communication
The Ohio State University 2014

Courses Taught

COMM 3550 Principles of Public Relations
COMM 3840 Communication in Health Organizations

Profile

Dr. Carlina DiRusso is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication. Her research explores persuasive message design by understanding how individuals emotionally and cognitively process persuasive information. With an emphasis on health and science communication, her past work has studied topics like chronic pain, vaccination beliefs, plastic pollution, and greenwashing. Before joining Clemson, Dr. DiRusso spent five years at a global communications consultancy where she researched and developed communication strategy for clients like Clorox, Philips, AstraZeneca and SLB. Having been involved in both regional and global campaigns, she has experience in strategic planning, audience profiling, digital analytics, and traditional market research.

Research Interests

Persuasion
Message Design
Emotional Frames
Information Processing
Health & Science Communication

Research Publications

LaVail, K., DiRusso, C., & Voges, T. (2024). Research, analytics and intelligence in issues and crises. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 32, e12574. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12574

DiRusso, C., Buckley, C., Diddi, P., Dardis, F. E., Vafeiadis, M., Eng, N. (2022). Designing effective corporate social advocacy campaigns using valence, arousal, and issue salience. Public Relations Review, 48(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102207

DiRusso. C., & Stansberry, K. (2022). UnVaxxed: A cultural study of the online anti-vaccination movement. Qualitative Health Research, 32(2), 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F10497323211056050

DiRusso, C., & Myrick, J. G. (2021). Sustainability in corporate social responsibility messages: Emotions as frames that influence memory, attitudes, and CSR participation intentions. Environmental Communication, 15(8), 1045-1060. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2021.1933120

Eng, N., DiRusso, C., Troy, C. L. C., Freeman, J. T., Liao, M. Q., Sun, Y. (2021). ‘I had no idea that greenwashing was even a thing’: Identifying the cognitive mechanisms of exemplars in greenwashing literacy interventions. Environmental Education Research, 27(11), 1599-1617. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1976732