Marco Dehnert

marco dehnert

I am an Assistant Professor of Communication and Technology at the University of Arkansas, USA. My work focuses on how people communicate through and with machines, for example social robots, AI companions, or virtual reality.

+research

FOCUS+

Human Machine

Communication

human-Ai

relationships

Social impact

of comm tech

critical/cultural

studies

Sexuality

Studies

expertise & research

work

PUBLICATIONS

MEDIA & PRESS

TEACHING

Understanding

Communication & Technology

To Build Better Futures

In my work, I use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches including interviews, textual analysis, thematic analysis, surveys, and experiments. My work integrates methods, concepts, and theories from a variety of disciplines and areas including communication studies, social robotics, new materialism, critical/cultural studies, human-computer and human-robot interaction, as well as sexuality studies.

multi-method social scientist

I am a multi-method social scientist with expertise in human-machine communication, human-AI communication, and the social impact of communication technologies.

Role and Academic Background

I am an Assistant Professor of Communication and Technology at the University of Arkansas in beautiful Fayetteville, AR, right in the Ozarks.
PhD: Arizona State University

Selected Honors and Awards

Outstanding Dissertation Award, Human Communication and Technology Division, National Communication Association
Outstanding Article Award, Human Communication and Technology Division, National Communication Association for Dehnert & Mongeau (2022)
Outstanding Scholarship Award, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Caucus, Central States Communication Association for Dehnert, Brouwer, & LeMaster (2022)
5+ Top Paper Awards from International, National, and Regional Conferences
Teaching Excellence Award, Arizona State University
Outstanding Doctoral Student Research, Teaching, and Service Awards, Arizona State University

research

I have published nearly two dozen articles and chapters in academic journals and books, including Human Communication Research, Human-Machine Communication, and the International Journal of Social Robotics. I regularly give talks, presentations, and workshops at national and international conferences. My research has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the National Communication Association’s Human Communication and Technology Division.

media & Press

Committed to making academic research accessible, understandable, and useful, I have been featured in several interviews, news articles, and podcasts by the BBC, NPR, Psychology Today, Katie Couric Media, Scripps News, and others. I have written for the Independent and the Conversation.

Let's connect

Don’t hesitate to contact me. I am also happy to share copies of my work in case you or your institution do not have access. Fill out the form below and I will be in touch soon!