Letter From the Dean

Dear Annenberg Community,

It is a joy to welcome you to the second edition of Connections: A Year @ Annenberg. When we launched this magazine last year, our goal was simple — to share the remarkable work of our students, faculty and alumni with a broader community. The enthusiasm and encouragement we received from you affirmed what we know to be true: Annenberg has always been more than a place. It is a community engaged in understanding and reshaping the world.

In this year’s edition, we highlight the innovative research that defines Annenberg. You will find new stories of discovery, impact and collaboration across our four central research networks: Health Communication; Politics, Policy, and Institutions; Cultural Inquiry; and Computational Social Science. These four areas remain essential to our mission, and together they represent the breadth and vitality of our work.

We are also excited to share more information about the launch of a major new initiative: the Master of Communication and Media Industries (MCMI) program. It builds on the legacy of our original master’s program, which trained hundreds of accomplished professionals and scholars who continue to shape the field of communication in meaningful ways.

This past year has also been one of both challenge and possibility. Many of the subjects we study — including race, sexuality, gender and health outcomes — are at the center of public scrutiny and debate. Through it all, our mission to explore communication in all its power, to stand for academic freedom and to care deeply for one another with intention and purpose continues to endure.

Earlier this summer, we lost a dear friend and guiding light, Wallis Annenberg. Her passing is a profound loss. But her work in altruism, social justice and public service continues to inspire us. Using communication as a force for dignity and connection, we will carry her vision forward.

I am proud to share this second edition of Connections: A Year @ Annenberg with you. Whether you are a student, alum, colleague or friend, I invite you to explore these stories, celebrate the accomplishments of our community, and join us in championing communication as a powerful force for understanding and change.

Warmly,
Sarah Banet-Weiser
Walter H. Annenberg Dean and
Lauren Berlant Professor of Communication