Claudia Kozman, assistant professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication faculty at Northwestern University in Qatar, has been selected for the Presidential Task Force on Undergraduate Research and Engagement by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). This initiative investigates the challenges and opportunities in undergraduate research within journalism and mass communication programs, with the goal of enhancing academic and professional practices in the field.
As a member of the task force, Kozman will collaborate with leading scholars and experts to explore ways to advance undergraduate research, foster greater student engagement, and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence in journalism education. The task force contributes to shaping the future of media scholarship, ensuring that emerging media scholars and professionals are equipped with the research skills and insights they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
“I have been a strong proponent of undergraduate research since I started teaching research methods courses eight years ago. The more I engaged with students, the more I saw the need to instill a research mentality in undergraduates,” said Kozman. “Since I started my academic career, I have put all my effort into making research more approachable to journalism and communication students. This is the main reason I love teaching research methods and analysis courses,” she added.
Kozman is a distinguished scholar whose research focuses on the intersection of media, conflict, sports, and public perceptions of news. With a Ph.D. from Indiana University, she integrates communication theories into a broader media systems approach, analyzing how external factors such as politics and law influence news content. Her work explores how media shapes public understanding of conflict and how people’s media consumption patterns change during periods of crisis, as well as examining broader media dependency trends.
Her research interests also include framing, sourcing, and selection biases in news consumption, particularly during conflicts. Kozman has published widely on the role of media in shaping political and societal narratives, including examining the media coverage of major political events, such as war and conflict in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
Before transitioning into academia, Kozman worked as a journalist for over 13 years, covering major regional and international sports events, such as the Winter Olympics Games, in print, broadcast, and digital media. Her extensive hands-on experience in the media industry provides a valuable, practical lens for her academic research and teaching.
At Northwestern Qatar, Kozman teaches courses in news reporting, research methods, sports journalism, and the broader role of media in society. Her AEJMC involvement extends her focus on elevating the quality of journalism education and advancing meaningful dialogue on the future of undergraduate journalism programs.
“Claudia’s appointment to the AEJMC Presidential Task Force reflects Northwestern University in Qatar's commitment to advancing media scholarship and education on a global scale. Her participation in this task force further strengthens our university’s role in shaping the future of journalism education, while contributing to the professional development of the next generation of media scholars and practitioners ”
Aikat said: “We appreciate Dr. Kozman’s commitment to AEJMC, the premier 112-year-old scholarly organization with members in 43 countries across six continents. We cherish her energy and enthusiasm to elevate the visibility and participation of undergraduate students in our field.”
“Dr. Claudia Kozman brings perspicacious perspectives to the AEJMC's Presidential Task Force on Undergraduate Research and Engagement. Her scholarly expertise and experience has been an ideal match for the Task Force's mission and charge. We appreciate Dr. Kozman’s commitment to AEJMC, the premier 112-year-old scholarly organization with members in 43 countries across six continents. We cherish her energy and enthusiasm to elevate the visibility and participation of undergraduate students in our field”
