Overview

My research explores how agricultural communication education can better prepare students and professionals to communicate complex agricultural issues with clarity, credibility, and context. A central focus of my work is agricultural literacy within agricultural communications, particularly identifying the competencies communicators need to effectively interpret and communicate agricultural topics across sectors.

I am particularly interested in applied research that connects industry needs, curriculum development, and communication practice. My work also explores how emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, are shaping communication and how these tools can be integrated responsibly into agricultural communication education.

Research Areas

Agricultural Literacy and Workforce Competencies

My dissertation examines agricultural literacy competencies necessary for success in agricultural communications careers. This work explores how curriculum can better align with industry expectations and prepare graduates to communicate complex agricultural topics across agricultural sectors.

Media Framing and Agricultural Issues Communication

I study how agricultural issues are communicated through media and public messaging, including crisis communication, message framing, and science communication related to complex agricultural topics.

Emerging Media and Communication Technologies

My research explores how emerging digital tools and technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, are shaping communication practices and how these tools can be integrated into communication education in ethical and effective ways.

Innovative Teaching and Pedagogy

As an educator, I am interested in teaching strategies that support student learning and professional development in agricultural communications, including experiential learning, project-based coursework, and classroom innovations that help students build confidence as communicators.

Current Projects

Articles in Review

Apple, T. K., Palmer, K., McCrary, A., Berthold, A., & Leggette, H. Evaluating the effectiveness of educational mailers for septic system owners in the Attoyac Bayou Watershed. Journal of Applied Communications (in review).
Palmer, K., Landaverde, R., Benitez, J. A., Apple, T. K., Norris-Parish, S., Leggette, H., & Dooley, K. Gauging student perceptions of artificial intelligence in agricultural leadership, education, and communications. Natural Sciences Education (in review).

For a complete list of publications and presentations, please see my CV.

Topics of Other Current Projects

Agricultural literacy competencies for agricultural communications graduates (dissertation research)
Message framing and media coverage of emerging agricultural issues
Crisis communication and early messaging in animal disease outbreaks
Student perceptions and uses of generative artificial intelligence in agricultural communication
Pedagogical strategies that support student confidence, creativity, and communication skill development