Biography
Elizabeth Ray is an Assistant Professor at Florida State University, where she researches and teaches crisis, risk, resilience, and strategic communication. Her work examines how people interpret uncertainty and adversity, and how communication can support their response and recovery. She has studied how audiences understand risk information during extreme weather events, how they judge the credibility of AI-generated crisis messages, and how trauma-informed online interventions support resilience.
Her research appears in Health Communication, the International Journal of Strategic Communication, Weather, Climate, and Society, and the Journal of Public Relations Education.
Elizabeth’s academic work grows out of a career in practice. She worked as a television news reporter across Florida, including in Jacksonville, Panama City, and Gainesville, and later served as Communications and Marketing Director for a statewide hospitality trade association. She has also contributed to communications committees for VISIT FLORIDA, the Council of State Restaurant Associations, and the Florida Public Relations Association’s Capital Chapter. In the classroom, she draws on this experience to show students how strategic communication works with real audiences and real stakes.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys time with her three sons, Elijah, Isaiah, and Caleb, and her husband, Whitney, a phenomenal cook.
Education
- PHD 2020; Florida State University, Communication
- MA 2016; Florida State University, Integrated Marketing Communication
- BS 2008; University of Florida, Telecommunication-News
- BA 2008; University of Florida, Political Science
Research Interests
Crisis Communication, Risk Communication, Resilience, Strategic Communication, Health Communication, Persuasion, Media Effects
Publications & Research
Select Publications
Ray, E. C., Merle, P. F., & Johnson, B. (2026). Uncertain about the new cone? How nonexperts perceive NHC’s experimental track-forecast product. Weather, Climate, and Society, 18(3), 843-855. https://doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-25-0158.1
Waters, R. D., Ray, E. C., & Rolle, E. (2026). Shaping future professionals: Industry perspectives on graduate internships. Journal of Public Relations Education, 12(1), 135-175.
Ray, E. C., Merle, P. F., & Lane, K. (2025). Generating credibility in crisis: Will an AI-scripted response be accepted? International Journal of Strategic Communication, 19(2), 158-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2024.2435494
Ray, E. C., Arpan, L., & Ichplani, P. (2025). When a #selfie is healthy: How self-persuasion through user-generated content influences intentions. Health Communication, 40(14), 3077-3089. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2025.2494847
Ray, E. C., Oehme, K., Perko, A., Bradley, L., & Yoder-Maina, A. (2025). Adapting after adversity: Application and outcomes from resilience-based curricula. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 34(7), 1030-1048. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2025.2490941
Ray, E. C., Perko, A., Oehme, K., Arpan, L., Clark, J., & Bradley, L. (2023). Freshmen anxiety and COVID-19: Practical implications from an online intervention for supporting students affected by health inequities. Journal of American College Health, 71(7), 2234-2243. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1965610
Ray, E. C., & Merle, P. F. (2021). Disgusting face, disease-ridden place? Emoji influence on the interpretation of restaurant inspection reports. Health Communication, 36(14), 1867-1878. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1802867