Dr. Russell B. Clayton is a Professor of Communication, founding director of the Cognition and Emotion Lab, and the Distinguished and Endowed Provost McKenzie Professor at Florida State University. He is also a research affiliate of the Institute for Successful Longevity and the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation.
Dr. Clayton earned his B.S. in psychology (focus in neurophysiology) and M.A. in health psychology from Texas State University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri with a focus in health and strategic communication. His research is centered on media psychology, health communication, and psychophysiological methods. He is especially interested in evaluating and optimizing persuasive health messages (i.e., drug, alcohol, tobacco, non-tobacco nicotine products) to prevent and reduce substance use in young adults. His research, spanning the subfields of health, advertising, and entertainment, has been published in the leading academic journals in the field including the Journal of Communication; Human Communication Research; Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication; Communication Monographs; Journal of Advertising; Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly; Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media; Health Communication, and Media Psychology. Dr. Clayton has served on, or is currently serving on, the editorial board for six of the leading academic journals in the field. Dr. Clayton teaches courses in media/communication studies and has been student-nominated and recognized with three University-level teaching awards including the University Distinguished Teaching award.
** If you are a current or prospective student and are interested in learning more about research or working in a media psychology research lab, please feel free to email Dr. Clayton (rclayton at fsu.edu) anytime.**
Education
Ph.D. 2015; University of Missouri
M.A. 2012; Texas State University
B.S. 2010; Texas State University
Research Interests
Media Psychology; Health Communication; Tobacco Messaging; Persuasion; Psychophysiology; Experimental Methods
Teaching Interests
Introduction to Media Psychology; Introduction to Mass Media; Quantitative Research Methods; Mass Communication Theory and Effects; Psychology of Advertising; Media Psychophysiology
Publications & Research
Grants & Awards
International Communication Association (top paper, Information Systems Division)
National Communication Association (top paper, Communication and Social Cognition Division)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (Emerging Scholar Award)
American Academy of Advertising (Research Fellowship Award)