The Department of Communication is a national leader in the study of communication as a social science, ranked among the top five by the National Research Council.

Our faculty and students are dedicated to understanding the role and enhancing the effectiveness of communication processes, systems and infrastructure in society. We explore communication in its many forms and contexts as a fundamentally social phenomenon. Our faculty members are recognized for developing and applying novel theoretical perspectives to the most pressing social and policy issues of the day.  

Our Programs & Research

Undergraduate

Our carefully constructed curriculum provides a core of contemporary communication knowledge, theory and practice: Students learn how communication influences attitudes, opinions and behaviors; how communication systems work in society; and how to apply this understanding of communication to solve problems, sustain the environment, reach the public with new knowledge, and manage the intricate networks of technologies.

Graduate

Our faculty and associated Graduate Field of Communication ensure that students are familiar with a wide range of tools, theories and methods, and can use these skills in original empirical research that asks and answers theoretically driven, socially relevant questions. Drawing from Cornell’s outstanding scholars and resources in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities, our students find new ways to investigate how communication shapes society.

Research

We engage in a rich variety of research at the cutting edge of the field of communication and related disciplines, conducting research in many different areas. We encourage undergraduate and graduate students to explore faculty research areas and contact individual faculty members if interested in getting involved with research. Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to do research.

Communication in the News

Women's dialogue circle

Field Note

Sushmi Majumder ’25 is envisioning new possibilities for community-based empowerment with solutions at the nexus of communication and global development. As a CALS Global Fellow, Sushmi implemented a storytelling initiative that empowered local...
  • CALS Global Fellows Program
  • Department of Communication
  • Department of Global Development
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow Nodira Kurbanbaeva (left) of Uzbekistan shakes hands with Ed Mabaya in a classroom.

News

The Humphrey PACT Program promotes research collaboration between undergraduates and Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows, midcareer professionals specialized in agriculture, rural development and natural resource management, who spend one year at Cornell...

  • Department of Global Development
  • Agriculture
  • Energy
The silhouette of a man vaping in front of a blue background

News

In a study involving 16 focus groups, a multidisciplinary research team found that uncertain and vague language on the warning labels of electronic cigarettes was confusing and reduced risk perceptions.

  • Department of Communication
  • Communication
  • Health + Nutrition

News

Cornell is one of six universities receiving a total of $20 million over five years to form an institute aiming to create more climate-smart practices that will curb greenhouse gas emissions while boosting the agriculture and forestry industries...

  • Cornell Atkinson
  • Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture
  • Department of Communication

Contact Us

450 Mann Library Building
phone: (607) 254-6278
email: communication [at] cornell.edu
We are located on the 4th floor of Mann Library, accessible only by the stairs/elevators within the library, which are just past the circulation desk.

Department Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm
Friday, 8am to 3:30pm