Stephen J. McConnell

Dr. Stephen J. McConnell is an award-winning teacher, researcher and journalist whose career began investigating government corruption, transitioned to launching a digital marketing company and pivoted to currently evaluating the impacts of artificial intelligence on media work and communication.

McConnell’s publication record includes refereed journal articles, op-eds, features, enterprise and investigative journalism, marketing collateral, and creative writing. Much of his work has focused on protecting communities from corporate and government harm and environmental protection.

Holding a Ph.D. in public communication and technology from Colorado State University, his research analyzes the intersections of AI, digital communication platforms and human behavior, particularly exploring the implications of AI and machine learning communication systems, like social media, on human agency and productivity through social science and social psychology frameworks.

McConnell teaches at the University of North Carolina’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media and New York University, where he has taught digital storytelling and media ethics at UNC and pioneered a communications and AI certificate program at NYU.

A keynote speaker, McConnell has delivered high impact talks on AI and communication, most recently for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and the New York State Communication Association. He has also presented his research worldwide, including in China, Ireland, Canada and France.

As the owner of Guiding Type, a digital marketing and content development company, McConnell crafted strategies and a wide range of multimedia content for clients. In the classroom, Stephen encourages empowering positive self-belief in students in conversation with learning media skills, knowledge and techniques. Since 2017, he has taught at R1 universities across the U.S.

Education

• Ph.D., Colorado State University
• M.S., New York University
• B.S., Radford University