Elizabeth Avery Foster

Elizabeth Avery Foster, “Beth,” is a Professor of Public Relations and was Co-Director of the Risk, Health, and Crisis Communication Organized Research Unit at the University of Tennessee from 2009-2013. Foster has published more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented 50 pieces of original research at national and international academic conferences. Her research unit received $156,000 in funding from the University of Tennessee Office of Research.

She recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop interventions for the opioid epidemic in rural Appalachia. In addition to numerous other internal funding awards, Foster has applied for more than $2 million in grants from agencies including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation. Foster’s research won the College-wide research award for top faculty researcher in 2010 and 2017.

Education

PhD, Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 2006
MA, Communication, Wake Forest University, 2003
ABJ, Public Relations, The University of Georgia, 1997

Research Interests

Health Communication
Crisis Communication
Public Relations
Public Health Campaigns