Michael Burns

Michael Burns, Ph.D.
SENIOR LECTURER
Department of Communication Studies
College of Fine Arts and Communication
512.245.5472
mburns@txstate.edu

Areas of Interest:  Persuasion, Message Development, Instructional Communication, Higher Education, Training and Development

Dr. Burns teaches large lectures of COMM 1310 and several other courses including: small group communication, persuasion, sport communication, training and development, and honors courses.

Dr. Burns is an applied communication researcher and conducts theoretically-based research with practical applications. He has published and presented research in the areas of persuasion, message development, higher education, narrative influence, interpersonal communication, family communication, and instructional communication. Dr. Burns uses mix methods in his research. He is an active member of the Central States Communication Association and the National Communication Association.

Dr. Burns' professional experiences outside of academia include working for NBC’s Today Show at the 2006 Torino, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. While at the Today Show he worked on the production management and logistics team. Dr. Burns also worked as a communication specialist for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He currently serves as a Faculty in Residence for the Texas State Department of Residential Life and the Honors College.