Nikki McClaran

Assistant Professor of Public Relations

Hometown: I was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but Michigan is where I feel most at home.

Primary research interest: My research focuses on health communication and how media, particularly entertainment media, influences people’s thoughts, beliefs and actions regarding health. I am also interested in the way the media persuades audiences, even when it’s not intentional.

Hobbies: Reading and yoga are my everyday hobbies, and I’m hoping to put more time toward épée after moving to Eugene.

Favorite book: My favorite nonfiction book is “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion. Fiction is much more challenging — my answer changes based on what interest I’m focusing on — but I would say I really enjoyed “Writers & Lovers” by Lily King.

Favorite artist: Well, it’s a running joke that Josh Groban is the superior artist in my life. But I would say that a band that is always on my Spotify is Oasis.

Favorite quote: The quote that drives who I am is, “Honesty without compassion is cruelty.” But something that sums up who I am as a person, I think a line in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” is best: “It occurred to me that my vision of the fig tree and all the fat figs that withered and fell to the earth might well have arisen from the profound void of an empty stomach.” It reminds me not to take life too seriously and to consider the context of our worries, struggles and decisions.

Say “hello!”: Connect with Nikki on Twitter or LinkedIn and review her work on her portfolio.

Sharon-Nicole “Nikki” McClaran believes that if you want to understand how to be a good communicator, you have to delve into the world of media and its impacts. As a new assistant professor for public relations at the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), this means exploring how entertainment media influences health behaviors and perceptions.

In her role as a public relations faculty member, McClaran aims to teach students how to bridge the gap between health communication and effective media representation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how media — intentionally or not — can shape what the public believes and how people act. To achieve this, students need to engage with diverse media sources and critically analyze their content. 

McClaran’s work, which ranges from health communication research to analyzing the persuasive power of entertainment media, highlights the intersection of media consumption and health behavior. She aims to not only elucidate how health information is conveyed, but also empower students to interact with their own research to create impactful, evidence-based strategies.

McClaran, who joined the SOJC faculty this term, brings a rich background in health communication and media studies. Before accepting the position at UO, she completed her Ph.D. at Michigan State University, where her research was guided by her influential mentor Nancy Rhodes. McClaran’s academic journey began in Kansas City, Missouri, and took her through various cross-country moves, including significant research and teaching experiences.

Her interest in health communication is deeply rooted in her fascination with the media's unintended persuasive effects. Inspired initially by characters from shows like “Criminal Minds,” McClaran’s career has been shaped by her desire to understand and leverage the power of media pertaining to public health. She plans to encourage students to critically engage with media and understand the profound impacts it has.

McClaran, in her own words, delved further into her career and projects.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Nikki McClaran: My Ph.D. adviser at Michigan State University, Nancy Rhodes. Her work inspired me, and she has been an incredible mentor. She’s shaped how I approach issues and new ideas in my field.

Why did you decide to join the SOJC faculty?

NM: The SOJC has a strong commitment to science communication, as evidenced by its dedicated minor, which caught my interest. The collaborative and welcoming environment, along with its impressive faculty, made it an appealing place to further my own work and contribute to the growth of health communication within the program.

What do you hope to accomplish here?

NM: I want to build and strengthen the health communication focus within the SOJC. I want to empower students by giving them the confidence and tools to pursue their interests, ensuring they feel capable of mastering any subject they choose to explore.

What do you hope students will gain from your classes?

NM: I want students to feel confident in their abilities and equipped with the right tools to pursue their interests. By demystifying research and making it approachable, I hope to spark curiosity and empower students to investigate and understand the world around them.

How do you plan to incorporate your primary interests within the classroom?

NM: Everyone makes daily health decisions and most likely uses entertainment media. By showing students how those decisions are made, and to what effect, it makes research relatable to my students, hopefully making it approachable and interesting. I feel like it makes research more approachable and interesting.

What kinds of classes do you want to teach, and what content do you hope to cover in the future?

NM: I typically teach Intro to Research and Intro to Writing, particularly in public relations and strategic communication. I want to show students that research can be interesting and empower them to investigate various topics confidently. I’d love to teach a class specifically on health communication and how to research that subject.

What are three things you want every student to know about you?

NM: My top bucket list item is to swim with great white or bull sharks; my pride and joy is my dog, Sherlock; and my home library has over 1,500 books. 

To throw my millennial card in there: I’m a Leo, ENTJ, Type 3, Slytherin (Hufflepuff moon), Fire Bender and a rooster.

—By Ethan Donahue, class of ’26

Ethan Donahue is a journalism major with a double major in history. He is part of the School of Journalism and Communication’s direct-admit and honors programs. He is also part of the Clark Honors College. He holds an interest in investigative and conflict journalism and is working on a thesis focusing on how journalism, propaganda and the U.S. government interact during conflicts.