RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Communication effects and psychological processes
• Global media, social change, and activism
• Science communication and education
• Public understanding of science
• Risk communication

Meghnaa Tallapragada is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. Prior to joining Temple University, Tallapragada held positions in the Department of Communication at Clemson University and the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated from Cornell University with a PhD in Communication and from North Carolina State University with a MS in Communication. She also holds a BE in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from CBIT, India. She is passionate about combining her background as an engineer and a strategic science communication scholar. Through research she strives to bring science and technology closer to people. Her work has been published in journals including Science Communication, Public Understanding of Science, Science and Engineering Ethics, Communication Education, and Public Relations Review. As a teacher, Tallapragada strives to maintain a safe and inclusive space for students so they can develop into creative thinkers who can, not only help solve current public relations dilemmas but also, feel empowered to better their individual selves. She also founded Project Colorism, a research and Instagram project "dedicated to sharing stories of people experiencing colorism, exploring the level of agency they feel about addressing colorism, and the strategies they have built to shield their self-worth from colorist expressions."

Education

Publications

Hardy, B. W., Tallapragada, M., Baik, E. S., & Koshy, A. (2024). Issue ownership of science in the US. Public Understanding of Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662524122919

Tallapragada, M., Mirza, K. A., Eran, D., Renwick, M. J., Ahmed, R., Agarwal, D., & Vucetic, A. (2024). Contributing to the explanatory power of the stigma management communication theory: A study in handling colorist and racist comments. Journal of Applied Communication Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2024.2314619

Tallapragada, M., Sims, R. J., Payton, T. G., Titus, K. R., Bridgeford, K., Fuentes, M., Smith, K. M., Prosser, K. L., & Childress, M. J. (2023). Something Very Fishy (SVF): Avenues of communication to inspire engagement with climate and marine science (pp. 295-310). In J. Burchfield & A. A. Kedrowicz (Eds.), Teaching Communication across Disciplines for Professional Development, Civic Engagement, and Beyond. Lexington Books: Rowman & Littlefield. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666903959/Teaching-Communication-across-Disciplines-for-Professional-Development-Civic-Engagement-and-Beyond

Holbert, R. L., Baik, E. S., Tallapragada, M., Tolan, C., LaMarre, H. L., & Hardy, B. W. (2022). Balancing field-general and subfield-specific contributions when addressing, utilizing, or assessing a theory’s explanatory power.Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 66(4), 515-539. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2022.2120481

Holbert, R. L., Baik, E., Tallapragada, M., Hardy, B., Tolan, C., & LaMarre, H. L. (2022). Pandemic as boundary condition in service to communication theory building. ANNALS of the International Communication Association. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2022.2108878

Tallapragada, M. & Cranmer, G. A. (2022). Media narratives about concussions: Effects on parents’ intention to inform their children about concussions. Communication and Sport, 10(3), 517-540. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479520944549

Burke, M., Tallapragada, M., Bell, T. R, & Cranmer, G. A (2022). Theory in practice: Bystander intervention for concussion reporting. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 35(4), 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/08924562.2022.2070388

Blow, F., Bonney, C. F., Tallapragada, M., & Brown, D. (2021). PRSA’s theoretical and data-driven approach to improving diversity & inclusion in Public Relations. Public Relations Journal, 14(3). https://prjournal.instituteforpr.org/wp-content/uploads/Blow_PRJ14.3.pdf

Hardy, B. W. & Tallapragada, M. (2021). The moderating role of interest in politics and news consumption on the relationship between political ideology on beliefs about science and scientists in the United States. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 24(5), 783-796. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302211013913 

Cranmer, G. A., Rey, R. T*., & Tallapragada, M. (2021). Exploring the role of parents’ sport orientations in the efficacy of concussion intervention materials. Communication Research Reports. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2021.1936480 

Sims, R. J*., Tallapragada, M., Payton, T. G*., Noonan, K*., Prosser, K.L., & Childress, M. J. (2021). University experiences of marine science research and outreach beyond the classroom. Symposium Article. Integrative and Comparative Biology. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab104 

Tallapragada, M., Prosser, K. L., Braffitt, K. F.**., Bridgeford, K. E**., Gleaton, E. C**., Saverance, M. G**., Noonan, K*., Payton, T. G*., Sims, R. J*., Smith, K. M., & Childress, M.J. (2021). Something Very Fishy: An informal STEAM project making a case for ocean conservation and climate change. Environmental Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2021.1913208 

Tallapragada, M. (2021). Pandemics and resiliency: Psychometrics and mental models. In D. M. Berube (Ed.), Pandemic Communication and Resilience (Risk, Systems and Decisions) (pp. 75-87). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77344-1_5

Tallapragada, M., Hardy, B. W., Lybrand, E*., & Hallman, W. K. (2020). Impact of abstract versus concrete conceptualization of genetic modification (GM) technology on public perceptions. Risk Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13591.

Hasell, A., Lyons, B. A., Tallapragada, M., & Jamieson, K. H. (2020). Improving GM consensus acceptance through reduced reactance and climate change-based message targeting. Environmental Communication. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2020.174637

Taylor, S*., Miller, B. L., Tallapragada, M., & Vogel, M. (2020). Veterans' transition out of the military and knowledge of mental health disorders. Journal of Veteran Studies, 6(1), 85-95. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.131

Linvill, D. L., Tallapragada, M., & Kaye, N. B (2019). Engineering identity and communication outcomes: Comparing integrated engineering and traditional public speaking courses. Communication Education, 68(3), 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2019.1608367

Hardy, B. W., Tallapragada, M., Besley, J. C., & Yuan, S. (2019). The effects of the “War on Science” frame on scientists’ credibility. Science Communication, 41(1), 90-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547018822081

Lyons, B. A., Hassel, A., Tallapragada, M., & Jamieson, K. H. (2019) Conversion messages and attitude change: Strong arguments, not costly signals. Public Understanding of Science, 28(3), 320-338. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662518821017

Tallapragada, M. (2018). A new research agenda: Instructional practices of activists mobilizing for science. *Communication Education, 67,* 467-472. doi:10.1080/03634523.2018.1502460

Tallapragada, M., & Hallman, W. K. (2018). Implementing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard: Will consumers use QR codes to check for genetically modified (GM) ingredients in food products? AgBioForum, 21, 44-60.

Tallapragada, M., Eosco, G. M., & McComas, K. A. (2017). Aware, yet ignorant: The influences of funding and conflicts of interests in research among early career researchers. Science & Engineering Ethics, 23, 147-164. doi:10.1007/s11948-016-9764-3

Tallapragada, M., Williams, K., & Schrader, D. E. (2016). Intellectual safety: Does your personality type contribute to whether or not you take intellectual risks in classes? Classroom Research Working Paper Series, 4, 70-88. Available at https://cirtl.cornell.edu/resources/teaching-as-research/working-papers/

Scherer, C. W., Porticella, N. A., Tallapragada, M., & Deline, M. E. (2015). The themes of the Hudson river: A content analysis of newspapers along the Hudson river. New York State Water Resource Institute. Available at https://wri.cals.cornell.edu/sites/wri.cals.cornell.edu/files/shared/doc...

Eosco, E., Tallapragada, M., McComas, K. A., & Brady, M. (2014). Exploring societal and ethical views of nanotechnology REUs. Nanoethics, 8, 91-99. doi:10.1007/s11569-014-0192-z

Tallapragada, M., Misaras, I. C., Burke, K., & Waters, R. D. (2012). Identifying the best practices of media-catching: A national survey of media relations practitioners. Public Relations Review, 38, 926-931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2012.08.001

Conference presentations

Tallapragada, M. (2024, June). Addressing the phrase, “I’m in PR, because I hate math:” Building closeness to numbers in public relations. Paper presentation at the 74^th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.

Hardy, B. W., Tallapragada, M., Baik, E. S^G., & Koshy, A^G. (2024, June). Issue ownership of science in the United States. Paper presentation at the 74^th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.

Tallapragada, M., Mirza, K. A^U., Eran, D^U., Renwick, M. J^U., Ahmed, R^U., Agarwal, D., & Vucetic, A. Exploring the internal boundary conditions of the stigma management communication theory: Handling colorist and racist comments in interpersonal communication (2023, May). Paper presented at the 73^rd annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Toronto, Canada.

Feistman, G., Ryan, S., & Tallapragada, M. (2023, March). Teaching emerging technologies in higher ed public relations: A look at perceived awareness, attitudes, abilities, access, and application. Panel presentation at the Institute for Public Relations Bridge Conference, Washington, D.C.

Childress, M. J., Tallapragada, M., & Prosser, K. L. (2022, July). Something Very Fishy Online: Comparing the impact of a marine science STEAM program from theatre to Zoom room. The 2022 National Marine Educators Association Conference (NMEA). (Virtual)

Holbert, R. L., Hardy, B. W., Tallapragada, M., Baik, E. S., Tolan, C. M., & LaMarre, H. L. (2022, May). Pandemic as boundary condition in service to communication theory building.  Paper presentation at the 72nd annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Paris, France. 

Castonguay, J., Messina, N., & Tallapragada, M. (2022, May). Thirty years of researching food advertising to children: A review of the use of theory, methodology, and recommendations across disciplines. Paper presentation at the 72nd annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Paris, France. 

Bell, T. R., Tallapragada, M., Burke, M., & Cranmer, G. A (2022, March). Analyzing messaging and reception of the Concussion Legacy Foundation’s “Team Up Speak Up” initiative. The International Association for Communication and Sport (IACS). New Jersey and Philadelphia. 

Cranmer, G. A., Rey, R. T*., & Tallapragada, M. (2021, November). Exploring the role of parents’ sport orientations in the efficacy of concussion intervention materials. Paper presentation at the 107^th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA). Seattle, WA. 

Tallapragada, M. (2021, November). Project Colorism. Using Communication Activism Pedagogy to Address Anti-Blackness. Panel presentation at the 107^th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA). Seattle, WA. 

Prosser, K. L. & Tallapragada, M. (2021, November). Something Very Fishy: A STEAM approach illustrating communication across disciplines with a goal of inspiring environmental conservation. Communication Across Disciplines: Transforming Social and Professional Landscapes. Pre-conference presentation at the 107^th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA). Seattle, WA. 

Tallapragada, M. (2021, November). The critical role of communication in supporting veteran reintegration into civilian life. Panel organizer and respondent at the 107^th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA). Seattle, WA. 

Tallapragada, M. & Brown, D. W. (2021, November). The DIRE strategic model of public relations. Paper presentation at the 107^th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA). Seattle, WA.

Childress, M. J., Sims, R.J., Payton, T.G., Tallapragada, M. & Prosser, K.L. (2021, July). Something Very Fishy: A STEAM approach to teaching climate and ocean literacy. The 2021 National Marine Educators Association Conference. (Virtual) 

Tallapragada, M., & Hardy, B. W. (2021, May). The science immersion measure of media and conversation. Paper presentation at the 71st annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA). Denver, CO. (Virtual)

Bullock, L. & Tallapragada, M. (2021, March). How to navigate the integration of tech into PR. Mid-Atlantic District Conference: Progress Through Tech. Public Relations Students Society of America. Philadelphia, PA. (Virtual)

Childress, M. J., Tallapragada, M. & Prosser, K. L. (2021, January). Something Very Fishy: An ocean literacy STEAM exhibit impacts how children, teachers, and university students think about science. Biology Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning through Authentic Research, Design, and Community Engagement III. The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.

Tallapragada, M., Hardy, B. W., Lybrand, E*., & Hallman, W. K. (2020, May). Impact of abstract versus concrete conceptualization of genetic modification (GM) technology on public perceptions. Paper presentation at the 70^th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, AUS.

Tallapragada, M., Hardy, B. W., Lybrand, E*., & Hallman, W. K. (2019, December). Consequences of abstract versus concrete conceptualization of genetic modification (GM): Public’s general disapproval of GM but specific approval of GM applications. Poster presentation at the 2019 annual meeting of Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). Arlington, VA.

Anaraky, R. G*., Freeman, G., Tallapragada, M., Aragin, O. R., & Knijnenburg, B. P. (2019, November). The dark side of social media: What makes some users more vulnerable than others? Poster presentation at the 22nd ACM conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW). Austin, TX.

Hardy, B. W. & Tallapragada, M. (2019, November). News use, political identity, and the ownership of science. Paper selected to be presented at the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.

Tallapragada, M. (2019, November). Instructing emerging STEM professionals, science communicators, and informed citizens to address the STEM communication environment. Chair & presenter. Panel selected to be presented at the 105th annual conference of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.

Linvill, D. L., Tallapragada, M., & Kaye, N. B (2019, June). Training future engineers to become better communicators: The effects of engineering-specific communication courses on student attitudes and identity. Paper presented at the 2019 American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Tampa, FL.

Hassel, A.*, Tallapragada, M., & Brossard, D. (2019, May). Deference to scientific authority, trust in science, and credibility of scientific expertise: Distinguishing the three connected constructs in science communication. Paper presented at the 69th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C. (*Shared first authorship)

Linvill, D. L., Tallapragada, M., & Kaye, N. B. (2019, May). Engineering identity and communication outcomes: Comparing integrated engineering and traditional public speaking courses. Paper presented at the 69th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C.

Hassel, A., Lyons, B. A., Tallapragada, M., & Jamieson, K. H. (2019, May). Using nonfiction narrative messages to reduce reactance to science consensus information. Paper presented at the 69th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C.

Hardy, B. W., Tallapragada, M., Besley, J. C., & Yuan, S. (2018, November). The effects of the “War on Science” frame on scientists’ credibility. Paper presented at the 104th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA), Salt Lake City, UT.

Tallapragada, M., & Hallman, W. K. (2018, August). What’s in it for us? Understanding perceptions of genetic modification when framed in context and relevance to individuals and their communities. Panel participation at the 2018 Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference, Washington, DC.

Tallapragada, M. (2017, November). Learning science in activist groups: Division of learning labor through transactive memory systems resulting in collective minds. Paper presented at the 103rd annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA), Dallas, TX.

Tallapragada, M., Cuite, C. L. & Hallman, W. K. (2017, May). Construal level theory and psychological distance in environmental messaging: Understanding the public’s general disapproval of genetic modification (GM), but approval of specific GM applications. Paper presented at the 68th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, CA.

Tallapragada, M. (2016, November). Activist groups. Group communication: More than decision making or problem solving. Panel participation at the 102nd annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA), Philadelphia, PA.

Tallapragada, M., Eosco, G. M., McComas, K. A. (2015, August). Aware, yet ignorant: The influences of funding and conflicts of interests in research among early career researchers. Paper presented at the 2015 Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference, San Francisco, CA.

Tallapragada, M., Schrader, D.E, & Williams, K. (2015, May). Feel safe in your classroom? Classroom teaching and research symposium. Paper presented at the Symposium of Cornell University’s Center for Teaching Excellence and Center for Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning, Ithaca, NY.

Tallapragada, M., Eosco, G. E., Deline, M. B. & Scherer, C. W. (2014, December). Influence of community structure on environmental communication: A content analysis along the local newspapers of the Hudson river valley. Poster presented at the 2014 annual meeting of Society for Risk Analysis (SRA), Denver, CO.

Tallapragada, M. (2014, November). Expanding the “locus of control”: Co-producing a fair assessment system. Proposal presented at the 100th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA), Chicago, IL.

Tallapragada, M. (2014, March). Are activists experts? Consequences for deliberation in hydraulic fracturing. Extended abstract presented at the Northeast Science & Technology Studies Graduate Student Conference of Department of Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Tallapragada, M., Shanahan, J. & Lewenstein, B. V. (2013, August). Controversial science in the Indian fourth estate: A content analysis of media presentations of GM eggplant. Paper presented at the annual symposium of the Department of Communication, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Tallapragada, M. (2013, June). Challenges of a rejected technology: Communication solutions to the Bt eggplant case in rural India. Poster presented at the 64th annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), London, UK.

Eosco, G. M., Tallapragada, M., McComas, K. A., & Brady, M. (2012, December). Stimulating reflective research among undergraduate researchers of nanotechnology. Poster presented at 2012 annual meeting of Society of Risk Analysis (SRA), San Francisco, CA.

Dannels, D. & Tallapragada, M. (2011, November). The "foreign" voice: Using research and narratives of international teaching assistants to design training and development. Co-facilitator and presenter at the 97th annual conference of the National Communication Association (NCA), New Orleans, LA.

Tallapragada, M. (2010, March). Public engagement in developing countries: A proposal for engagement for nanotechnology in water purification. Received first place in the Humanities & Design division at 5th annual North Carolina State University graduate student research symposium, Raleigh, NC.

Tallapragada, M. (2010, April). Public engagement in developing countries. Poster presented at the 101st annual conference of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Convention, Baltimore, MD.

**undergraduate student, *graduate student

Grants

Co-Principal Investigator (2023-2025). Developing wheat genotypes with reduced immunogenicity and enhanced lysine content. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). PI: Dr. Sachin Rustgi. ($649,888).

Co-Principal Investigator (2022-2023). Exploring the efficacy of concussion reporting materials with collegiate club sport athletes. Selwyn House. PI: Dr. Greg Cranmer ($5,000).

Co-Principal Investigator (2020-2024). Cover crop inter-seeding in organic corn production to reduce resource inputs and soil disturbance and enhance pest control and farm profitability. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2022-2024. PI: Sruthi Narayanan Kutty ($371,000). 

Co-Principal Investigator (2020-2022). Something Very Fishy: A Marine Science STEAM Program for Elementary Schools. South Carolina Sea Grant. PI: Dr. Michael Childress, Clemson University. ($125,000)

Co-Principal Director (2020). Diversity and Inclusion Research. Public Relations Society of America. Principal Director: David Brown, Temple University. ($2,500)

Co-Investigator (2019). Something very fishy: Marine ecology STEAM exhibit. South Carolina Arts Commission: Arts Education Project Grant. PI: Dr. Michael Childress; Community Partner: Kathy Prosser, Educational Entertainment (Granted: $11,071).

Principal Investigator (2018). Fulfilling the promise of biotechnology: Understanding public’s general disapproval of genetic modification (GM), but approval of specific GM applications.  Tier II: The Clemson Support for Early Exploration and Development (CU SEED) Grant Program. Co-PI: Dr. William K. Hallman, Rutgers University (Granted $9,783; Funding one graduate student at an hourly rate; July 2018 – June 2019).

COURSES TAUGHT