Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind | AI Technology | Best Researcher Award

University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business | United States

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind, PhD, is an accomplished scholar, author, and educator whose career bridges the fields of rhetoric, communication, media studies, and business communication. Currently serving as Associate Professor of Clinical Business Communication and Academic Director of the part-time MBA (MBA.PM) program at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, Dr. Lind has built a reputation as a thought leader in integrating traditional rhetorical studies with cutting-edge digital technologies. His scholarship spans religion and media, communication in business contexts, and the application of artificial intelligence in education and workplace communication. He is widely recognized for his book A Charlie Brown Religion: Exploring the Spiritual Life and Work of Charles M. Schulz, which examines cultural narratives and faith in popular media. In addition to his extensive research contributions, Dr. Lind has published across prestigious journals and regularly engages with international conferences to advance the practice and pedagogy of business communication. His op-eds and commentaries have also reached a broader public audience in global outlets such as The Hill, Fast Company, CNN, Fortune, and LA Times. With a unique blend of academic rigor, innovative teaching, and public scholarship, Dr. Lind continues to shape the landscape of communication research and education.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS | ORCID 

Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind holds a distinguished academic background in communication, rhetoric, and cultural studies. He earned his Ph.D. with distinction in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design from Clemson University, where his dissertation, “Schulz’s Religion: Exploring Faith in the Mainstream Media through the Peanuts Franchise,” analyzed media narratives through interdisciplinary frameworks. His doctoral research was guided by esteemed faculty, including Andrew C. Billings, Stephanie L. Barczewski, Cynthia Haynes, and M. Thomas Inge, combining expertise in media studies, communication, and cultural analysis. Prior to his doctoral work, Dr. Lind completed an M.A. in Speech Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in rhetoric and cultural studies under the mentorship of Professor Debra Hawhee. His undergraduate training was completed at Liberty University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Communication Studies, complemented by a minor in Philosophy. His academic journey has been strengthened by professional training, including a Certificate in Change Management from Cornell University, which enhanced his leadership skills in organizational communication. This robust educational foundation prepared Dr. Lind for his interdisciplinary research career, allowing him to engage in both theoretical scholarship and applied communication studies in business, media, and education.

Professional Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind professional trajectory reflects an impressive blend of teaching, leadership, and scholarly contribution across prestigious universities. At the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, he currently serves as Associate Professor of Clinical Business Communication and Academic Director of the MBA.PM program, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses such as Communication Strategy in Business, Advanced Writing for Business, and Communication for Management. His teaching emphasizes strategic persuasion, leadership communication, and digital communication technologies in modern business practice. Prior to USC, Dr. Lind spent nearly a decade at Washington and Lee University, where he advanced to Associate Professor of Business Communication and earned tenure in 2020. There, he taught business communication, digital media, and interdisciplinary courses connecting communication to marketing and management. His earlier career included academic positions at Clemson University, where he served as Assistant Director of Online Education and Graduate Teacher of Record, and at the University of Illinois and Liberty University, where he began developing his expertise in rhetoric and communication pedagogy. He also gained experience with the University of Phoenix, teaching communication and business-related courses online. Across these roles, Dr. Lind has demonstrated excellence in teaching, curriculum innovation, and academic leadership.

Research Interests

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind research interests span the intersections of business communication, media studies, rhetoric, and digital technologies. His work frequently explores how communication is shaped by evolving technological platforms, including the role of artificial intelligence in education and workplace communication, with particular focus on AI avatars and digital communication strategies. He has also contributed significantly to the study of religion, culture, and media, most notably through his work on the Peanuts franchise and popular culture’s intersections with faith and identity. His interests extend into digital pedagogy and instructional design, examining how communication technologies can be integrated into teaching and professional training. In business contexts, Dr. Lind’s research explores persuasion, rhetorical strategies, viral marketing, and professional communication practices, combining theoretical insights with practical applications. Internationally, his participation in the Association for Business Communication conferences has allowed him to collaborate on studies of digital oratory, virtual workplace communication, and cross-cultural communication practices. His ongoing projects include work on AI-driven avatars in corporate communication, longitudinal studies of retail communication, and explorations of digital media’s impact on leadership communication. These diverse research pursuits position him as a versatile scholar with both theoretical and applied contributions to communication studies.

Research Skills

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind possesses a versatile set of research skills that enable him to investigate complex communication phenomena across academic, business, and cultural domains. He is highly skilled in rhetorical analysis, qualitative research, and interdisciplinary cultural studies, drawing on methods from communication, media, and social sciences. His expertise extends to digital pedagogy and instructional design, where he employs mixed methods research to assess the impact of communication technologies in classrooms and corporate settings. In recent years, he has expanded his skills to include AI-driven communication research, focusing on avatars, synthetic spokespeople, and the role of emerging digital tools in organizational and educational communication. He has published in top-tier journals indexed in Scopus, IEEE, and academic presses, reflecting his ability to adapt research methodologies to different scholarly audiences. His ability to mentor students in research is another strength, demonstrated by his advisement of peer-reviewed student publications. Furthermore, Dr. Lind’s professional training in Change Management (Cornell University) enhances his applied research skills, particularly in organizational communication and leadership studies. His combination of qualitative analysis, pedagogical design, and applied business communication research uniquely positions him as a scholar who bridges theory, practice, and technological innovation.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind has received recognition for his scholarly contributions, teaching excellence, and leadership in communication studies. At Washington and Lee University, he was awarded tenure in recognition of his research productivity, teaching effectiveness, and service to the academic community. His book, A Charlie Brown Religion, was well received and established him as a significant voice in media and cultural communication studies. He has been invited to speak at international conferences, including the Association for Business Communication annual meetings in the U.S. and Europe, where he has presented on AI in communication, digital pedagogy, and rhetorical practices. His op-eds and essays published in outlets such as The Conversation, Fast Company, and The Hill have further amplified his influence, earning him recognition as a scholar who successfully bridges academia and public discourse. In addition, Dr. Lind’s advisory role in guiding student publications has been a significant contribution to mentoring early-career researchers. His leadership roles, including Academic Director of USC’s MBA.PM program, reflect the trust placed in his academic and administrative expertise. These achievements highlight his ongoing commitment to advancing the field of communication while making lasting contributions to education and society.

Publication Top Notes

• A framework for viral marketing replication and mutationAMS Review – 2020
• Merchandising Snoopy: The case of licensing Peanuts in JapanJournal of General Management – 2018
• A Charlie Brown Religion: Exploring the Spiritual Life and Work of Charles M. SchulzUniversity Press of Mississippi – 2015
• Christmas in the 1960s: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Religion, and the Conventions…Journal of Religion and Popular Culture – 2014

Conclusion

In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stephen Lind stands out as a distinguished scholar, educator, and leader whose contributions to communication studies and business education are both profound and far-reaching. His unique ability to integrate traditional rhetorical scholarship with modern technological innovations, particularly in AI and digital pedagogy, positions him at the forefront of evolving trends in communication research. With an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications, a widely cited book, and a strong presence in international conferences, Dr. Lind has demonstrated excellence in both research and teaching. His engagement with public media outlets further underscores his role as a thought leader who makes academic knowledge accessible to broader audiences. As an academic director and mentor, he continues to shape the professional and scholarly journeys of students, enhancing the next generation of communication professionals. Moving forward, his research on AI-driven communication and digital leadership is poised to make significant contributions to the fields of education, business, and media studies. For his academic achievements, leadership in higher education, and dedication to bridging theory with practice, Dr. Lind exemplifies the qualities of a scholar deserving of recognition and honor in international academic awards.