Sarah Aghazadeh Assistant Professor SOC | Public Communication
- Degrees
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
M.A., San José State University
B.S., San José State University - Favorite Spot on Campus
- Media Innovation Lab
- Bio
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Sarah A. Aghazadeh (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Advocacy and Social Impact Communication at American University’s School of Communication. Broadly, her research investigates theory and application of advocacy, activism, and community building. Her work often addresses taboo and stigmatized social issues and discourses by utilizing qualitative, rhetorical, and/or community-engaged methods. She received the inaugural L’Etang-Pieczka Award for outstanding research from Public Relations Inquiry (2024). She has taught a variety of communication, public relations, news writing, and health communication courses during her years as an instructor. She joined American University in 2025, after serving as an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Auburn University.
Selected Publications
Aghazadeh, S.A. (2024). Don’t say “the D word”: Exploring death taboo and biopower in pregnancy loss awareness advocacy. Public Relations Inquiry, 13(2), 235-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147X241234066
Aghazadeh, S.A. (2024). Exploring leisure and municipal government public relations for community: A case example of parks and recreation. Public Relations Review, 50(1), Article 102410.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2023.102410
Aghazadeh, S.A., Capizzo, L., & Tindall, N.T.J. (2024). Wrangling in the marketplace or bartering in the bazaar? Adapting metaphors for public relations’ societal role. Journal of Public Relations Research, 36(2), 129-151. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2023.2285067
Aghazadeh, S.A., & Aldoory, L. (2023). Community-based participatory research for public relations: Realizing potential for researcher-participant relationships. Public Relations Review, 49(1), Article 102290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2023.102290
Aghazadeh, S.A. (2022). Advocacy and marginality: Considering legitimacy, authenticity, and culture to extend fully functioning society theory. Journal of Public Relations Research, 34(6), 257-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2022.2118749
- For the Media
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Teaching
Fall 2025
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COMM-100 Understanding Media
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COMM-209 Communication and Society
Spring 2026
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COMM-100 Understanding Media
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COMM-209 Communication and Society
Fall 2026
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COMM-100 The History of Media
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COMM-209 Communication and Society