Professor
Journalism Studies
Executive Director, Center for the Digital Globe

181-B Gannett Hall
Missouri School of Journalism
Columbia, MO 65211-1200

• Phone: 573-884-9689
• E-mail:

WAYNE WANTA is an internationally known scholar in political communication and media effects, with more than 150 refereed publications and convention papers. He has lectured and delivered research presentations in 29 different countries. His research has been published in Egypt, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Argentina.

Much of Wanta's research examines the agenda-setting function of the news media - how news coverage influences the public's perceptions of issues and newsmakers. Recently, he has worked with a team of researchers examining news coverage of elections in several countries. Wanta has also conducted research in visual communication, sports journalism, Internet use and effects, and negative political advertising.

Wanta also has played an important leadership role in journalism education, having recently served as the president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, just the second MU faculty member to lead the organization since it was formed in 1912. While AEJMC president, Wanta was instrumental in helping stage the first-ever World Journalism Education Congress, in which 30 organizations from around the world agreed upon a series of journalistic principles. Previously with AEJMC, Wanta won the prestigious Krieghbaum Under-40 award for outstanding achievement in research, teaching and service. He also has served on the national journalism accrediting council and was twice elected to the AEJMC Teaching Standards Committee.

He received his Ph.D. in 1989 from the University of Texas. He also holds a master's degree from the University of Texas and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Before entering the academic field, Wanta worked for eight years at several newspapers, including the Dallas Times Herald, Austin American-Statesman, Albuquerque Journal, Charleston (S.C.) Post Courier and Wisconsin State Journal. Besides Missouri, Wanta has taught at the University of Florida, University of Oregon and Southern Illinois University.

Wanta currently serves as the executive director of the Center for the Digital Globe, a multi-disciplinary center with nearly 50 Faculty Fellows from 12 different units on campus.