About Me, Dr. Carly Densmore

I am an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Idaho, where I specialize in Interpersonal, Family, and Instructional Communication. I earned my Ph.D. from Ohio University (Go Bobcats!) in 2024, and hold an M.A. in Interpersonal Communication and a B.A.A. in Communication, both from Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!).

My academic career has been deeply rooted in both teaching and research. At the University of Idaho, I currently teach courses such as Family Communication, Communication Theory, and Interpersonal Communication. Across institutions and instructional formats—face-to-face, online, and hybrid—I’ve developed a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centered teaching. I aim to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and practical application in the classroom, helping students connect communication theory to everyday experiences and professional practice.

My research bridges interpersonal, instructional, and family communication, with a focus on how people navigate identity, belonging, grief, and learning across personal and professional contexts. I am particularly interested in memorable messages—those impactful communications that shape self-perception, relationships, and behavior. My scholarly work has appeared in journals such as the Ohio Communication Journal, Journal of Communication Pedagogy, Basic Communication Course Annual, and the Atlantic Journal of Communication. I’ve contributed multiple book chapters on topics ranging from public speaking and instructional communication to group dynamics and learning and development. My research also extends into pedagogical contexts, exploring how graduate teaching assistants experience grief, construct their teaching identities, and manage the emotional labor of instruction. In recognition of this work, I have received Top Paper honors at both the National and Eastern Communication Association conferences. Through my research, I aim to create practical and theoretical insights that inform how communication can foster resilience, inclusion, and growth in educational and organizational spaces.