Elisabeth Bigsby studies persuasive health and environmental messages, such as anti-smoking campaigns, with a particular interest in how message features influence how people perceive and process those messages. Dr. Bigsby's overall goal is to understand why messages succeed or fail, and thus contribute to best practices in designing persuasive messages.

Prior to UIUC, Dr. Bigsby held positions at Northeastern University in Boston and the Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.  Before completing her graduate studies, Dr. Bigsby spent three years working in the not-for-profit sector, including one year as an AmeriCorps volunteer. 

Health Communication
Persuasion
Message Effects
Information Acquisition

CMN 345: Visual Media Effects
CMN 421: Persuasion Theory & Research
CMN 529: Message Design & Effects

CMN 529: Meta-Analysis in Communication
CMN 595: eHealth (HCOM)

Ph.D., Communication, University of Georgia
M.A., Health Communication, Michigan State University
B.A., Communication, Michigan State University

3001 Lincoln Hall, 702 South Wright Street Urbana, IL 61801

217-244-4017

Illinois Foundations Fellow, Fall 2020