Christopher Dobmeier

Dr. Christopher M. Dobmeier is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Internships in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. His research explores how strategic communication can spark positive change—whether that’s encouraging healthy behaviors, promoting sustainability, or fostering civic engagement. He focuses more specifically on strategic storytelling, communication campaigns, persuasive message design, and the role of emerging media and technologies in shaping how people think, feel, and act. A key part of his work examines how various persuasive forces in the contemporary media landscape—such as social media influencers and deepfakes—can influence individuals' norms and behaviors.

Dr. Dobmeier's work has led to collaborations with scholars across disciplines—including artificial intelligence and engineering (Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea)—as well as with industry experts in areas such as consumer data analytics (Bloomberg Second Measure), entertainment (executive producers of ABC’s The Conners; Population Media Center), and law and prison education (the Juvenile Justice Innovation and Impact Network). His research has been published in top communication journals such as the Journal of Communication, Communication Theory, and Health Communication, and has received top paper and panel awards from the National Communication Association.