PhD
Howard & McLean Parker Distinguished Professor
UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program
Area of Interest
My research interests boil down to a single question: How can we most effectively use communication to change behavior and thereby improve the health of individuals and populations? This question turns out to be highly complex, and demands the careful study of message source, content, design, channel, and context. Answering this question requires the use of several methodologies, including qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups and quantitative methods such as surveys and experiments. In efforts to cumulative knowledge in the field, I have also been a prolific user of meta-analysis, a quantitative research technique for synthesizing entire literatures on a given topic. My goal is to advance and build communication science, as well as to contribute to and shape public policy where it intersects with communication and health.
My work spans several topical areas of the health communication field. In the early days of my career I was focused on HIV/STD prevention, while now I mostly focus on cancer communication and prevention, especially tobacco prevention and control.
Awards and Honors
- Charles Atkin Translational Health Communication Scholar Award, 2025
- ScholarGPS, Highly Ranked Scholar, Journalism, 2024
- ICA Fellow, International Communication Association, 2023
- Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher, Social Sciences, 2018
- American Public Health Association Mayhew Derryberry Research Award, 2017
- Inaugural Abby Prestin Lecture, FDA Center for Tobacco Products, 2016
- NCA Outstanding Health Communication Scholar Award, 2016
- Lewis Donohew Outstanding Health Communication Scholar Award, 2016
- Thomas Reuters Highly Cited Researcher, Social Sciences, 2014
- Faculty Community Service Award, College of Communications and Information Studies, University of Kentucky, 2005
- Faculty Research Excellence Award, College of Communications and Information Studies, University of Kentucky, 2005
- National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program Award, 2004-2009
- Peter Merenda Prize in Statistics and Research Methodology, 2001
News and Stories
E-cigarette warnings lower vaping interest and raise quit intentions
E-cigarette warnings effectively discourage vaping without causing unintended consequences like increased cigarette smoking, according to a meta-analysis of 24 studies by UNC Lineberger's Seth Noar, PhD, and colleagues.
Decoding anti-vaping campaigns
Seth Noar, PhD, and Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, investigate the factors that make vaping prevention ads effective for adolescents and young adults.
