Mary Banwart

Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

Rhetoric & Political Communication

Dr.Banwart's primary research focuses on political campaign communication and the influence of gender in political campaigns, with specific attention directed toward political advertising, campaign web sites, and mixed-gender debates. She has authored book chapters and journal articles examining the strategic use of advertising in political campaigns, gendered uses of communication on campaign web sites, the gender gap, and news coverage in mixed-gender races. She co-authored the book, Gender and Political Candidate Communication: VideoStyle, WebStyle, and NewsStyle. Dr. Banwart was a co-recipient of the 2003 Central States Communication Association Federation Prize for research analyzing gender in U.S. Senate, House, and gubernatorial mixed-gender debates, and a co-recipient of the 2000 Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics. Dr. Banwart coordinates the University's interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Minor, and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in political communication as well as leadership and communication.



Ongoing Research

    •    Attitudes toward women running for political office

    •    Communication strategies of candidates in mixed-gender races

    •    Reactions to political campaign advertisements

    •    Development of the Political Interpersonal Communication Index

    •    Debatestyles of candidates in mixed-gender political debates

    •    Webstyles of candidates in mixed-gender political races