Public relations professor co-authors textbook about diversity in journalism

Associate professor Maria Len-Rios
published textbook on communicating
about diversity

Maria Len-Ríos (MA '08), associate professor of advertising and public relations at Grady College, has just published an introductory textbook, “Cross-Cultural Journalism: Communicating Strategically About Diversity.”

The book aims to teach college students how to navigate a continually changing world and write professionally and successfully about diversity and culture. Len-Ríos edited the book with Earnest Perry, associate professor at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Len-Ríos and Perry reached out to numerous educators and practitioners in journalism and public relations to bring together a comprehensive collection of exercises and real-world examples. The book provides instruction about applying journalism and strategic communication strategies that take culture into account.

“We chose to edit the book so that we could bring as much valuable information together as possible,” said Len-Ríos. “We reached out to the most knowledgeable, practiced people we knew so as to provide students and professionals expert insights and recommendations, from start to finish.”

The book showcases some of Grady’s best talent, as well. In addition to the chapters authored by Len-Ríos, Patricia Thomas, Knight Chair in Health and Medical Journalism, authored a chapter, and graphics student Kara Wexler designed the cover.

Len-Ríos joined Grady in the fall of 2014 after serving 10 years as a faculty member at the Missouri School of Journalism on the strategic communication faculty. Prior to Missouri, she served at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas and at Georgia Southern University. Len-Ríos holds a doctorate in journalism from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts in journalism from Grady College.

Perry is the lead instructor of the Missouri School of Journalism’s cross-cultural course and holds a Master of Arts and a doctorate in journalism from the University of Missouri.

For more details about the book, please visit the publisher’s website.

Author: Morgan Beavers, marymorganbeavers@uga.edu

Contact: Maria Len-Ríos, lenriosm@uga.edu,