Meet the Experts

The expertise of Baylor faculty and representatives who are actively shaping and advancing their disciplines is sought after by their peers and media as well as by University students in academic settings. In this ongoing series, here are four of the many University representatives called on for insight and understanding on today’s topics by any number of media outlets—from The New York Times and The Washington Post to Christianity Today, CNN and NPR.

Bereavement Practices

CANDI CANN, associate professor in the Honors College’s Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, is called upon for her expertise in death, funerals and bereavement practices across different cultures. In 2016, the Funeral Services Academy consulted with her and drew upon her research to understand how to better serve the nation’s growing Hispanic community and accommodate bereavement customs. Cann, who writes a regular column for the Huffington Post, has appeared as a guest on NPR and CSPAN. 

Consumer Behavior and Media

TYRHA LINDSEY-WARREN, clinical assistant professor of marketing in the Hankamer School of Business, is a consumer behavior and communications scholar. Her recent research found that African-American consumers are often not early adopters on opening weekends of films, and movie distributors can find success in minority-led films after waiting for word-of-mouth to spread. She serves as managing director of L.A.I. Communications and is a frequent speaker for outlets including Americans for the Arts, Public Relations Society of America, The Junior League, and Black Data Processing Associates. 

Film, Media and Society

JIM KENDRICK, BA ’96, MA ’99, associate professor of film and digital media in the College of Arts and

Sciences, is busy each October as one of the nation’s foremost experts on horror in films. Media outlets often mine his expertise on the popular genre to share insights with readers and viewers. Kendrick also has studied the psychology of film, the motivations behind viewers’ desires to be scared at the movies, violence on screen and more. His work has appeared in Consumer Affairs, Film Criticism and local newspapers and television stations across the nation.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

KEVIN DOUGHERTY, associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, studies churches across the nation to research topics such as racial diversity in congregations, congregational growth and decline, the impact of religion on community involvement, politics, work and more. His study on racial attitudes among congregants at both multiracial and homogenous congregations has received widespread attention. The Chronicle of Higher Education, CNN, NPR, USA Today, Christianity Today and the Huffington Post are among the outlets that have featured his published research.

To view a list of some of the Baylor professors and representatives called upon for acumen and expertise when news breaks, visit the University’s Expert Directory at baylor.edu/mediacommunications.