Northwestern’s MS in Communication program proudly presents the Renaissance Leadership Retreat and Certificate, a five-day immersive experience in the heart of Tuscany.

This year’s program blends transformative leadership workshops with unforgettable cultural excursions, from vineyard tours and culinary delights to breathtaking landscapes. Designed to inspire, connect, and empower, this retreat honors four decades of advancing communication leadership worldwide.

🗓️ April 27 – May 2, 2025
📍 Florence, Italy

Noshir Contractor will be delivering an inaugural address at the ICA India Chapter’s 1st Anniversary Celebration Symposium on April 22, 2025.

The event, hosted by the University Department of Extension & Communication at SNDT Women’s University (Juhu Campus, Mumbai), will also feature inaugural remarks from Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, and Dr. B.P. Sanjay, Chair (working) of the ICA India Chapter and core member of the ICA Regional Hub in Manipal.

📅 Date: April 22, 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30 AM IST
🔗 Join virtually

The SONIC Lab at Northwestern University is excited to announce the publication of our latest paper: “Modeling the ‘who’ and ‘how’ of social influence in the adoption of health practices” , now out in Social Networks!

Co-authored by Neelam Modi, Johan Koskinen, Leslie DeChurch, and Noshir Contractor

Using rich social network and behavioral data from two Kenyan communities, this study finds that mere exposure to adopters isn’t enough. What really matters is who talks about a practice and how they talk about it. Persuasive conversations, especially among close friends and family, significantly increase uptake. Interestingly, the most commonly used messages aren’t always the most effective.

🔗 Read the paper

We’re thrilled to share that Journal of Applied Communication Research (JACR) Volume 53, Issue 1 (2025) is live! This edition explores resilience in the context of media, caregiving, and scholarly collaboration across the globe.

A special shoutout to Noshir Contractor and Leslie DeChurch for their featured Forum article: “We Are a go for launch! working with NASA to forecast and improve team dynamics in space missions”

Their piece highlights groundbreaking work with NASA, forecasting and enhancing team dynamics in space missions—a perfect example of translating communication research into high-stakes, real-world impact.

Read the full issue here!

Noshir Contractor has been selected for the 2025-26 Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University (CASBS) Fellows Class, a lineup of interdisciplinary scholars pushing boundaries in the behavioral and social sciences!  The class is comprised of 33 scholars and practitioners representing 18 U.S. institutions and 12 international institutions and programs. Meet the 2025-26 fellows here: https://bit.ly/4lmkiS2

Noshir Contractor participated in the “Balancing AI across Regulation, Innovation & Safety” panel at the UK – India AI Conference 2025 today. He joined leading experts in two panel discussions, exploring the vital intersections of AI development concerning regulation, innovation, and safety. He started at the “Automation vs. Augmentation: Finding the Right Balance for the Future of Work” panel discussing theintersection of AI with workforce dynamics. He then contributed to “Balancing AI across Regulation, Innovation & Safety” panel.

Professor Contractor, a distinguished researcher from Northwestern University, discussed innovative strategies in digital education that are shaping the future of learning. The session provided valuable insights into the integration of technology in educational settings, highlighting both current achievements and future potentials in digital learning.

Thank you for joining us at the International Conference on “Elevating Academic Standards and Practices in Higher Education”!