Meenakshi Gigi Durham is a distinguished scholar, professor and writer. Durham was born in Mangalore, India but moved to the United States and then Canada at a young age. She is employed at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Durham is currently a joint Professor of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies as well as the Dean for Outreach and Engagement for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences She was previously a Faculty Fellow in the Office of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development. She was also the Associate Faculty, Director of the Obermann Center of Advanced Studies, and she is a member of the board of directors for the Project of Rhetoric of Inquiry.
Durham sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Communication, Feminist Media Studies, Critical Studies in Media Communication, Communication, Culture & Critique and Sexualization, Media, and Society. From 2007-2016, she was executive editor of the Journal of Communication Inquiry.
Doctorate Degree
University of Florida. Doctor of Philosophy, Mass Communication/Media Studies 1985-1990
Current University
Associate Dean for Outreach & Engagement and Director of Diversity, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Iowa
Professor and Collegiate Scholar of Journalism and Mass Communications and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa
Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at University of Iowa
Undergraduate Degree
University of West Florida. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communication Arts, Magna cum laude. 1982 – 1984
Women's Christian College. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Chemistry, with Math and Physics minors, First Class. 1977 – 1980
Master's degree
Louisiana State University. Master of Journalism, Journalism and Mass Communication. 1984 – 1985 Doctorate Degree
University of Florida. Doctor of Philosophy, Mass Communication/Media Studies 1985-1990
Current University
Associate Dean for Outreach & Engagement and Director of Diversity, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Iowa
Professor and Collegiate Scholar of Journalism and Mass Communications and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa
Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at University of Iowa
Durham's work has caught attention and she has been recognized publicly multiple times. She has appeared on The Dr. Phil Show, Irish National Television, BBC, Iowa Public Radio and Illinois Public Radio. Durham was featured in the popular documentary, “Miss Representation”, which was aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Faculty Research Award (1999-2000)
College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin
Academic Excellence Award in Instructional Technology (2000)
College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Faculty Member (2003)
Society for Proessional Journalists Chapter Award
School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa
Career Development Award (2006)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa
Precense in the 2011 Best American Essays Anthology (2010)
Recognition for her essay “Grieving”
Harvard Review
Obermann Scholar (2011 & 2006)
Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, University of Iowa
Collegiate Scholar Award (2012)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa
Faculty Administrative Fellowship (2013)
Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Nominee of Distinguished Achievement Award (2014)
Celebration of Women, University of Iowa
International Communication Association’s Teresa Award (2014)
Feminist Scholarship Division
International Communication Associations
College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin
Honors Thesis Mentor Award (2015)
University of Iowa Honors Program
President and Provost Teaching Excellence Award (2017)
Highest award for teaching, University of Iowa
