Muhammad Ittefaq is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 2022 and his Master’s degree in Media and Communication Science from Ilmenau University of Technology in Germany in 2018.

Ittefaq’s research focuses on global health communication, science communication, and environmental communication including topics such as misinformation, vaccine communication, public relations, and the use of new media technologies among various factions of society around the world. He has published over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles in communication and health-related journals, including Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism, Journalism Practice, International Journal of Communication, Journal of Science Communication, Journal of Health Communication, Media International Australia, Journal of Media Ethics, Vaccine, Vaccines, Digital Health, Health, Risk & Society, Psychology & Health, Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, Local Environment, Third World Quarterly, Global Policy, Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, and Death Studies, among others.

In addition, Ittefaq has presented over 20 papers at national and international conferences, including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), International Environmental Communication Association (IECA), National Communication Association (NCA), International Communication Association (ICA), World Communication Association (WCA), International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), and D.C. Health Communication (DCHC).

Ittefaq has professional experience in both journalism and strategic communication. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a reporter for Daily Times and The Educationist in Pakistan, and his blogs have been published by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy. Additionally, he has worked as an Assistant Public Relations Officer in Pakistan. He has also taught several courses as an Instructor of Record and Teaching Assistant at the University of Kansas, University of Maine, and the University of the Punjab in Pakistan. The courses he has taught include media writing, business writing, public speaking, media and society, and introduction to strategic communication.

Ittefaq has received various research awards and fellowships in recognition of his academic excellence and research potential, particularly during his time at the University of Kansas. He was the recipient of the Carolyn Stroman Award from AEJMC’s MAC division, which is presented to graduate students presenting research for the first time in the MAC Division. In addition, he was awarded the Society of Professional Journalists Dori Maynard Diversity Fellowship. Furthermore, he has been the recipient of prestigious scholarships and awards, including the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship).