ABOUT

Jim Dearing is Brandt Endowed Professor and former Chairperson of the Department of Communication. His research focuses on the diffusion of innovations, including the adoption and implementation of new evidence-based practices, programs, technologies and policies by health care and public health professionals.

Dr. Dearing received his Ph.D. in Communication Theory and Research from the University of Southern California. Dr. Dearing has held several positions, including Senior Scientist with Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest nongovernmental nonprofit integrated healthcare system.

RESEARCH

Dr. Dearing’s research concerns the psychological and sociological basis of the diffusion process. He was principal investigator for a U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research. He has led research grants from the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Healthcare Quality & Research, and private foundations including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Dearing was one of two scientific advisors to the coordinating committee of the NIH Science of Dissemination and Implementation Research National Conference.