July 14, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

A group of forward-thinking Roadrunners presented their innovative research at the 117th Annual Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Convention.

Held in April, the Pittsburgh convention was spearheaded by the ECA – the oldest professional communication association in the United States.

The team of Ramapo College of New Jersey students and alumni was mentored by Associate Professor of Communications Arts Dr. Satarupa Dasgupta.

The prestigious conference showcased the work of the following Roadrunners:

• Global Communication and Media Major Miranda Frisbee ’26, of Campbell Hall, NY, who presented on the importance of utilizing relevant pedagogical strategies for an inclusive classroom for undergraduate neurodiverse students;
• Global Communication and Media Majors Melissa Glasson ’24, of Haskell, NJ, and Sara Hosbach ’24, of Freehold, NJ, who co-authored a paper with Dasgupta on critical communication pedagogy-based strategies for neurodiverse students, which Dasgupta presented;
• Communication Arts Major Maryellen Kane ’27, of West Caldwell, NJ, who presented on the importance of revising high school curricular framework for civic education to enhance students’ civic engagement;
• Psychology Major Rachel Kobelski ’26, of Jersey City, NJ, whose paper on the effect of manosphere engagement on the construction of incel online communities and ideology was presented by Dasgupta;
• Communication Arts Major Emily Melvin ’23, of West Deptford, NJ, who presented a narrative review of scope and patterns of technologically mediated intimate partner violence, a paper she co-authored with Dasgupta; and
• Contemporary Arts Major Brianna Rached ’26, of Hopatcong, NJ, whose paper on brand perception in fashion advertising was accepted to the conference.

Communication Arts Major Maryellen Kane ‘27 presented her research at the 117th Annual ECA Convention.

The paper co-authored by Melvin and Dasgupta – entitled Patterns of Control: A Narrative Review Exploring Nature and Scope of Technologically Mediated Intimate Partner Violence Among Generation Z Individuals – earned the pair the top paper award in the Applied Communication division.

Dasgupta was also recognized with two additional honors. She received the top paper award in the Theory and Methodology division for her paper entitled Transnational Feminism in Practice: Rethinking Intimate Partner Violence Response and Mitigation Services across Borders.

She also earned the James W. Chesebro Marginalized Community Scholarship Award for her work on intimate partner violence mitigation among immigrant women. “The award honors commitment to research and diversity by supporting scholars who are engaged in scholarship that advances and supports marginalized communities,” Dasgupta explained.

Although she is proud of her own work, the high point of the experience for Dasgupta was witnessing the impact of the Roadrunners she encouraged and mentored.

“The true highlight of the conference for me was seeing my amazing Ramapo College of New Jersey students present their work and contribute their insights to research and real life conversations,” she said. “Their work represents the critical scholarship that makes spaces like this conference so vital.”

For more on how Dasgupta collaborates with her students and challenges them to succeed, read Professor Empowers Scholars to Turn Curiosity into Research.