Syed Hussain

Syed Hussain has 11 years of experience in behavior change communication, social influence and persuasion. His focus is on both applied and theoretical aspects of designing, implementing and evaluating public communication campaigns. His qualifications include a doctorate in journalism (2018), a master's in health communication (2013) funded by Fulbright, a post-graduate certification in public health from the University of Manchester U.K. (2006), and a master’s degree in information systems management (2005). During his doctorate, Hussain worked on research projects funded by USAID, National Science Foundation (NSF), and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). He also received the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award (2018) for the teaching, research and practice balance he was able to achieve at Michigan State University.

Before joining MSU, he worked in managerial positions in International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Save the Children for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Health (RMNCAH) projects. In his role as a Behavior Change Communication (BCC) Manager with IRC, he managed the creative design, implementation and evaluation of a $1M communication campaign. He also received an outstanding performance award at Save the Children (2011).

Hussain's research includes both quantitative and qualitative methodologies including experimental studies as well as focus groups, interviews and systematic reviews. He has participated in psychophysiological studies as well as visual communication and linguistic text analysis. He has published scholarship in a book chapter as well as Communication Research Reports, among other journals. He has presented at several conferences including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, International Communication Association, National Communication Association, Computer Human Interaction, Global Digital Health Forum, Kentucky Health Communication and DC Health Communication Conferences. 

 Overall, Hussain is a highly interdisciplinary professional with emphasis on theory-based practice of communication and digital technology projects on behavior change, social influence and persuasion.