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Janet Alberts

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Hugh Downs School Of Human Communication
President's Professor and Director of Online Masters Program
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1205
Affiliate Faculty, Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict
President's Professor
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1205
Biography

Janet (Jess) Alberts is President's Professor and director of the online master's in communication in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. She teaches introduction to human communication and has co-authored a textbook on human communication titled "Human Communication in Society." She also teaches courses on conflict and negotiation. Her research focuses on conflict in personal and professional relationships. She is particularly interested in marital disagreements, how couples divide up domestic chores, and how romantic couples conduct their daily interactions. In addition, she explores ways to reduce workplace bullying and to improve legal negotiations and community mediation practices. To do so, she has conducted discourse analytic, metaphoric analytic and quantitative analyses. Because of her experiences studying (and participating in) marital conflict, she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss how couples can fight and complain more effectively. Alberts is also the founder and co-director of the Transformation Project, which focuses on how communication can transform people’s lives.

Education
  • Ph.D. Communication; University of Texas-Austin
  • M.A. English Language and Literature, Abilene Christian University, Texas
  • B.S. English; Abilene Christian University, Texas
Publications
  • J. K. Alberts, J. N. Martin, & T. K. Nakayama. Communication in Society. (2011).
  • J. K. Alberts, T. K. Nakayama, & J. N. Martin. Human Communication in Society. (2010).
  • Jennifer Linde. Blue/Orange. (2010).
  • Alberts, Janet, Trethewey, Angela, Trethewey, Angela, Alberts, Janet. Love, honor and thank. Greater Good (2007).
  • Sarah Tracy, P Lutgen-Sandvik, Janet Alberts. Nightmares, demons and slaves: Exploring the painful metaphors of workplace bullying. Management Communication Quarterly (2006).
  • Janet Alberts, B Heisterkamp, R McPhee. Disputant satisfaction with and perceptions of community mediation. International Journal of Conflict Management (2005).
  • Janet Alberts, C Yoshimura, M Rabby, R Loschiavo. Mapping the topography of couples' daily conversation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships (2005).
  • M Gross, L Guerrero, Janet Alberts. An application of the competence model to organizational conflict. Journal of Applied Communication Research (2004).
  • . . African American Communication and Identities: Essential Readings (2004).
  • Alberts, Janet Kaye, Granato, C. Nagging and complaining. International Encyclopedia of Mariona and Family Relationships (2003).
  • B Heisterkamp, Janet Alberts. Control and desire: An analysis of teasing and joking interactions among gay couples. Communication Studies (2001).
  • . . Handbook of Language and Social Psychology (2001).
  • Miller-Day, M, Alberts, Janet Kaye, Hecht, M L, Trost, M. Adolescent relationships and drug resistance. (2000).
  • A Trethewey, S Tracy, Janet Alberts. Crystallizing frames for work-Life. Communication and the accomplishment of personal and professional life. Electronic Journal of Communication (0).
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 492Honors Directed Study
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 690Reading and Conference
COM 799Dissertation
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 690Reading and Conference
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 312Comm, Conflict & Negotiation
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 792Research
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 312Comm, Conflict & Negotiation
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 799Dissertation
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 691Seminar
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 312Comm, Conflict & Negotiation
COM 499Individualized Instruction
COM 799Dissertation
Summer 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 692Research
Spring 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 382Classroom Apprenticeship
COM 499Individualized Instruction
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Fall 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 100Intro to Human Communication
COM 404Research Apprenticeship
COM 792Research
COM 799Dissertation
Summer 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 690Reading and Conference
COM 799Dissertation
Presentations

COM 100:  Introduction to Human Communication

COM 312:  Communication, Conflict and Negotiation

COM 691:  Conflict and Negotiation

COM 598:  Communication and Conflict Transformation

Honors / Awards

President's Professor

Advisor, Kendra Knight, Gerald R. Miller Dissertation Award, for her dissertation entitled “The Influence of Response Threshold and Perceptions of Domestic Labor Conflict on Labor  Allocation and Conflict Patterns in Marital Dyads.  National Communication Association

 

Top Three Paper in Interpersonal Communication, International Communication Association, Knight, K. & Alberts J. K. Response thresholds predict demand-withdraw communication in division of labor conflict.

 

Top Paper in Interpersonal Communication, Central States Communication Association, Riforgiate, S., Alberts, J. K., & Mongeau, P.  Testing threshold levels: Conflict, equity, and satisfaction in dividing domestic labor. 

ASU Professor of the Year, Special Recognition, Associated Parents Professorship

Article of the Year Award, Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association. For Nightmares, Demons and Slaves: Exploring the painful metaphors of workplace bullying. Management Communication Quarterly, 20(2),148─185. (S.J. Tracy, P. Lutgen-Sandvik, J.K. Alberts)

Outstanding Achievement & Contributions Award, Commission on the Status of Women

Recipient of the Faculty Last Lecture Series Award. Spring 1999

Editorships
  • Hinshaw, A., & Alberts, J. Doing the right thing: An empirical study of attorney negotiation ethics. Conference on Empirical Legal Studies. Los Angeles, CA (Nov 2009).
  • Hinshaw, A., & Alberts, J. Doing the right thing: A study of attorney negotiation ethics. Works in Progress Conference, American Bar Association (Oct 2008).
  • Riforgiate, S., & Alberts, J. , Denver, CO. Roommate relationship and the division of domestic labor. Western States Communication Conference (Feb 2008).
  • Alberts, Janet, Nakayama, T, Martin, J. Teaching the introductory course: Human communication in society. National Communication Association Convention, San Antonio, Texas (Nov 2006).
  • Alberts, Janet, Trethewey, A, Alberts, Janet. Social networks and economies of gratitude: (Re)theorizing the division of domestic labor. National Communication Association Convention, San Antonio, Texas (Nov 2006).
  • Tracy, S, Alberts, Janet, Trethewey, A. Transforming work-life conflict: Interpersonal and organizational perspective on paid (publid) and unpaid (domestic) labor. National Communication Association Convention, San Antonio, Texas (Nov 2006).
  • Tracy, S, Alberts, Janet. Why define myself as a low-status organizational victim: The challenges of telling stories about workplace bullying. International Conference on Workplace Bullying, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland (Jun 2006).
  • Alberts, Janet, Tracy, S, Trethewey, A. Building Community and Confidence through Collaboration Roundtable presentation, part of a Double-session panel: From Idea to Article: A Workshop to Facilitate Academic Success. Annual convention of the Western States Communication Association, Palm Springs, CA (Feb 2006).
  • Trethewey, A, Tracy, S, Alberts, Janet, Riforgiate, S. Theorizing future directions on work-life transition/balance research: Crystallizing frames for work-life. Annual convention of the Western States Communication Association, Palm Springs, CA (Feb 2006).
  • Tracy, S, Alberts, Janet, Sandvik, with. Why define myself as a low-status organizational victim: The challenges of telling stories about workplace bullying. The National Communication Association Convention, Boston, MA (Nov 2005).
  • Alberts, Janet, Lutgen-Sandvik, P, Tracy, S. Bullying in the Workplace: A case of escalated incivility. Organizational Communication Division. The International Communication Association Conv (May 2005).
  • Lutgen-Sandvik, P, Tracy, S, Alberts, Janet. Burned by bullying in the American workplaces: A first time study of U. S. prevalence and delineation of bullying "degree.". Western States Communication Convention, San Francisco, CA (Feb 2005).
  • Tracy, S, Lutgen-Sandvik, P, Alberts, Janet. Narratives of Pain: Stories of Workplace Bullying. National Communication Association Annual Meeting, Chicago (Nov 2004).
  • Alberts, Janet. Literary Depictions of Life in the Academy: Death in a Tenured Posit. National Communication Association Annual Meeting, Chicago (Nov 2004).
  • Alberts, Janet, Heisterkamp, B, McPhee, R. Disputant satisfaction with and perceptions of community mediation. National Communication Association, Chicago (Nov 2004).
  • Tracy, S, Lutgen-Sandvik, P, Alberts, Janet. Investigating bullying in the United States: A communicative approach.*. International Conference on Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace, Bergen, Norway (Jun 2004).
  • Alberts, Janet, Allen, B. Using a CD-Rom "Textbook" to Teach Public Speaking. Western States Association Convention, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Mar 2002).
  • Alberts, Janet, Rabby, M, Granato, C, Loschiavo, R. Mapping the topography of couples talk: An analysis of couples' daily interactions*. Western States Communication Association Convention, Longbeach, CA (Mar 2002).
  • Alberts, Janet. Overcoming the Chilly Climate for Women: Best Practices in Higher Education. National Communication Association, Seattle, WA (Nov 2001).
  • Yoshimura, C, Alberts, Janet. I wonder what's on TV tonight: An Exploration of Maintenance in the Context of Television Watching. Western States Association Convention, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Feb 2001).
  • Alberts, Janet. An overview of the couples' talk project. Western States Communication Association Conference, Sacramento, CA (Feb 2000).
  • Alberts, Janet. Mentoring Faculty with Unique Needs. Administrator's Exchange
  • Alberts, Janet. Power, Passion and Prudence at Work. University Work-life Staff Organization
  • Alberts, Janet. Women, Femininity & Success. Coach's Connection
  • Riforgiate, Sarah, Alberts, Janet. The Gendered Nature of Domestic Labor. Interpersonal Communication Panel
  • Sandvik, Pam, Alberts, Janet, Tracy, Sarah. The Communicative Nature of Workplace Bullying and Responses to Workplace Bullying. Organizational Communication Panel
  • Alberts, Janet. Finding Your Passion. Third Annual Family Self-Sufficiency Participant Conference
  • Alberts, Janet. Marital Satisfaction and Everyday Interaction. Journeys of the Mind Series
  • Alberts, Janet. Effective Public Speaking. Arizona Botanical Gardens' Docent Program
  • Alberts, Janet. Managing Difficult Colleagues. Phoenix Zoo
  • Alberts, Janet. Why Women Don't Ask. Faculty Women's Association
  • Alberts, Janet. Effective Relationship Communication. Kerr Cultural Center
  • Alberts, Janet. Two studies of community mediation. Association of Conflict Resolution Professional National Convention
  • Tracy, Sarah, Alberts, Janet, Rivera, Kendra. How to Bust the Office Bully. Spotlight Panel on Workplace Bullying
Service
  • Louisiana State University, External Reviewer (2008 - Present)
  • Argosy International Administrative Conference, Presenter - Interpersonal Effectiveness (2007 - Present)
  • Institute for Social Science Research, Associate Director for Research Development (2007 - Present)
  • Journal of Family Communication, Reviewer (2007 - Present)
  • Center for Social Dynamics & Complexity, Affiliate (2006 - Present)
  • Western Journal of Communication, Reviewer (2006 - Present)
  • Project for Wellness & Work-Life, Associate (2005 - Present)
  • Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, Reviewer (2004 - Present)
  • Lincoln Ethics Center, Affiliate (2004 - Present)
  • National Conflict Resolution Center Partnership, Coordinator (2010 - 2012)
  • Journal of Family Communication, Member, Editorial Board (2009 - 2012)
  • Conflict Transformation Project, Co-Director (2009 - 2012)
  • Journal of Family Communication, Editorial Board Member (2008 - 2011)
  • Reviewer for JPSR, JFC, and WJC, among others., Reviewer (2010 - 2010)
  • Graduate Curriculum Committee, Member (2009 - 2010)
  • Undergraduate Committee, Member (2008 - 2010)
  • Institute For Social Science Research, Director (2009 - 2010)
  • PRONTO Conference, University of California, San Diego., Keynote Address (2008 - 2009)
  • BioMed Central - Public Health Research, Reviewer (2009)
  • Interpersonal Communication Division, National Communication Association, Chair (2008 - 2008)
  • Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution., Presenter, with Sarah Tracy (2008 - 2008)
  • Faculty Women's Association, Presenter - Women Don't Ask - But They Should! (2006 - 2007)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Personnel Committee, Chair (2005 - 2007)
  • Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, Executive Board Member (2003 - 2007)
  • Communication Yearbook, Reviewer (2007)
  • Intepersonal Division of the National Communication Association, Chair-Elect and Program Planner (2006 - 2007)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Interim MA Director (2007 - 2007)
  • Planning Committee for Hugh Downs Award for Communication Excellence Dinner, Member (2006 - 2007)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, COM 230 Course Coordinator (2005 - 2006)
  • Maricopa Alternative Dispute Resolution Association, Board Member (2004 - 2006)
  • Faculty Mentor Program, Mentor (2004 - 2005)
  • Transformative Mediation Training/Workshop, Sponsor & Planner (2004 - 2005)
  • Maricopa High School Mediation Workshop, Workshop Planner (2005 - 2005)
  • Conflict Transformation in Arizona, State-wide conference, Sponsor/Planner (2004 - 2004)
  • Advance Mediation Workshop, Alliance for Conflict Resolution, Cornell University, Co-sponsor/Planner (2003 - 2004)
  • Faculty Women's Association Executive Board, Member (1998 - 2004)
  • Executive Council, Member (1995 - 2004)
  • National Communication Association, Panel Moderator (2004 - 2004)
  • Phoenix Zoo, Workshop Leader, Managing Difficult Colleagues (twice) (2004 - 2004)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, School Director (1995 - 2004)
  • Communication Monographs, Reviewer (2004 - 2004)
  • Comedy for a Cause Scholarship Fundraiser, Performer (2004 - 2004)
  • The Kerr Cultural Center, Speaker, Effective Relationship Communication (2004 - 2004)
  • Loyola Marymount University, Invited Lecturer (2001 - 2003)
  • Chair's and Director's Steering Committee, Chair (1999 - 2001)
  • Faculty Women's Association, President (1999 - 2001)
  • University Work Life Task Force, Member (2000 - 2000)
  • Interpersonal & Small Groups Division, National Communication Association, Awards Committee member (1999 - 2000)
  • Conflict Transformation Project, Co-Director (Present)
  • Jeanne L. Herberger Graduate Fellowship, Fund raiser (Present)
  • Jeanne L. Herberger Professor Endowment, Fund raiser (Present)
  • New Ideas for Communication Study, Arizona Communication Association, Respondent (Present)
  • Ziegler Communication Fund, Fund raiser (Present)
Expertise Areas
Conflict Transformation
Relational Communication
Interpersonal Communication