Elvis Nshom, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Communication (Peace and Conflict Studies)

About Dr. Nshom

I dream of a society where people with different social identities or group belongings can coexist peacefully irrespective of their differences. I spent my formative years in Cameroon, growing up in a time and place where there were deep religious, political, social, and linguistic divides. I became passionate about understanding the role these differences play in people’s lives and how they communicate with each other. As a result, I enjoy investigating why certain minority groups are prejudiced or marginalized in society. This is important because having this understanding has implications for changing prejudice towards marginalized groups in society. Understanding conflict and prejudice is central to the discipline of Communication because communication occurs within the context of intergroup relations and the way we feel about people who are different from us potentially impacts how we communicate with them.

In addition, my research focuses on cultural adjustment and the psychological and socio-cultural adaptation of immigrants into their host society. Understanding the factors that impede or facilitate the adaptation of immigrants has implications for the successful integration of immigrants into their host society or new cultural environment. I enjoy investigating the ways in which individuals adjust to and experience a new cultural environment.

Clearly, my research interests are motivated by my experiences living in different parts of the world such as Europe, Africa, USA, and Russia as an immigrant. The two most common challenges immigrants face in their host societies are host acceptance (prejudice) and successful integration into the larger society.

I consider myself a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) intercultural communication scholar with a specific focus on conflict and intergroup relations. The overall goal of my research is to improve relations between majority and minority groups in society. Majority and minority relations remain one of the most important social concerns in most societies.  My previous work has led to the development of training packages, initiatives and campaigns that aim at improving relations between majority and minority groups in Finland and Cameroon.

I have published journal articles in renowned peered-reviewed journals in my field such as Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and International Journal of Conflict Management. I have also written peered-reviewed chapters in books published by renowned publishers. I value collaborative research and writing because collaboration enhances ideas and improves creativity.

Thank you for stopping by my page. I’m excited about the possibility of working with you!

Education

Post Graduate Diploma (2021)
Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
Major: Teacher Education

Doctorate (2017)
Communication, University of Jyväskylä
Major – Intercultural Communication

MA (2012)
Sociology, University of Eastern Finland
Major: Cultural Diversity

BA (2009)
University of Buea, Cameroon, December 2009
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication

Teaching

• COMM 100 Introduction to Communication

  Course Catalog Description
  Introduction to fundamental concepts of communication with emphasis on the centrality of communication across a wide variety of contexts and its relevance in society. Focuses on the structures and processes of communication, including how messages are produced and received in interpersonal and intercultural relations, institutional life, and the world of mediated culture and politics.

• COMM 320 Conflict and Communication

  Course Catalog Description
  Conflicts are situations in which individuals and groups with differing assumptions about reality (both facts and values), clash with one another about right and wrong. Discusses the nature of communication in such situations, the strengths and weaknesses of the various types of discourse employed in dealing with them, and visions for transcending conflicts. Three general types of responses to conflict will be explored: rhetorical attempts to persuade (rhetorical eloquence), hostile resistance (lost eloquence), and transcendence (transcendent eloquence). Recommended preparation: Junior or Senior status or consent of instructor. (CCSC)

• COMM 437 Interpersonal Communication

  Course Catalog Description
  Introduction to the theory and research focused on interpersonal communication. Emphasis is on experientially acquired insights into the initiation and maintenance of interpersonal relationships across a wide range of socialization institutions (e.g., family, peer group, and workplace). (CCSC)

• COMM 425 Communication and Mediation

  Course Catalog Description
  Examines the conceptualization of conflict and of mediation as an area of teaching, training and research in communication. Designed to guide students through a specific academic view of conflict and its relationship to communication as a point of departure. Examines dispute mediation as one way to approach conflict. Case studies as well as dispute mediation simulations will help in understanding the powers and limitations of the process. Demystifies conflict and dispute mediation and shows how to use “the tools” of dispute mediation ethically. (CCSC) Recommended Preparation: Recommended Preparation: COMM320. Junior or Senior status is recommended.

• COMM 330 Intercultural Communication

  Course Catalog Description
  Introduction to traditional and critical theories, concepts, and principles regarding communication between and about people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Takes a culture-general approach to examining the relationships among culture, communication, context (social, historical, political), and power. Emphasizes domestic issues with attention given to how they impact, and are impacted by, international communities. (CCSC)

For information about courses taught before joining CSUSM, please see full CV.

PUBLICATIONS

View publication list.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

I’m constantly reviewing and accepting applications from students who want to work with me as research assistants. If you are interested in working with me as a research assistant, please, send me an email with your CV or resume. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Current Research Assistant

• Elvis Williams: Elvis is a 4^th year political science major at CSUSM. He is currently working on a project that seeks to understand attitudes to refugees in the US.