James Phillips, Communication, M.A.I.S.

Sitting and smiling at the camera in a portrait

Commencement was only a few weeks ago, but James Phillips has had his eyes' set on the skies for a while now. James is building on his new Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Communication and Public Policy to expand his research with a focus on space. In particular, he will be expanding his master's level research on a global scale and exploring intercultural space program relations as part of the University of Oregon's Communication and Media Studies doctoral program. There were many deciding factors for James in pursuing a Ph.D., “but it was largely rooted in my love of teaching that emerged as a result of my time as a graduate student at Oregon State. Continuing my graduate education enables me to continue working with the up-and-coming generations while performing research in a field I love, which strikes me as a rather nice career!”


His decision isn't as far out as one might think if you read his master's thesis: "To Boldly Go: Understanding the Frontier's Role in Shaping Public Perceptions of NASA and Space Exploration.” Shortened to SPACE, James looks at communication strategies between NASA and the public, agencies’ efforts to curb misinformation, and current space communication narratives.
During his time as a grad student, James was a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) for the communication department. He encourages those seeking a master’s degree to secure an assistantship. “As a graduate employee, a teaching assistant, or a research assistant, your financial stability is further bolstered, and you are often given opportunities to work alongside individuals you would not otherwise get to spend time with, which gives you invaluable skills for use inside and outside the classroom.” 


James remarked on the common notion within graduate school of comparing yourself to others. “You might hear a colleague discussing their research or a paper they’re working on or a conference they’re going to…[For me,] the key to overcoming this was mentally reframing progress…Success in grad school lies in strong collaboration with those around you rather than treating them as competitors.”