Margaret Murray, PhD

Teaching Areas:
Communication, Public RelationsResearch Areas:
Communications, Cultural Studies / HistoryBiography and Education
I am a Michigander who has returned home and am thrilled to be at UM-Dearborn. Before joining UM, I was a consultant at a narrative strategy firm in Seattle and a communications strategist for the University of Washington.
I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder in Organizational Communication and Cultural Studies. Now I administer the Public Relations program within LCA.
My current research focuses on parenting norms in the U.S.
Teaching Interests
Public Relations, Public Speaking
Additional Research Interests
Public relations, social construction of technology, AI in the classroom, parenting
Selected Publications
Murray, M. A., 鈥淐alm in the storm: Emily Oster鈥檚 parenting newsletter during COVID-19,鈥 Women鈥檚 Studies in Communication, 2022.
Bauer, J., Murray, M. A., and Ngondo, P. S. "Who's missing out? The impact of digital networking behavior and social identity on PR job search outcomes," Public Relations Review, 2023
Murray, M. A. & Desrayaud, N. 鈥淔emale fashion as leisure and labor on Reddit,鈥 Journal of Communication Inquiry, vol. 45, no. 4, 2020, pp. 301-318.
Murray, M. A., 鈥淲hite, male, and bartending in Detroit: Masculinity work in a hipster scene,鈥 Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, vol. 49, no. 4, 2020, pp. 456-480.
Popular Press
Stateside with April Baer. Michigan Public. 2025, July 23.
Murray, M. A. 鈥淕uest commentary: Smartphones don鈥檛 belong in schools.鈥 Bridge Michigan, 2025, July 14.
Murray, M. A. 鈥淪chool smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance.鈥 The Conversation, 2025, July 10.
Awards and Recognition
Vansant-Spoiden Presentation Award (LCA department) - 2023
Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award (campus wide) - 2023