UA Adds Student Research Responsibilities to Bissell’s Roles

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences’ administrator and researcher will add campus-wide undergraduate research responsibilities to her roles, UA announced today.

Dr. Kim Bissell will become director of UA’s undergraduate research, effective Dec. 1, said Dr. Carl A. Pinkert, vice president for research and economic development.

“These added responsibilities include oversight of UA’s Emerging Scholars Program, in addition to new research initiatives with undergraduate students,” said Pinkert.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to expand our undergraduate research programs at The University of Alabama, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help move the University forward with its research initiatives,” Bissell said.

UA’s popular Emerging Scholars program, designed to attract freshmen to research, has been directed by Dr. Ann Webb, and Pinkert expressed appreciation for the “tremendous” impact Webb made.

“Dr.  Webb has transformed the Emerging Scholars program into one of the nation’s best undergraduate research programs, providing opportunities for more than 1,000 undergraduate students since 2009,” Pinkert said.

“With Webb’s retirement, Bissell will continue this tradition of excellence,” Pinkert said, “working with the colleges and schools across campus to develop new opportunities for undergraduate research, in addition to expanding programs currently in place.”

A professor in UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, Bissell will continue in her roles as the College’s associate dean for research and director of the Institute for Communication & Information Research. Her research interests lie in the intersection of media, health and children.