Steven Corman

Professor Emeritus,

Hugh Downs School Of Human Communication

Other ASU affiliations

Senior Affiliate, Center for Strategic Comm

Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations Affiliates

Institute for Social Science Research

Faculty Affiliate, Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict

Affiliate, Melikian Center

Senior Global Futures Scholar, Global Futures Scientists and Scholars

STAUF Tempe, AZ 85287-1205
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Long Bio

In 2011, Steven Corman was appointed director of ASU's Center for Strategic Communication which focuses on improving strategic communication in public-sector organizations. He is editor of "Narrating the Exit from Afghanistan" (Spring, 2013, CSC) co-author of "Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism" (2011, Palgrave Macmillan) and co-editor of "Weapons of Mass Persuasion: Strategic Communication to Combat Violent Extremism" (2008, Peter Lang). The latter won the 2009 Distinguished Award for a Scholarly Edited Book from the Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association. That same year, Corman won the Applied/Public Policy Research Award from the International Communication Association, and the Faculty Achievement Award in Defining Edge Research: Best Professional Application at Arizona State University. Over his career, Corman has published more than 50 articles, books, book chapters, and white papers, and holds three patents.

Since 2001 Corman has served as an invited participant or featured speaker at workshops and symposia on counterterrorism, strategic communication and public diplomacy. In 2011-2012, he served as a senior consortium fellow for the Army Research Institute, and in 2011 he was distinguished visiting scholar at the Centre for Excellence in National Security at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. In 2005-2006, he served on the scientist panel for the Strategic Operations Working Group at U.S. Special Operations Command as an expert on terrorist networks and ideology. He has been an invited speaker at international conferences in Germany, Italy, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Corman’s other research interests include organizational communication systems, text and conversation analysis, social networks, and computational modeling/simulation. He is past Chair of the Organizational Communication Division of the International Communication Association, and serves on the editorial board of Management Communication Quarterly.

Education

Ph.D. Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.A. Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S. Communication Studies, Illinois State University

Curriculum Vitae

Google Scholar URL

Google Scholar Profile

Research Interests

strategic communication, organizational communication, terrorism, public diplomacy

Publications

Corman, Steven Robert. Structuration Theory. International Encyclopedia of Communication (2008).
Corman, S. R. Complex systems problems in the War of Ideas. Perspectives on Terrorism (2008).
Corman, Steven Robert, Trethewey, Angela, Goodall, Harold Lloyd. Weapons of Mass Persuasion: Strategic Communication to Combat Violent Extremism. (2008).
A Trethewewy, Steven Corman. Anticipating K Commerce E Commerce Knowledge Management and Organizational Communication. Freiberger Beitrage zur Interkulturellen und Wirtschaftskommunikation (2006).
Steven Corman. On Being Less Theoretical and More Technological. Journal of Business and Technical Communication (2006).
Steven Corman. Using Activity Focus Networks to Pressure Terrorist Organizations. Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory (2006).
McPhee, R D,Corman, Steven Robert (Author) ,Iverson, J O. We Ought to Have Gumption An Analysis of an Excerpt from the Videotape after Mr Sam. Interacting and Organizing: Analyses of a Board Meeting (2006).
Steven Corman, T Kuhn. The Detectability of Socio Egocentric Group Speech A Quasi Turing Test. Communication Monographs (2005).
Corman, Steven Robert (Author) . Network Dynamics in Self Organizing Communication and Activity Systems. Advances in Self Organizing Systems (2005).
Corman, Steven Robert (Author) . Network Dynamics in Self Organizing Communication and Activity Systems. Progress in Communication Sciences Self Organizing Systems (2005).
Corman, Steven. Growing up in Turbulent Times. (2005).
K Dooley, Steven Corman. Dynamic Analysis of News Streams Institutional Versus Environmental Effects. Nonlinear Dynamics Psychology and Life Sciences (2004).
Corman, Steven Robert (Author) . Postpositivism. Engaging Organizational Communication Theory and Research Multiple Perspectives (2004).
K Dooley, Steven Corman, R McPhee, T Kuhn. Modeling High Resolution Broadband Discourse in Complex Adaptive Systems. Nonlinear Dynamics Psychology and Life Sciences (2003).
T Kuhn, Steven Corman. The Emergence of Homogeneity and Heterogeneity in Knowledge Structures during a Planned Organizational Change. Communication Monographs (2003).
U Brandes, Steven Corman. Visual Unrolling of Network Evolution and the Analysis of Dynamic Discourse. Information Visualization (2003).
Dooley, K, Corman, Steven Robert. Agent Based Genetic and Emergent Computational Models of Complex Systems. Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems EOLSS (2002).
R McPhee, Steven Corman, K Dooley. Organizaitonal Knowledge Expression and Management Centering Resonance Analysis of Organizational Discourse. Management Communication Quarterly (2002).
Steven Corman, K Dooley, Robert McPhee. A Knowledge Directory for Identifying Experts and Areas of Expertise. Human Systems Management (2002).
Steven Corman, T Kuhn, R McPhee, K Dooley. Studying Complex Discursive Systems Centering Resonance Analysis of Communication. Human Communication Research (2002).
U Brandes, Steven Corman. Visual Unrolling of Network Evolution and the Analysis of Dynamic Discourse. Proceedings of the IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization (InfoVis '02) (2002).
Corman, Steven Robert (Author) . The Dynamics of Electronic Media Coverage. Communication and Terrorism Public and Media Responses to 9/11 (2002).
A Trethewewy, Steven Corman. Anticipating K Commerce E Commerce Knowledge Management and Organizational Communication. Interkulturellen und Wirtschaftskommunikation (2001).
Steven Corman, M Poole. Anticipating K-Commerce E Commerce Knowledge Management and Organizational Communication. Management Communication Quarterly (2000).
Steven Corman, M Poole. Perspectives on Organizational Communication Finding Common Ground. (2000).

Research Activity

Woodward,Mark Rhey*, Corman,Steven Robert, Davulcu,Hasan, He,Jingrui, Warner,Carolyn. Finding Allies for the War of Words: Mapping the Diffusion and Influence of Counter-radical Muslim Discourse (Addition). DOD-NAVY-ONR(9/1/2015 - 8/31/2016).
Quay,Raymond G*, Corman,Steven Robert, Elser,Monica Mueller, Maciejewski,Ross. Growing New Arizona Water Leadership (ASUF 30006595). ASU FDN(4/1/2015 - 12/31/2015).
Cohen,Adam*, Brewer Jr,Gene, Corman,Steven Robert, Newman,Matt L. Religion Culture and Trust. DOD-AFOSR(2/1/2015 - 1/31/2018).
Bliss,Nadya T*, Ahn,Gail-Joon, Bliss,Daniel Wesley, Cooke,Nancy Jaworski, Corman,Steven Robert, Davulcu,Hasan, Dirks,Gary William, Finn,Edward Frederick, Finn,Edward Frederick, Liu,Huan, Maciejewski,Ross, Thies,Cameron G, Westerhoff,Paul, White,Dave Douglas. The Foresight Initiative. DOD-NGA(6/1/2014 - 5/31/2019).
Corman,Steven Robert*. Strategic Frames Analysis of NATO Ballistic Missile Defense and Changes in Public Opinion. Latvia(4/8/2014 - 6/30/2014).
Corman,Steven Robert*. Strategic Frames Analysis of NATO Ballistic Missile Defense and Changes in Public Opinion. GERMAN MARSHALL FUND OF THE US(2/1/2014 - 5/26/2014).
Corman,Steven Robert*. Competing Narrative Influences in the Philippines. LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION(8/1/2012 - 12/31/2012).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Halverson,Jeffry. Assessing Violent Extremist Ideology in Tunisia. MITRE CORP(8/1/2012 - 9/30/2013).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Brewer Jr,Gene, Cohen,Adam, Roberto,Anthony, Ruston,Scott W, Trethewey,Angela. Toward Narrative Disruptors and Inductors: Mapping the Narrative Comprehension Network and its Persuasive Effects. DOI - NBC(6/27/2012 - 12/26/2013).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Bernardi,Daniel Leonard, Bernardi,Daniel Leonard, Cheong,Pauline, Davulcu,Hasan, Davulcu,Hasan, Goodall,Harold Lloyd, Goodall,Harold Lloyd, Trethewey,Angela. Identifying Terrorist Narratives and Counter-Narratives: Embedding Story Analysis in Expeditionary Unit. DOD-NAVY-ONR(4/1/2009 - 3/31/2015).
Woodward,Mark Rhey*, Woodward,Mark Rhey*, Corman,Steven Robert, Davulcu,Hasan, Jacobson,David, Taylor,Thomas J. Finding Allies for the War of Words: Mapping the Diffusion and Influence of Counter-Radical Muslim Discourse. DOD-NAVY-ONR(4/1/2009 - 5/31/2014).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Trethewey,Angela. Defending Against the Army of the future: Self-Organizing Groups. Rendon(7/29/2008 - 8/30/2009).
Corman,Steven Robert*. Influence and Information Campaigns. Centra Tech., Inc(3/1/2008 - 3/31/2008).
Corman,Steven Robert*. Creating a Tool to Process MS Word Documents Containing Arabic Text. CMG Assoc, LLC(4/10/2006 - 10/31/2006).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Dooley,Kevin John. STTR: Phase II-Text Mining Under Storage Constraints. CRAWDAD TECH(2/28/2005 - 6/27/2007).
Corman,Steven Robert*, Dooley,Kevin John. Molecular Imaging to ASU Software Factory. MOLECULAR IMAGE CORP(1/1/2004 - 5/15/2004).
Dooley,Kevin John*, Corman,Steven Robert. STTR: CENTERING RESONANCE ANALYSIS-A SUPERIOR APPROACH FOR MINING TEXTUAL DATA STREAMS. CRAWDAD TECH(9/15/2003 - 6/30/2004).

Courses

2025 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis

2024 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis
COM 494	Special Topics

2024 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis

2023 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis
COM 494	Special Topics

2023 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis
COM 494	Special Topics

2022 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis
COM 691	Seminar

2022 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
COM 494	Special Topics
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis

2021 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
COM 494	Special Topics
COM 799	Dissertation
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis

2021 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
COM 494	Special Topics
COM 492	Honors Directed Study
COM 493	Honors Thesis

2020 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
COM 494	Special Topics
COM 799	Dissertation

Presentations

Corman, S. R. Weapons of mass persuasion: A critique of the strategic communication paradigm. NATO Joint Senior Psychological Operations Conference (Nov 2010).
Corman, S. R. Constructing Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Applying Communication and Narrative Theories to Counter-Terrorism. National Communicaiton Association annual conference (Nov 2010).
Corman, S. R. Terrorism and New Media Roundtable. International Communication Association annual conference (Jun 2010).
Corman, S. R. Terrorism and New Media Roundtable. International Communication Association annual conference (Jun 2010).
Corman, S.R. The role of narrative in strategic communication. Third NATO Symposium on Global Terrorism and International Cooperation (Mar 2010).
Corman, S. R. Public Diplomacy as Narrative. International Studies Association annual conference (Feb 2010).
Corman, S. R. Terrorism and New Media Roundtable. International Studies Association annual conference (Feb 2010).
Corman, S. R. iDiplomats. iDiplomacy Symposium on Public Diplomacy (Nov 2009).
Corman, S. R. Innovations in Group Communication Theory: Dual-Level Connectionist Models. National Communicaiton Association (Nov 2009).
Corman, S. R. What narrative is. USJFCOM/USSOCOM Irregular Warfare Development workshop (Jun 2009).
Corman, S. R. What Power Needs to be Smart. Warwick International Security Initiative Conference (May 2009).
Corman, S. R. US Strategic Communication Policy and a Model for the 21st Century. NATO Center of Excellence for Defense Against Terrorism, Ankara, Turkey (May 2009).
Corman, S. R. Promises and Challenges of Computerized Knowledge Management in a Best-Case Scenario. International Communication Association (May 2009).
Corman, S. R. Complex Systems and Terrorism: Responses to Terrorism from a Public Diplomacy Point of View. National Communication Association, San Diego, California (Nov 2008).
Corman, S. R. Government Contracts and Business Grants As Funding Sources. Organizational Communication Division Preconference, National Communication Association, San Diego, (Nov 2008).
Corman, S. R. Strategic Communicaiton and Violent Extremism. USJFCOM/USSOCOM Irregular Warfare Workshop on Countering Violent Extremism (Jun 2008).
Corman, S. R. Pragmatic Complexity and Strategic Communication. Exploring Military Dimensions in Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism, George C. Marshall Ce (May 2008).
Corman, S. R. Perspectives on Communication Technology and Organizing. International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada (May 2008).
Corman, S. R. Pragmatic Complexity and Resilient Strategic Communication. Asia Pacific Program for Senior National Security Officers, R. J. Rajarathnam School of Internationa (Apr 2008).
Corman, S. R. Engaging Conversation about Major Works in Organizational Communication. International Communication Association, San Francisco, California (May 2007).
Corman, S. R. Using Automated Text Analysis to Study Online Political Discourse. International Communication Association, San Francisco, California (May 2007).
Corman, Steven. Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism An Organizational Communication Perspective. (Nov 2006).
Corman, Steven. Weapons of Mass Persuasion Communicating against Terrorist Ideology. CIST Conference George C Marshall European Center for Security Studies (Oct 2006).
Corman, Steven. Communicating against Ideological Support for Terrorism. (Oct 2006).
Corman, Steven, Dooley, K. Using Text Analysis to Enhance the University Knowledge Network. International Communication Association (Jun 2006).
Corman, Steven. Design of the Enron Interface. International Communication Association (Jun 2006).
Corman, Steven. Organizational Communication at Enron E-mail from 151 Top Executives. (Jun 2006).
Corman, Steven. Public Diplomacy Messages Process Outcomes. Senior Conference XLIII United States Military Academy at West Point (Jun 2006).
Corman, Steven, Dooley, K, Parsons, J. A Reality Show for Network Geeks Software factory and the Quest for the Ultimate Dataset. 25th International Sunbelt Social Networks Conference (Feb 2005).
Corman, Steven. Putting the Communication in Organizational Communication. 17th Annual Organizational Communication Mini Conference (Oct 2004).
Corman, Steven. Analyzing Text and Discourse Using Network Models. (Sep 2004).
Corman, Steven, Gaertler, M, Wagner, D. Geometric MST Custering of Text Network Collections. 24th International Sunbelt Social Networks Conference (May 2004).
Corman, Steven. Analyzing Unstructured Text Using Network Methods. DFG Workshops University of Tuebingen University of Passau and University of Karlsruhe (Apr 2003).
Corman, Steven, Dooley, K. Dynamic Patterns in Terrorism News Reuters Coverage of 9/11. Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems Conference CASOS 02 (Jun 2002).
Corman, Steven. Activity Networks and Terrorist Organizations. SAIC Project MacDuff DoD Sponsored Workshop (Apr 2002).
Corman, Steven. Organizational Communication and Anti Terrorist Strategy. SAIC Project MacDuff DoD Sponsored Workshop (Jan 2002).
Corman, Steven. Communication and E Business A Roundtable Discussion. Organizational Communication Division International Communication Association (May 2001).
Corman, Steven, Iverson, Joel, Zaug, Pamela, Kuhn, Timothy, Dooley, Kevin, McPhee, Robert. Discourse Analysis of Organizational Knowing A Survey of Assumptions and Problems. (Nov 2000).

Honors / Awards

May 2016. Frederic R. Jablin Award for Outstanding Contributions to Organizational Communication. International Communication Association.

February 2013, ASU Alumni Association Founders’ Day Award for Faculty Service.

February, 2011. Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievements and Contributions. Human Social Culture Behavior (HSCB) Modeling Program, U.S. Department of Defense.

April, 2010. Outstanding Alum in Communication Studies. School of Communication, Illinois State University.

November, 2009. Distinguished Award for a Scholarly Edited Book, Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association. Steve Corman, Angela Trethewey, and Bud Goodall for Weapons of Mass Persuasion: Strategic Communication to Combat Violent Extremism, 2009 (Peter Lang).

May, 2009. Applied / Public Policy Research Award, International Communication Association.

May 2009. Faculty Achievement Award in Defining Edge Research: Best Professional Application, Arizona State University

November, 2006. B. Aubrey Fisher Award for best published paper of 2005. Small Group Communication Division, National Communication Association. With Tim Kuhn for Corman & Kuhn (2005).

September, 2004. Runner-up, Best Published Paper of 2003. Academy of Management’s Organizational Communication and Information Systems division. With Tim Kuhn for Kuhn & Corman (2003).

May 2001. Charles Redding Dissertation of the Year Award, Organizational Communication Division, International Communication Association, jointly with advisee Tim Kuhn.

November 1999. Outstanding Article Award, Organizational Communication Division, National Communication Association, 1998-1999. For Scott, Corman, & Cheney (1998).

May 1998. Outstanding Faculty Member. Campus-wide award by the College of Extended Education at ASU, for development of COM 394, "Communication Technology in Everyday Life."

May 1995. Dissertation of the Year Award, Communication and Technology Division, International Communication Association, jointly with advisee Craig Scott.

Service

Undergraguate Committee, Member (2006 - Present)
Undergraguate Committee, Member (2006 - Present)
Hugh Downs School Center for Strategic Communication, Director (2005 - Present)
Hugh Downs School Cosortium for Strategic Communication, Director (2005 - Present)
Enron Interface Project Organizational Communication Division International Communication Association National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Director (2005 - Present)
International Human Communication Research, Associate Editor (2003 - Present)
Western Journal of Communication Western States Communication Association, Editorial Board Member (2001 - Present)
Management Communication Quarterly, Editorial Board Member (2000 - Present)
International Communication Association Organizational Communication Division, Chair (2004 - 2006)
Office of University Initiatives ASU Mind Mapping Project, Co Director (2005 - 2005)
Special Operations Working Group US Special Operations Command, Member (2004 - 2005)
ASU Software Factory, Co Director (2002 - 2005)
Interdisciplinary PhD in Communication Executive Committee, Member (2004 - 2005)
Communication Monographs National Communication Association, Editorial Board Member (2001 - 2004)
International Communication Association Organizational Communication Division, Vice Chair (2002 - 2004)
International Human Communication Research, Editorial Board Member (2001 - 2003)
National Human Communication Research, Editorial Board Member (2001 - 2003)
Governor's E Government Hot Team Arizona Partnership for the New Economy, Member (2000 - 2001)
ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management, (2000 - 2000)
Kids Voting USA Arizona Legislature Arizona Secretary of State Arizona Dept of Commerce Arizona Dept of Revenue, Pro Bono Consulting (1993 - 2000)
Communication Reports, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Communication Research, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Communication Review, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Information Systems Research, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Journal of Applied Communication Research, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Management Communication Quarterly, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)
Organization Science, Ad Hoc Reviewer (Present)

Expertise Areas

Terrorism

Organizational Communication

Strategic Communication

Public Diplomacy

Social Media

Social Networks