TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A recent study completed by two professors at Michigan State University showed that the department of advertising and public relations in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama was ranked 10th nationally in the number of peer-reviewed presentations at the American Academy of Advertising (AAA) during the past 20 years.

UA has increased the number of presentations made by its faculty and students from just one between 1983 and 1987 to 20 between 1998 and 2002, thanks to a renewed effort in its doctoral program. Texas, Michigan State, Florida and Georgia had the strongest presence over the period, but only Missouri, Tennessee and Florida made greater improvements during the span.

“It is an honor to be among the top programs as the AAA is the premier scholarly association in our field,” said Dr. Joseph Phelps, Reese Phifer professor of advertising and public relations. “This study provides one more indication of the high-quality research our faculty is conducting and the research training they are providing to our doctoral students.”

The next AAA conference will be held in Baton Rouge, La., March 25-28, 2004. Advertising students with research interests should submit papers by early October.

The AAA is an organization of advertising scholars and professionals with an interest in advertising and advertising education. The Academy fosters research that is relevant to the field and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among its academic and professional members.

The College of Communication & Information Sciences is among the largest and most prestigious communication colleges in the nation. C&IS has graduated more than 12,000 students and consistently is ranked among the top 10 in number of doctoral degrees awarded and in many of its research programs. C&IS graduates have won four of the six Pulitzer Prizes awarded to University of Alabama alumni. C&IS advertising students regularly win top awards in regional and national competitions sponsored by the advertising industry.