ODU Professors Land Contract to Write Textbook

Old Dominion professors Burton St. John III and Yvette Pearson recently entered into a contract for publication of a textbook they are co-writing, tentatively titled "Crisis Communication and Crisis Management: Principles of Ethical Practice."

St. John is an associate professor of communication. Pearson is an associate professor of philosophy and religious studies and chair of that department.

The textbook, which stems from a similarly titled class the two co-taught, is slated for release by Sage Publications in August 2015.

"Yvette and I are pleased to have this opportunity to offer a crisis communication text that centers on discussion and examination of ethics," St. John said. "No other text takes that approach, so we see that this book will make a valuable contribution to both student and professional knowledge about approaching crisis situations."

Matthew Byrnie, senior acquisitions editor for Sage Publications, said the book will be "a great addition to our list here at Sage."

Previously, St. John authored two books on public journalism and press propaganda: "Professionalization and Propaganda: The Rise of Journalistic Double-Mindedness," and "Public Journalism 2.0: The Promise and Reality of a Citizen-Engaged Press." Additionally, he has written book chapters for The Virginian-Pilot's "Co-Pilot Project: Public Journalism 2.0?" and "Legacy: Propaganda, Journalism and the Domestic Struggle over the Commodification of Truth."

Pearson has authored book chapters for "Robot Caregivers: Ethical Issues Across the Human Lifespan" and "Making Parents: Conventions, Intentions, and Biological Connections."

In addition, both St. John and Pearson have independently written numerous articles that have been published in academic journals and presented research topics at an array of conferences.