Fariba Pajooh
Wayne State University Department of CommunicationManoogian Hall, 906 W Warren Ave., #508, Detroit, MI 48201
Fariba Pajooh
Biography
Fariba is a qualitative researcher, Ph.D. candidate, and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University. She boasts an extensive career as a journalist, having originally hailed from Iran. With over 15 years of experience working globally, her journalistic focus primarily covered Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, offering insightful reports from these regions.
Fariba’s academic research interests are deeply rooted in journalism studies, particularly journalism in conflict zones, diaspora, and postcolonial societies. Two main theoretical frameworks—Journalistic Role Performance and the Peace/ Classic Journalism Covering Conflicts Hypothesis—are central to her academic pursuits. Her research critically analyzes how journalists perform their roles in various situations, including conflict scenarios, exploring the implications for conflict resolution and media practices.
She aims to harness her extensive journalism background and diverse, intercultural professional experiences to enhance academic programs, policy maker organizations, and think tanks. Also, she plans to develop and teach innovative journalism, communication, and conflict resolution courses, blending practical insights with academic theories to deepen students’ learning experiences.
Fariba’s academic credentials include a Master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University, attained in 2017. Her exemplary work in journalism also led to her nomination for the prestigious UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in 2020, underscoring her significant contributions to the field and her commitment to press freedom.
She also served as the International Chair for the Union, Graduate Employees' Organizing Committee (GEOC), from 2022 to 2024.