The College of Communication and Information (CCI) brought faculty, researchers, and campus leaders together for the 2025 CCI Research Summit on Oct. 23 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center. The daylong event, held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., showcased interdisciplinary research across communication, information, technology, and health, while emphasizing how scholarship can be translated into real-world impact.

The summit opened with check-in and breakfast before welcoming remarks from CCI Dean Michelle Kazmer, a health research update from Vice President for Research Dr. Stacey Patterson, and CCI health initiatives from Associate Dean for Research and Creative Activities Dr. Kaitlin Lansford. Together, the speakers set the tone for a day focused on productive discussion, innovation, and collaboration.

Throughout the day, attendees heard from faculty and experts across a series of panels. Sessions included “FSU Health — The Big Picture,” “Emerging Areas for Tech Research,” “Crisis Communication in Healthcare Settings,” “Translating Research Into Action,” and “Cybersecurity in Health.” The summit concluded with a discussion on “Commercializing Your Work,” highlighting pathways for turning research into practice.

Dr. Braidyn Lazenby, assistant professor in CCI’s School of Communication (SCOM), served as a panelist on the “Translating Research Into Action” panel. Lazenby said participating in the summit was meaningful because it aligned with the applied focus of her research.

“I pride myself on being a researcher who focuses on applied work,” Lazenby said. “Being asked to speak on a panel dedicated to translating research into action was assurance that my work was being recognized as functional and helpful to the broader public. I’m honored to be considered part of a larger group of people who strive to see communication research used to benefit others.”

For Lazenby, one of the most impactful aspects of the summit was the opportunity to connect with her colleagues.

Lazenby said that the most exciting part of the summit was the ability to collaborate and learn from other researchers in CCI. She stated that it’s always interesting to hear from those who do similar work but through different perspectives and disciplines.

She also highlighted a standout moment for SCOM.

“I especially enjoyed learning about the work our graduate students are doing during the poster presentations,” Lazenby said. “Our graduate students work hard to produce meaningful research and it was exciting to see that work come to life.”

Dr. Bill Hunkapiller, Chief Information Security Officer at FSU Information Technology Services, participated in the “Cybersecurity in Health” panel. He emphasized the value of the summit’s collaborative atmosphere.

“One of the best parts of the summit was the opportunity to connect with attendees,” Hunkapiller said. “Deans, department chairs, VIPs, and other campus leaders were present, creating an informal and approachable environment for networking across FSU.”

From his perspective, the summit also displayed CCI’s growing leadership in cybersecurity and technology.

Hunkapiller stated that CCI has taken a prominent role in cybersecurity and technology through public-private partnerships in Florida and at a national level. He’s proud to have attended the first CCI Research Summit and is excited for future events where CCI and other researchers can explore the future of technology, policy, and security.

Both panelists agreed that the summit successfully highlighted the impact of research taking place within CCI.

“The College of Communication and Information does incredible work,” Lazenby said. “The CCI Research Summit was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the work we do and celebrate our accomplishments.”

Through panels, presentations, and networking, this event gave a forum for highlighting research initiatives within CCI and encouraged collaboration.

Check out the 2025 CCI Research Summit agenda here: https://cci.fsu.edu/researchsummit/