Adria Goldman

Associate Professor of Communication University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg VA

Dr. Goldman is an expert in the intersectionality of race, gender, culture and its connection to communication and media.

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Spotlight

Apr 1, 2024

2 min

Oh, Ozempic … Is THIN Back In?

After decades of what seemed like progress away from the obsession for “wellies” and “thigh gaps” the thin-is-in mentality seems to be creeping back into the spotlight to weigh on women’s minds – especially on social media. Channeling the renewed fascination with and focus on slimness, University of Mary Washington Assistant Professor of Communication Emily Crosby, and Associate Professors of Communication Adria Goldman and Elizabeth Johnson-Young, presented a talk titled "Social Media and the Changing Current of Health Messaging and Debates." Crosby's presentation, "Ozempic is Cheating!: Articulating a Digital Turn in Diet Culture," looks at the discourse surrounding Ozempic on social media. Employing feminist rhetorical criticism, Crosby analyzes posts and commentary to identify themes and conventions of analog and digital diet culture. This research articulates the digital turn in the "cult of thinness," to expose how medical injectable weight loss drugs undermine the body positive movement by invoking clinical technology as ethos. Goldman's presentation, "#SocialSupport: Examining the Informative and Emotional Functions of Bariatric Surgery Support Groups on Facebook," investigates the functions of digital support groups in assisting with mental well-being and emotional regulation for people considering, undergoing or recuperating from weight loss surgery. This research examines Facebook’s ability to function as both an informative and emotional resource for the bariatric surgery community. Johnson-Young's presentation, "Sugar, Snacks and Weight: An Examination of Posts and Parent Reactions to the Challenges of Nutritional Health Norms on the Growing Intuitive Eaters Instagram," examined posts and comments on an influencer's account. The research is rooted in both health behavior theory and non-evaluative and trust-based communication around food and nutrition. Preliminary findings show a variety of themes regarding reactions to the influencer's posts, from anger and resistance to relief and excitement. Weight loss, wellness and the enormous amount of attention this topic is getting has journalists looking for answers. And if you're covering or are looking to know more we can help. All three University of Mary Washington experts are available to speak with media simply click on an icon now to arrange an interview today.

Mar 8, 2021

2 min

What does Meghan Markle's explosive interview say about how the Royal Family and British press treats women of color?

It was hyped, promoted and delivered a ratings bonanza for CBS. Oprah Winfrey’s exclusive, no-holds barred interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, left many aghast by her revelations of mistreatment, constant abuse in the media and even Meghan's experience of racism when it came to the status, security and skin color of her then unborn son. Even the day after, Oprah, praised for her masterful interviewing skills, is still revealing excerpts that shine a brighter light on the situation. The Duchess of Sussex claimed the press team that would defend the royal family "when they know something's not true" failed to come to their defense. Winfrey asked Prince Harry if he hoped his family would ever acknowledge that the differences in treatment were over race. "It would make a huge difference," he said. "Like I said, there's a lot of people that have seen it for what it was… like it's talked about across the world." The people who do not want to see it, Harry claimed, "choose not to see it." March 08 – CBS News The interview has the public discussing racism and misogyny and how these are playing out in the Royal Family dynamics and the British press. And if you are a journalist looking to explore this issue, then let our experts help. Dr. Adria Goldman’s research explores the intersectionality of race, gender, culture and its connection to communication and media. She enjoys examining media’s impact on perceptions, construction of identity, social relationships and belief systems. Dr. Goldman is available to speak with media regarding Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and what it means when it comes to race, royalty and what impact it may have on the couple and the Royal Family moving forward. If you are looking to arrange an interview, simply click on her icon now to book a time today.

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Biography

Adria Goldman’s research explores the intersectionality of race, gender, culture and its connection to communication and media. She enjoys examining media’s impact on perceptions, construction of identity, social relationships and belief systems. Moreover, Dr. Goldman seeks to identify the complex relationship between media producers and consumers, while considering factors such as the role of ownership, media convergence, representations, race/class/gender and ideologies.

Dr. Goldman’s previous research has explored representations of Black women in television (specifically the reality genre), film, hip hop and social media. She is co-author of Black Women in Reality Television Docusoaps: Media Depictions and Reflections (Peter Lang Publishing) and co-editor of “I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church” (Special Issue of the Journal of Hip Hop Studies) and Black Women and Popular Culture: The Conversation Continues (Lexington Books).

Her current work dissects media presentations of sexuality for women of color. Dr. Goldman constantly seeks innovative ways to merge her research interests in the classroom. Her teaching experience includes courses in rhetoric, communication research, popular culture, public relations and mass media.

Areas of Expertise

Mass Media

Popular Culture

Rhetoric

Communication Research

Public Relations

Education

Howard University

Ph.D.

Mass Communication and Media Studies

2012

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

M.A.

Communication

2009

Longwood University

B.A.

Communication Studies

2007

Affiliations

Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association: Member
National Communication Association: Member
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi: Initiated 2006
Lamba Pi Eta: Initiated 2005

Media Appearances

OPINION: Is Gabrielle Union’s truth really that different from Julianne Hough’s?

Atlanta Journal Constitution online

2019-12-12

For starters, Goldman said, we must recognize the differences that exist between white women and Black women, and other women of color because frankly we are not all the same. “Failure to recognize this prevents progress and true support for and from each other,” she said. “In everything we consider – feminism, beauty standards, expressions of emotion, for example – there are different considerations for white women and Black women.”

Goldman presents on images of young Black females in reality programming at National Communication Association Conference

EagleEye UMW Faculty/Staff Newsletter online

2019-11-19

Dr. Goldman presentation, titled “From Cartoons to Reality Television: Examining Images of Young Black Females in Reality Programming,” was a review of her analysis of two competition reality shows with child/adolescent casts – Bravo’s Top Chef Jr. and Lifetime’s The Rap Game. This presentation was an extension of her dissertation research where she found that representations of Black women in reality television were more flattering when the cast was predominately Black.

Goldman co-edits special issue of The Journal of Hip Hop Studies devoted to Kanye West

EagleEye UMW Faculty/Staff Newsletter online

2019-09-11

According to the abstract, “The goal of this project, ‘I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church,’ is to add a new perspective to the scholarly discourse on Hip Hop and Christianity within classrooms, religious institutions and popular culture by focusing on Kanye. We chose to focus on Kanye because he has been one of Hip Hop’s most influential artists in the past decade. Furthermore, Kanye is one of the most polarizing celebrities in America and across the globe. His music, fashion, political views and family (which includes the Kardashians) dominate discourse on social media, blogs, television and other forms of mass media.”

Event Appearances

From Cartoons to Reality Television: Examining Images of Young Black Females in Reality Programming

The 105th annual convention of the National Communication Association

The Awkward Revolution: A Framing Analysis of Awkwardness, Humor, and Sexuality in Rachel Bloom’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

National Communication Association

Lambda Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Debutantes and Beaus High School Outreach Program

Media Literacy and Personal Branding Workshop

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Articles

I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church

The Journal of Hip Hop Studies

Wright, J. K., Goldman, A., & Ford, V., Eds.

2019

Hip Hop is undergoing a spiritual awakening! Growing numbers of artists are incorporating their religious faith into their music and performances. At the 59th annual Grammy Awards in 2017, Chance the Rapper performed a medley of his hits “All We Got,” “No Problem,” and “Blessings (Reprise).” Chance was accompanied by an orchestra, an African American choir dressed in white robes, and gospel greats Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann.

Black Women's Portrayals on Reality Television

The New Sapphire

2016

This book critically analyzes the portrayals of Black women in current reality television. Audiences are presented with a multitude of images of Black women fighting, arguing, and cursing at one another in this manufactured world of reality television.

Black Women in Reality Television Docusoaps

Peter Lang Publishing

Goldman, A. & Waymer, D.

2015

Black Women in Reality Television Docusoaps explores representations of Black women in one of the most powerful, popular forms of reality television – the docusoap. Viewers, critics, and researchers have taken issue with what they consider to be unflattering, one-dimensional representations. This book discusses images of Black women in reality television during the 2011 viewing year, when much criticism arose.