Thomas W. Volek

School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Associate Professor

Journalism

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Minnesota

twvolek@ku.edu

Primary office:

Stauffer-Flint Hall, 200

University of Kansas

1435 Jayhawk Boulevard

Lawrence, KS 6645-7575

Second office:

Bio
Publications
Presentations
Contracts/Grants
Awards/Honors

Russian journalism, emerging market-based media in Russia, the U.S. military on military-media issues

Education

Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Minnesota

M.A., Speech -- Radio-TV-Film, University of Wisconsin

B.J., Broadcasting, University of Missouri

Selected Publications

Volek, T. W., & Thomas, J. (Eds.). (2012). [Other] (Issue 1). http://military-media.kuinteractive.com/

Volek, T. W., & Thomas, J. (Eds.). (2010). [Other] (Issue 1). http://military-media.kuinteractive.com/

» Show All Publications

Selected Presentations

Volek, T. (11/30/2015). Several Panels. Conference on Post-Traumatic Stress. Washington, DC. http://www.journalism.ku.edu/school-journalism-host-workshop-post-trauma...

Volek, T. W. (3/23/2000). Fullbright Scholar Presentations. (In St. Petersburg, Russia, and environs, March 6-23, 2000, funded by USIA, done with David Guth:). St. Petersburg, Russia

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (3/14/2000 - 3/15/2000). Public Relations. Seminar and Workshop with Leningrad Oblast public information officers -- emphasis on issues surrounding elections and political communications. Conducted at the U.S. Consulate American Center. St. Petersburg, Russia

Volek, T. W. (11/30/1999). Conference on Media Law Reform in West Africa, Invited participant to conference with 65 delegates from 13 West African nations. Delegates included journalists, educators, members of parliaments, judges and ministers. Participated in plenary and breakout sessions on press rights, human rights, building civil societies and practical strategies for building a free press. Sponsored by the Media Foundation for West Africa in Accra, Ghana

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (3/26/1999). (In St. Petersburg, Russia, and environs, March 13-26, 1999, funded by USIA, done with David Guth:). St. Petersburg, Russia

Volek, T. W., & Basow, R. R. (10/8/1998). (In Croatia, September 27-October 8, 1998, funded by IREX/ProMedia under a USAID grant, with Bob Basow:). Croatia

Volek, T. W., & Basow, R. R. (10/7/1998). Brief presentation on the state of Croatian broadcasting to U.S. Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery. At the Embassy. Zagreb, Croatia

Volek, T. W. (10/7/1998). One-day seminar to management and sales personnel at TV Moslavina. Presentations included sales promotions and network building, Kutina, Croatia

Volek, T. W. (9/30/1998 - 10/1/1998). Two-day seminar to management and sales personnel at the Varazdin Television Company. Presentations and workshops included IMC and sales promotions, advertising agency basics and building client bases. Varazdin, Croatia

Volek, T. W., Basow, R. R., Herford, P., Markhoff, S., & Newstrom, J. (9/27/1998 - 9/28/1998). Two-day seminar to Croatian Independent Radio Broadcasters and Croatian Independent Television Broadcasters (in plenary and breakout sessions, and individual consulting). Sessions included basics of IMC, sales promotions, audience targeting, programming to audiences and management and collection of debts. With Bob Basow, Peter Herford, Shelly Markhoff and Jon Newstrom of ProMedia. Plitvice, Croatia

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (6/17/1998). (In St. Petersburg, Russia, and environs, May 29-June 17, 1998, funded by USIA, with David Guth:). St. Petersburg, Russia

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (6/17/1998). Presentation to administration and faculty of the Vonch Brugevish University (State University of Telecommunications) on public relations curricula and surrounding issues

Volek, T. W., Volek, S. M., & Hasley, B. (6/9/1998 - 6/10/1998). Two-day Public Relations seminar for Leningrad Oblast government officials. Various presentations and hands-on workshops. With Susan M. Volek and Bruce Hasley of SAIC. USIS-St. Petersburg

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (6/8/1998). Public Relations seminar for Leningrad Oblast government officials and journalists, conducted at oblast government headquarters at Smolny

Volek, T. W., & Guth, D. W. (6/5/1998). Ethics Seminar for journalists at Kirishshy Fakel, a publication house printing four newspapers. Kirishi, Russia

Volek, T. W., Guth, D. W., & Sharogradskaya, A. (6/3/1998 - 6/4/1998). Two-day seminar on interviewing techniques presented to Russian Journalists. Included Sessions on "What you need to know to live in a democracy," "Interviewing Basics I & 2," "Enterprise Reporting," and hands-on interviewing work, including press conferences. With David Guth and Anna Sharogradskaya of NPI

Volek, T. W. (4/18/1998). (At the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in San Jose, Costa Rica, April 14-18, 1998, funded by the UCR, USIA, and the WAW School:). San Jose, Costa Rica

Volek, T. W. (1/1/1997 - 6/30/1997). Fulbright Fellowship Presentations Five-month appointment to the Journalism Faculty of St. Petersburg State University. Taught two, 12-class-meeting advertising courses and one 10-class-meeting law course. Taught eight other class periods in various courses on such topics as American journalism, American broadcasting, newspaper design and reporting and ethics. Also researched and presented a paper titled, "The Evolving Newspaper Press in Russia and its Changing Relationship with Russian Society," listed below. St. Petersburg, Russia

Volek, T. W., Volek, S. M., & Hasley, B. (6/5/1997 - 6/6/1997). Public Relations Training For Northwest Russian Local Administrations. USIS-sponsored, two-day practical workshop for 20 Leningrad Oblast public relations officers exploring real-world PR issues and practice from local government perspective. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). San Diego, CA

Volek, T. W. (2/25/1997 - 2/26/1997). Journalism Ethics. USIS-sponsored, two-day workshop for 15 professional Russian journalists exploring real-world ethical issues and cases. Done with RAPIC

Volek, T. W. (4/30/1996). Professionalizing Kyrgyz Media. USIA invited and funded project had two objectives. First, USIA invited author to participate in first National Media Conference in Kyrgyzstan, sponsored by Kyrgyz National State University. Gave two papers, participated in discussions. Second, author consulted with numerous media outlets (newspapers, magazines, radio and television companies) to assist them in democratization and to report on the state of the media to USIS/USIA. Spent two weeks in Bishkek and Osh, Kyrgyzstan and environs

Volek, T. W. (2/28/1992). Freedom Forum Technology Seminar, invited participant, four day seminar, Freedom Forum Media Studies Center. New York City

Selected Grants

Program to teach journalism ethics and international journalism at Kaliningrad State University and to work with the Union of Journalists in St. Petersburg, Russia. U.S. Department of State. $15309.00. (5/1/2005 - 6/30/2005). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to teach journalism practice in democratic societies to Chelyabinsk State University and to research Russian media in Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. U. S. Department of State. $15300.00. (10/31/2004). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to teach Journalism at Petrozavodsk State University and Media Law at the Russian Law Academy of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation - Northern Branch in Petrozavodsk. U. S. Department of State. $12073.00. (3/31/2004). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to teach journalism ethics and practice at Vologda State University. U. S. Department of State. $13319.00. (9/1/2003 - 10/31/2003). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to research Russian media and teach journalism at Petrozavodsk State University. U. S. Department of State. $14434.00. (9/1/2002 - 10/31/2002). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to research Russian media and teach journalism at Vologda State University. U. S. Department of State. $10648.00. (3/31/2002). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to teach Journalism at Kaliningrad State University. U.S. Department of State. $11475.00. (9/1/2001 - 10/31/2001). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to work with Northwest Russian Journalism Schools in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. U.S. Department of State. $5265.00. (3/31/2001). Federal. Status: Funded. U.S. Dept. of State-invited and funded project.

Program to Work with Northwest Russia Government Ministers and Press Officers, and Journalists. USIA. $6000.00. (3/31/2000). Federal. Status: Funded. USIA-invited and funded project.

Program to Work with Leningrad Oblast Press Officers and Journalists. USIA. $4500.00. (3/31/1999). Federal. Status: Funded. USIA-invited and funded project.

Program to work with Croatian Independent Television and Radio Broadcasters. USAID. $6500.00. (9/1/1998 - 10/31/1998). Federal. Status: Funded. IREX-ProMedia-invited and funded project (under USAID grant).

Program to Work with Russian Journalists, Marketing Professionals and Oblast Press Officers. USIA. $4600.00. (5/1/1998 - 6/30/1998). Federal. Status: Funded. USIA-invited and funded project.

University of Costa Rica School of Mass Communication Sciences 30th Anniversary Conference. UCR, USIA, KU Office of International Studies and the WAW School. $4000.00. (4/30/1998). Status: Funded. Invited by UCR Journalism Faculty. (Note mix of KU funding and external funding.)

Fulbright Fellowship. $30000.00. (1/1/1997 - 6/30/1997). Federal. Status: Funded

Fulbright Scholar. (1/1/1997 - 6/30/1997). Federal. Status: Funded. J.William Fulbright scholar attached to St. Petersburg State University Faculty of Journalism, St. Petersburg, Russia. List of activities under "Invited Presentations."

Freedom Support Act Fellowship Program. USIA. $88000.00. (1/1/1995 - 12/31/1997). Federal. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

Professionalizing Kyrgyz Media. USIA. $2200.00. (4/30/1996). Federal. Status: Funded. USIA-invited and funded project.

Freedom Support Act Fellowship Program. USIA. $88000.00. (1/1/1994 - 12/31/1996). Federal. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

Program to Establish an Advertising and Public Relations Curriculum at Kyrgyz Technical University. USIA. $75313.00. (1/1/1995 - 12/31/1996). Federal. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

Professionalizing the Korean Media. USIA. $142874.00. (1/1/1994 - 12/31/1995). Federal. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

Program to Further Develop an Independent Media Center in Kyrgyzstan and to Establish an Advertising and Public Relations Curriculum in Kyrgyzstan. Eurasia Foundation. $54712.00. (12/31/1995). Foundation. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

University of Kansas Training Program in Entrepreneurial Journalism in Kyrgyzstan. USIA. $58876.00. (1/1/1994 - 12/31/1995). Federal. Status: Funded. Written with Terry Weidner.

Training Program for Russian Business and Economic Journalists. USAID funded through the National Forum Foundation, Washington, D.C.. $33000.00. (12/31/1994). Federal. Status: Funded

Examining the Implications of Shifts in Telecommunications Policy on Communications in the Business World. University of Kansas. (12/31/1993). University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded. Faculty Research Grant. Study of the Union Pacific Railroad and the impact of deregulation on its telecommunications systems. Used by WAW School in developing the IMC program at the Regents Center.

A History of Videotape Recording Technology. University of Kansas. (12/31/1990). University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded. Examination of history and social use of the technology. Produced paper "Forces Acting on the Development of Videotape Recording," presented at the 25th annual Popular Culture Association conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 12-15, 1995.

Bridging the Gap: Military and the Media. McCormick Foundation. $395000.00. Foundation. Status: Funded. Developed and currently administering program "Bridging the Gap: Military and the Media" with the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., with Co-Investigator Barbara Barnett. Project includes integrated course of Army majors and KU students, week-long “boot camp” for mid-career journalists at Ft. Leavenworth, and pilot journal publication examining media and the military issues. Original $50,000 one-year program renewed for two years; renewed for two more years at $200,000. Recently renewed for one year at $45,000 Total grant: $395,000.

Selected Awards & Honors

Finalist, H.O.P.E. Award (Honored Outstanding Progressive Educator)
University of Kansas
2004

W. T. Kemper Teaching Fellowship
University of Kansas
2000

Excellence in Teaching Award
KU Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
1999

Finalist, Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award
KU Athletic Department
1998

Fulbright Scholar
J. William Fulbright
1997

Finalist, H.O.P.E. Award (Honored Outstanding Progressive Educator)
University of Kansas
1997

Finalist, H.O.P.E. Award (Honored Outstanding Progressive Educator)
University of Kansas
1996

Juried Faculty Production Competition
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
1993

Honorarium, Calder Pickett Teaching Development Fund
William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
1992

Semifinalist, H.O.P.E. Award
University of Kansas
1992

Honorarium, Calder Pickett Teaching Development Fund
William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
1991

Graduate School Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1989

Herbert Berridge Elliston Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1989

Hubbard Broadcasting Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1989

3M Corporation Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1988

Graduate School Tuition Fellowship
University of Minnesota
1988

Hubbard Broadcasting Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1988

Graduate School Scholarship
University of Minnesota
1987

William Allen White Foundation Teaching Professor
1998 - Present