Karen Shalev, MS

Hi, I’m Karen Shalev, a PhD student and graduate assistant in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut.

 

My research focuses on reducing communication inefficiencies in organizational settings. I examine how communication processes can be streamlined to reduce time and burden, lower costs, and strengthen relationships among internal and external stakeholders at all levels of organizations. While I specialize in healthcare organizations, my work can be applied to a variety of settings, informed by my 12+ years of experience across cosmetology, marketing, and education sectors.

 

My work prioritizes applied impact in collaboration with practitioners, focusing on translating research into actionable strategies that improve organizational efficiency, employee well-being, and external stakeholder outcomes. I specialize in qualitative methods and complement these with quantitative analyses.

 

By connecting communication theory with real-world practice, I position my research to inform both scholarship and professional practice. My long-term goal is to continue working at the intersection of research and application, contributing insights that guide organizations in building communication systems that are both effective and sustainable.

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I hold a Master of Science degree in Communication from Clark University and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Visual and Performing Arts from Worcester State University. I am also a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Massachusetts.