McMicken College of Arts & SciencesUniversity of Cincinnati

Omotayo O Banjo

Assistant Professor
Africana Studies - Affiliate Faculty
Communication - Tenure-Track Faculty
121-A McMicken Hall
513-556-2142
omotayo.banjo@uc.edu

Professional Summary

Omotayo Banjo, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Cincinnati, Department of Communication. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in English at Penn State University. She later received her PhD in Mass Communication, with an emphasis in Media Effects, from Penn State University.

Her research focuses on the relationship between media and identity, examining both  the representation of social identities, as well as the effects of social identification in entertainment media. Dr. Banjo's research emphasizes the influence of context on the creation of identities and our responses to these representations. Specifically, Dr. Banjo examines these dynamics  in identity-based media (e.g. ethnic entertainment).

She has presented her research at regional, national and international conferences which include the International Communication Association, National Communication Association, Association for Education  in Journalism & Mass Communication and the Collegium for African-American Research. She has also guest-lectured on diverse topics including race and the media, media and globalization, and implications of new media technologies across the country. Dr. Banjo teaches introductory-level courses, an upper level course on media theory and diversity issues, and a graduate course on entertainment.


Education

B.A., Penn State University, State College, PA, 2004 (Psychology).

PhD, Penn State University, State College, PA, 2009 (Mass Communication).

Research Interests

  • Media and Social Identity
  • Media Representation
  • Effects of Ethnic Entertainment

Research Support

Barrow’s Minority Scholarship, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). Date: 2008

GSIC Student Paper Award, Pennsylvania State University. Date: 2006

For us only?: Hostile media perception in the presence of a White audience, Africana Research Center. Date: 2006

(PI) Banjo, O, Provost’s Committee on Faculty Diversity. 9984. Date: 05-2010 Status: Active.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Banjo, O.  (2011) "What are You Laughing at? Examining predictors of Whites’ enjoyment of Black entertainment Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 55(2), 137-159.

Banjo, O. and Morant, K. (2011) A House Divided? Christian Music in Black and White. Journal of Media & Religion, 10, 3.

Oliver, M. B., Banjo, O., & Kim, J. (2003). Judging a movie by its cover: A content analysis of sexual portrayals on video rental jackets. Sexuality & Culture, 7(3), 38-56.

Banjo, O. (2002). The effects of media consumption on the perception of romantic relationships. Penn State McNair Journal, 9, 9-33.

Oh, D. & Banjo, O. (2012) Outsourcing postracialism: Voicing neoliberal multiculturalism in Outsourced. Communication Theory, 22(4), 449-470. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2885.2012.01414.x

Book Chapters

Sanders, M. & Banjo, O. (2013). Mass Media and African American identities: examining Black self-concept and intersectionality  (pp. 126-148). In D. Lasorsa & A. Rodriguez (Eds.) Media and Identity: New Agendas in Communication. New York: Routledge.

Electronic Journal Articles

Banjo, O.Hu, Y., and Sundar, S. (2008) Cell phone usage and social interaction with proximate others: Ringing in a theoretical model. The Open Communication Journal, 2, 127-135. [Electronic version].

Teaching and Resource Materials

Banjo, O. (2005). Personalizing your college education. In C. Glenn (Ed.), Making Sense: A Real-world Rhetorical Reader 2nd ed. (pg. 521). Boston: Bedford, Freeman & Worth.

Invited Presentations

Banjo, O (03-2009). Black humor: For mature audiences only” Black knowledge and the arts: Music, drama, and film. . Conference of the Collegium for African American Research, Bremen, Germany.

Banjo, O (03-2008). Third-person effects in Black entertainment. Issues of race in entertainment panel, . Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Pittsburgh, PA.

Banjo, O. (04/06/2013). Hip Hop , Ethnic Identification and Sexual Health. Cincinnati, OH, AARC.

Banjo, O. & Morant, K (04-2011). Stirring the Souls of Black Folk: ♂ Unpacking the Intersection of Spiritual and Social identity of Black Gospel Music Listeners. Conference of the Collegium for African American Research, Paris,France.

Morant, K & Banjo, O. (04-2011). Praising God in Black & White: An analysis of the rhetorical power of Contemporary Christian music and Black Gospel music. Eastern Communication Association, Washington D.C..

Banjo,O (04-2010). Personal to Me, Universal to You: Understanding White Audiences and Tyler Perry. Eastern Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.

Poster Presentations

Banjo, O,, Early, M., & Granger, E (03-2005). The effects of social identity on perceptions of racism in print news media.. Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication , San Antonio, TX.

Banjo, O. (11-2006). Are you in the family? Determining relationship investment by cell phone provider. . National Communication Association, San Antonio, TX.

Banjo, O & Morant, K. (06-2010). A house divided? Christian music in Black and White. International Communication Association, Singapore, Singapore.

Banjo, O., Early, M., & Granger, E. (03-2005). The effects of social identity on perceptions of racism in print news media. Penn State’s Graduate Exhibition, University Park, PA.

Banjo, O (05-2012). Why Can’t We Be Friends? Understanding Comedy and Cultural Competence. International Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ.

Colloquia

Banjo, O. (04-2011). The Dave Chappelle Effect:  Humor, Race, and Reception. Cincinnati, OH.

Paper Presentations

Banjo, O. For us only?: Hostile media perception in the presence of a White audience.. the International Communication Association,, Montreal, CAN. 05-2008.

Banjo, O, & Fraley, T. Portrayals of whiteness in Black films. . International Communication Association, , Montreal, CAN. 05-2008.

Tsay, M., & Banjo, O. . A true test of friendship: Testing the interpersonal nature of parasocial interactions. . International Communication Association, , San Francisco, CA. 05-2007.

Banjo, O., Hu, Y., & Sundar, S.. Cell phone usage and social interaction with proximate others: Ringing in a theoretical model. . International Communication Association, Dresden, Germany. 03-2006.

Banjo, O., Hu, Y., & Sundar, S. . Cell phone usage and social interaction with proximate others: Ringing in a theoretical model. Penn State’s Graduate Exhibition, University Park, PA. 03-2006.

Banjo, O., Early, M., & Granger, E.. The effects of social identity on perceptions of racism in print news media. Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication Midwinter Conference, Kennesaw, Georgia. 03-2005.

Banjo,O. What are you laughing at?: Understanding Whites’ enjoyment of Black entertainment. . International Communication Association, Singapore, Singapore. 06-2010.

Oh, D & Banjo, O.. Outsourcing postracialism: Voicing neoliberal multiculturalism in Outsourced.. National Communication Association, New Orleans, Louisanna. 11-2011.

Banjo, O & Morant Williams, K.. ) Behind the Music: Exploring Audiences’ Attitudes toward Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. International Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ. 05-2012.

Neuwirth, K. , Frederi, E. & Banjo, O.. Racial Identity, Racial Perceptions and Person Effects. Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research, Chicago, IL. 11-2011.

Banjo,O et.al.. Co-viewing effects of ethnic-oriented programming: An examination of in-group bias and racial comedy exposure. ICA, London, UK.

Symposia

Banjo,O (11/06/2011). Ethnic Entertainment, Audiences and Effects. Diversity Conference, Terre Haute, Indiana.

Courses Taught

15-COMM-326 INTRO TO MASS COMM.

COMM 448, Media & Identity.

COMM 225, Media Literacy.

15-COMM 638, Seminar Analysis in Media.

15-COMM-392 PROJECT IN COMMUNIC.

15-COMM-861 DIR PROBLEMS COMM.

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