Karina Willes
Education
PhD, Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2018
MBA, University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, 1999
BBA, International Business and Language Studies, St. Norbert College, 1992
Work Experience
Karina works as a technology project manager within a national law firm.
Research Focus
Karina’s research investigates communication with an emphasis on LGBT issues, health communication, and technology using qualitative methodologies. She is currently exploring how verbal and nonverbal cues found in online physician video profiles can inform the physician selection process for LGBTQ patients.
Awards
2017 – Amelia Lucas Trust awardee, monetary award supporting dissertation research, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2016 – Top Student Paper, Communication Ethics, Activism, and Social Justice Interest Group, Central States Communication Association Convention, Grand Rapids, MI
2015 – Bill of Rights In Action Award, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Chicago, IL
2015 – Wisconsin’s Civil Libertarian of the Year, ACLU of Wisconsin
2014 – Lynford Lardner Community Service Award, Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, WI
2014 – Community Champion Award, LGBT Community Center, Milwaukee, WI
Recent Research, Presentations, and Publications
Willes, K. L. (2019, June 17). Creating healthy and productive conversations with LGBTQ Patients. Lecture presented during lunch and learn event sponsored by Froedtert’s LGBTQ Business Resource Group.
Willes, K. L., Jagiello, K., Allen, M., & Motel, L. (2019). No matter what: a qualitative analysis of how LGBTQ families and allies define family through an interactive art project. Journal of Family Communication, 19(3). 277-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2019.1632865
Willes, K. L. (2019). Lesbian patients using online profile videos to find doctors: a qualitative study of the influence of verbal and nonverbal cues in the physician selection process. Presented during the pre-conference entitled, “Difficult Conversations in Healthcare,” at the 69th Annual International Communication Association Conference, Washington, D.C., May 24.
Willes, K. L. (2018). Lesbian patients using online video profiles to find doctors: How cues inform the decision-making process (Order No. 10815757). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2050046703).
Willes, K. L., Jagiello, K., Motel, L., & Allen, M. (2018, April 7). LGBT families: Not different, but equal. Presented at the CSCA Annual Conference.
Willes, K. L., & Motel, L. (2017). Online physician video profiles: A thematic analysis of the information family practice physicians disclose. Presented at annual convention of the National Communication Association, Health Communication Division, Dallas, TX, November 16.
Willes, K. L. (2017). How patients find doctors: an information integration and uncertainty reduction approach to the effects of online physician profiles. Presented at the CSCA Annual Conference, March 16-18.
Willes, K. L. (2017). Suicide and Wisconsin’s LGBTQA community: What are the effects? Presented at the CSCA Annual Conference, March 16-18.
Willes, K. L. (2017). LGBTQ workplace issues. In M. Allen (Ed.), Business and Professional Communication (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Higher Education.
Willes, K. L. (2017). Data cleaning. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Willes, K. L. (2017). Sampling decisions. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Willes, K. L. (2017). Unobtrusive measures. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Nicolini, K. M., Victor, A. K., & Willes, K. L. (2016). Sustaining HIV Activism: Prioritizing self-care and inspiring innovative solutions. In Messner, B. A. (Chair), Top papers in communication ethics and freedom of expression: Ethical questions within forms of inquiry, activism, and argumentation. Presented at the CSCA Annual Conference on April 14, 2016. Top Student Paper, Communication Ethics, Activism, and Social Justice Interest Group.
Nicolini, K. M., Victor, A. K., & Willes, K. L. (2015). Developing an HIV activist identity: A narrative analysis. Paper presented at the OSCLG conference on October 3, 2015.
Willes, K. L. (2015, April 16). Assisted conception for lesbian couples: Barriers and progress. In Davidson, R. D. (Chair), Families, friends, lovers and others: Exploring heteronormativity (queer) interpersonal relationships. Paper presented at the CSCA Annual Convention. Madison, WI.
Willes, K. L., & Allen, M. (2014, April 3). The importance of sexual orientation disclosure to physicians for women who have sex with women. In Ahmet Atay (Chair), Examining sexual orientation disclosure and gender identity. Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association Convention, Minneapolis, MN.
Willes, K. L., & Allen, M. (2014, April). The importance of sexual orientation disclosure to physicians for women who have sex with women. In V. Harvey. & T. Heinz Housel (Eds.), Health Care Disparities and the LGBT Population. Lanham, CT: Lexington Books.
Media Highlights and Interviews
Sachs, J., & Delong, K. (2015, August 25). Another victory for same-sex couples in WI: birth certificate issued to couple including both parents. Retrieved from: http://fox6now.com/2015/08/25/another-big-victory-for-same-sex-couples-in-wisconsin-birth-certificate-issued-to-couple-includes-both-parents/.
Halsted, G. (2015, August 24). Same-sex parents prevail in birth certificate dispute. WPR. Retrieved from http://www.wpr.org/same-sex-parents-prevail-birth-certificate-dispute.
Gavino, Y. (2015, June 30). Same-sex couple fights to get both names on daughter’s birth certificate. TMJ4. Retrieved from: http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Same-sex-couple-fights-to-get-both-names-on-daughters-birth-certificate-310968641.html
Henzl, A. E. (2015, April 24). Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin lesbian couple fights for both names to be on child’s birth certificate. WUWM. Retrieved from: http://wuwm.com/post/wisconsin-lesbian-couple-fights-both-names-be-child-s-birth-certificate
Slater, T. (2015, April 23). Milwaukee, WI. Gay couple battles to get both names on child’s birth certificate. WISN. Retrieved from: http://www.wisn.com/news/gay-couple-battles-to-get-both-names-on-childs-birth-certificate/32520012.
The Wisconsin Gazette. (2015, April 21). ACLU goes back to court: wants to guarantee both parents in a same-sex couple must be listed on Wisconsin birth certificates. The Wisconsin Gazette. Retrieved from: http://www.wisconsingazette.com/wisconsin/aclu-goes-back-to-courtbreakwants-to-guarantee-both-parents-in-same-sex-couple-must-be-listed-on-wisconsin-birth-certificates.html.
Stein, J. (2015, April 20). Milwaukee, WI. Gay parents seek both names on children’s birth certificates. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/gay-parents-seek-both-names-on-childrens-birth-certificates-b99485111z1-300720011.html
Wheeler News Service. (2014, October 7). Madison, WI. Same-sex couples believe marriage ruling will ease adoption process. WTAQ. Retrieved from: http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2014/oct/07/same-sex-couples-believe-marriage-ruling-will-ease-adoption-process/.