John Davies

From College of Fine Arts and Communications

John Davies completed his undergraduate studies in sociology and psychology while attending the University of Alberta in his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. He then earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in mass communication from BYU and the University of Alabama, respectively.

After serving a full-time LDS mission to Japan, Davies returned to Japan to teach English, an experience that became an important stepping stone in his academic career.

In 2008, Davies joined the Department of Communications faculty at BYU and teaches classes on communications research and media processes and effects. He also researches why people use media and what effects media has on them. Specifically, he focuses on how people develop an affinity for characters in media. So far, he says he has found that “merely being exposed to a character increases liking.”

As a professor, his goal is to prepare his students for bigger and better things. He looks forward to seeing his students succeed and become the next generation scholars.

Davies and his wife, Christine, are the parents of three boys and two girls. They’ve been a Crimson Tide family for several years, Davies admits, but look forward to supporting the BYU Cougars.