Brittnie Peck

Brittnie is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin- Superior in the Department of Communication, Media & Theatre. As a scholar and an educator she focuses on the intersection of interpersonal and health communication. Her research examines interpersonal and family relationships as a site of social influence for health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. In other words, she is interested in how communication between patients and health care providers, family members, and other close relational partners influences health outcomes such as decision-making, engaging in protective or risky health behaviors, information-seeking, and both short- and long-term health outcomes. Brittnie’s most recent research focuses on reducing cancer disparities by examining various relational, community, and environmental influences on women’s health. At UW-Superior she has developed several new courses inspired by this area of scholarship including Intro to Health Communication, Patient-Provider Communication, Military Communication, and Family & Marital Communication. Brittnie’s most important role is being “Mommy” to two beautiful tiny humans, Whalen and Evie. She tries to spend as much time as possible enjoying the Wisconsin outdoors with her husband, Jonathan, and their kiddos, going on adventures and creating memories together.

TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY

My teaching and learning philosophy centers on fostering an inclusive, student-driven environment that prioritizes critical inquiry and active engagement. I believe learning is a collaborative process, where students construct knowledge through dialogue, reflection, and real-world application. In the scholarship of teaching and learning, I emphasize evidence-based practices, continually assessing and refining my methods to enhance student outcomes. By integrating research and pedagogy, I aim to create transformative experiences that empower learners to become independent thinkers. This approach reflects my commitment to lifelong learning and the advancement of educational excellence. Incorporating SoTL into my teaching practices provides students with important opportunities to understand and appreciate the spirit of scientific inquiry and fosters a deeper understanding of their own learning experience.