Erica Knotts

Erica Knotts is a Senior Instructor of Communication and Program Coordinator for the Conflict Management Certificate. In 2023, with McDermott et al., she co-edited the book “Women Educators’ Experiences During Covid-19: On The Front Lines.” She has also co-authored chapters including: “Defining the Line: Freedom of Speech and Online Dispute Resolution Best Practices for Higher Education” in Contemporary Trends in Conflict and Communication (2022) and a chapter in Mental Health Among Higher Education Faculty, Administrators, and Graduate Students: A Critical Perspective (2021). Knotts’ academic areas of interest include conflict management, negotiation, mediation, crisis communication, small group dynamics, and nonverbal communication. Knotts is also the co-creator and co-facilitator of SOU’s first-ever Student Ombuds program and the Co-Director of ACADEMY, a rigorous academic and leadership camp for middle school students. She received the SOU Raider Academy Award for Outstanding Faculty in 2019 and the SOU Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020. She is particularly curious about observing the art of face-to-face communication in real-world environments as she deploys practical and experiential learning in her classroom. You can learn more about Erica’s teaching style and values in the 2023 faculty spotlight podcast.