Biography
My research focuses on communication about and within romantic and sexual relationships. Currently, I'm a Gratitude Fellow funded by The Love Consortium for a project that investigates cross-cultural expressions of love and gratitude.
I utilize both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate my research questions. Primarily, I am interested in how people understand themselves within their interpersonal relationships and how technology mediates these experiences. For example, how do online spaces catalyze sensemaking about our relationships with close others? How do individuals communicate their sexual willingness through digital channels? I also use critical theory to research health disparities, inaccessibility, and disability.
Research Interests
mediated relationships, health communication, sex communication, interpersonal communication, critical theory, technology
Education
M.A., Communication, Baylor University
B.S., Business Analytics, Binghamton University
Grants
The Love Consortium, Graduate Student Research Grant, "A narrative analysis of expressions of love and gratitude in the United States, China, and Chile."
Awards and Honors
Donald P. Cushman Memorial Award (2024), National Communication Association
For the paper Disclosure-related social support and reappraisals as a result of sharing abortion experiences with close others.
Illinois Distinguished Fellowship, University of Illinois Graduate College
Courses Taught
Instructor of Record
CMN 111: Oral and Written Communication I
CMN 112: Oral and Written Communication II
CMN 210: Public Communication in Everyday Life
CMN 338: Relationships and Technologies
Faculty Extender
CMN 502: Health Communication Research Methods I
CMN 503: Health Communication Research Methods II
Additional Campus Affiliations
Illinois Writers Workshop
Highlighted Publications
Mendelson, E. A. (2024). Sensemaking and public intimacy on TikTok: How viral videos influence interpersonal relationships offline. New Media & Society, 26(12), 7081–7099. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231163231*
Recent Publications
Thompson, C. M., Bishop, M. J., Dillard, T. C., Maurice, J. M., Rollins, D. D., Pulido, M. D., Salas, M. J., Mendelson, E. A., Yan, J., Gerlikovski, E. R., Benevento, S. V., Zeinstra, C., & Kesavadas, T. (2025). Healing health care disparities: Development and pilot testing of a virtual reality implicit bias training module for physicians in the context of Black maternal health. Health Communication, 40(3), 445–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2347000
Smith, J. K., & Mendelson, E. A. (2024). Parasocial parenting, adoption, and monetization of the “internet parent” with the Griswolds on TikTok. International Journal of Cultural Studies, OnlineFirst. https://doi.org/10.1177/13678779241288619
Mendelson, E. A., & Smith, J. K. (2024). Mediated sexual and romantic learning on TikTok: The dating wrapped trend. Social Media + Society, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051241279255
Blog Posts on Sex and Psychology
Mendelson, E. (2025, January 22). The state of sex education in the USA in 2025. Sex and Psychology. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2025/1/22/the-state-of-sex-education-in-the-usa-in-2025/
Mendelson, E. (2024, December 18). The technological aspects of sexting. Sex and Psychology. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2024/12/18/the-technological-aspects-of-sexting/
Mendelson, E. (2024, November 13). The rise of sexual choking among young adults. Sex and Psychology. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2024/11/13/the-rise-of-sexual-choking-among-young-adults/
Mendelson, E. (2024, October 16). Can drugs and medications be transferred through semen? Sex and Psychology. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2024/10/16/can-drugs-and-medications-be-transferred-through-semen/
Mendelson, E. (2024, August 29). What do camsite users learn about sexual consent? Sex and Psychology. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2024/8/29/what-do-camsite-users-learn-about-sexual-consent/