About Me

Frances Forde Plude is internationally recognized as a pioneer, integrating communication research/practice into Theology. She has served as an invited member of the International Study Commission on Media, Religion and Culture, a small “think tank” meeting with scholars and practitioners in nations around the world. She is currently part of a small group consulting with the Vatican and the U.S. Catholic bishops on the integration of theology and contemporary global digital culture.

Dr. Plude has addressed international gatherings, contributed to research in communication/theology and collaborated with church leaders of diverse faiths in re-imagining what “being church” means in a digital culture.

Designated a Research Professor at Notre Dame College, Dr. Plude has a doctorate in public policy and telecommunications from Harvard University, with accompanying studies at MIT. She has done graduate work in theology and is a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA).

In addition to serving on the Notre Dame faculty, Dr. Plude has been a member of the faculties of Syracuse University, John Carroll University and Emerson College in Boston. She has been a guest lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Salamanca in Spain. While teaching in London she interviewed European Union telecom ministers — conducting research on collaboration.

The author of several books and numerous articles, Dr. Plude is co-editor of the Rowman and Littlefield book series on Communication, Culture and Religion. She edited a volume of essays written by women communicators from around the world.

Previous to her academic career, Dr. Plude was a television producer and on-camera host in the Boston TV market. She has served as a consultant to the U.S. Commerce Department, the U.S. Congress, and communication projects in India and Ukraine.