MTSU faculty and staff representatives appeared by phone on WGNS Radio recently to share information about strategies to combat workplace bullying, a new National Science Foundation grant partnership and school reopening plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details were shared during the July 20 “Action Line” program with host Scott Walker. The live program was broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast of the show here.

From left, Dr. Jackie Gilbert, management professor in the Jones College of Business; Dr. Ryan Otter, biology professor and co-director of the MTSU Data Science Institute; and Dr. Katie Foss, professor of media studies in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, were interviewed by phone for the Monday, July 20, WGNS Radio “Action Line” program with host Scott Walker. (MTSU photo illustration by Jimmy Hart)

Guests, who were interviewed by telephone, and their topics included:

• Dr. Jackie Gilbert, management professor in the Jones College of Business, discussed strategies to combatting workplace bullying and why it continues to be a problem. Gilbert, who has done extensive research into bullying in the workplace, is the author of “How to Transform Workplace Bullies Into Allies,” a new book that includes exercises for supervisors and employees in private-sector businesses, universities and other institutions to use to increase their emotional intelligence.

• Dr. Ryan Otter, biology professor and co-director of the MTSU Data Science Institute, discusses MTSU’s partnership with two other state universities to secure a $250,000 National Science Foundation grant focused on regional workforce development and collaborative research in the tech sector. MTSU, through its Data Science Institute, along with Tennessee Tech Universityand the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, were awarded the grant to fund an 18-month initiative that began this month.

• Dr. Katie Foss, professor of media studies in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and plans to reopen schools this fall. Foss’ new book, “Constructing the Outbreak: Epidemics in Media and Collective Memory,” will be out later this year from the University of Massachusetts Press. It analyzes seven epidemics spanning more than 200 years and the various journalistic approaches to informing the public about them.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, director of news and media relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.