More About the Author
Deni Elliott holds the Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy and is full professor in the Department of Journalism at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. She serves as campus Ombuds, member of the USF Social and Behavioral IRB, and Director of Graduate Studies for her department. She is also the Ethics Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Dr. Elliott has written extensively on the important relationships among public officials, journalists and citizens in the development and promotion of democracies. She has participated in an NGO effort to help representatives from 16 West African countries deliberate on the role of the press in emerging democracies, and has hosted a radio show for public radio stations designed to encourage citizens to recognize their power in the political process and become more active players in the democratic process. Along with her University teaching, her current work includes working with public officials to maintain ethical political process within a context of open government.
Prior appointments: Mansfield Professor of Ethics and Public Affairs (1992-1996), University Professor of Ethics (1996-2004), Professor of Philosophy (1992-2004), and Founding Director, Practical Ethics Center (1996-2004) at the University of Montana; Founding Director, Ethics Institute (1988-1992), Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Associate Research Professor, Department of Education at Dartmouth College (1990-92); Assistant Professor (1985-87), Associate Professor with tenure (;1988-92). Department of Mass Communication, Utah State University.
Dr. Elliott's publications have spanned the disciplines of practical ethics. She is the author of more than 150 articles and book chapters for the scholarly, trade and lay press. Her authored, co-authored, and edited books include Ethical Challenges (Authorhouse, 2008), Ethics in the First Person, A Guide to Teaching and Learning Practical Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007), The Kindness of Strangers, Philanthropy in Higher Education (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), Journalism Ethics: Contemporary Issues, (ABC-CLIO, 1998), Ethics of Scientific Research, A Guidebook for Course Development, (UPNE, 1997), and Research Ethics: A Reader, (UPNE, 1997). The Ethics of Asking: Dilemmas in Higher Education Fundraising, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 1996, and Responsible Journalism was published by SAGE in 1986. She has also produced three documentaries: The Burden of Knowledge, which considers the new moral questions created by pre-natal genetic testing. A Case of Need and Buying Time both focus on the role of news media in bringing about extraordinary medical care. All three documentaries are distributed by Fanlight Productions. From February, 2003-June, 2006, she hosted Ethically Speaking, a weekly 2-minute radio show syndicated through PRX (Public Radio Exchange).
Dr. Elliott holds a B.A. in Communication from University of Maryland, M.A. in Philosophy from Wayne State University and an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in Philosophy of Education from Harvard University with study at the Kennedy School of Government, Department of Philosophy, School of Education, and Harvard Law School.
