Nazra Izhar is a doctoral candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. With a master’s in Visual Communication and a bachelor’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from India, Nazra brings a rich blend of academic, professional, and cross-cultural experience to her work.

Nazra began her career in media as a reporter and host at Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster. She later spent over three years as an assistant professor in India, teaching and mentoring students while continuing her passion for communication. She also brings creative experience from her time as Editor-in-Chief of a campus tabloid and as a copywriter in advertising — roles that deepened her appreciation for storytelling and message design.

Fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu, Nazra’s research explores the intersection of digital media, health communication, and cross-cultural strategic messaging. Her dissertation examines how nonprofit organizations in India and the U.S. communicate about mental health on social media. Through a mixed-methods study combining content analysis with interviews, she looks at how cultural context and strategic choices affect public engagement.