Barbara J. Irwin Email & Phone Number

- I've recently co-authored a book entitled "Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children's Series" with Tony Buttino and Pam Johnson. Released in June, 2024, the book traces the origin and early history of the PBS reading motivation series and the important role that Buffalo and its public TV station, WNED-TV, played in this iconic show. But you don't have to take my word for it! ;-) We interviewed key members of the national production team, boots-on-the-ground librarians and educators, and host LeVar Burton, who has endorsed the book. Read their first-hand stories about those early days in the show's development. I'm sure you'll learn a few things about the show!- Expertise includes children's television, daytime serial drama, "behind-the-scenes"​ development and creation of television programming, the impact of the mass media on today's society, and the history of docudrama and reality-based programming.- Internationally recognized expert on Soap Operas. Best-selling author of two books about The Young and the Restless, (co-authored with Mary Cassata, PhD, University at Buffalo). Consultant to daytime television industry leaders. Director of Project Daytime, a comprehensive research endeavor focusing on the study and monitoring of the daytime television environment.

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  Professor

  Canisius College

  Aug 1991 - Aug 2023 - Department Of Communication

  Taught courses in Communication, specifically related to Media Studies/Mass Communication. Courses include: Media Literacy, Mass Communication & Society, Media Ethics, Media & Children, Broadcast Industries & Audiences, Public Broadcasting, Social Effects of Media, Issues in Broadcasting, Screenwriting. Internship Director for Strategic Communication/Communication Studies, Digital Media Arts, Journalism, and Integrated Marketing Communication majors at Canisius College. Teach related Internship Seminar course.