W. Timothy Coombs holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University in Issues Management and Public Affairs and is an Associate Professor in the Communication Studies Department at Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Coombs has been involved in the teaching and practice of public relations for over 20 years. His primary research area is crisis research with a focus on the development and testing of the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). His crisis research was awarded the 2002 Jackson, Jackson, and Wagner Behavioral Research Prize from the Public Relations Society of America. His book, On Going Crisis Communication, won the PRIDE Award for Best Book in 2000. He has also won a PRIDE Award for Best Article in 2002. He has published articles in Management Communication Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Business Communication, Journal of Public Affairs, Public Relations Review, and Communication Studies. He has given public relations-related presentations to a variety of professional and academic groups throughout the United States. Dr. Coombs has also lectured on public relations-related topics in Australia, Austria, Egypt, Norway, and the United Kingdom.