Research
To Err is Human...To Correct Is Devine
Research areas
Libel law
Drawing on archival research and scholarship in journalism, legal history, and African American studies, Edmondson offers a new narrative of brave activists, bold journalists and publishers, and hardheaded southern officials. She has brought to the forefront a previously little-known array of courtroom dramas at the intersection of race, libel, and journalism resulting from the activism and coverage of the 1960s and span much of the country's history.
Journalism History and Civil Rights
Edmondson focuses on mid-20th Century print journalism, specifically coverage of civil rights for people of color. Research has included coverage of the black press and issues relating to racial misidentification in the mainstream press. She studies the historical context of the long civil rights struggle in connection with current events, including the Black Lives Matter Movement and #metoo in the United States.
Freedom of Information
Our nation's democracy depends on the informed participation of residence in our government process. I research and advocate on behalf of our right to government transparency, monitoring federal and state government's laws, policies and procedure to ensure press and public access to meetings, proceedings and documents.
Book
In Sullivan’s Shadow: The Use and Abuse of Libel Law During the Long Civil Rights Struggle, University of Massachusetts Press, July 2019.
- Finalist, Frank Luther Mott/Kappa Tau Alpha Research Award for the best book on journalism and mass communication based on original research.
- Runner up, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication History Division Book Award.