UMass Boston

Interpersonal Communication 

PhD (Communication Studies), The University of Texas at Austin
MA (Communication), University of Rhode Island
BS (Communication and Rhetorical Studies), Syracuse University

• Donovan, E. E., Brown, L. E., LeFebvre, L., Tardif, S., & Love, B. (2015). "The uncertainty is what is driving me crazy": The tripartite model of uncertainty in the adolescent and young adult cancer context. Health Communication, 30, 702-713. doi:10.1080/10410236.2014.898193
• Donovan, E. E., LeFebvre, L., Tardif, S., Brown, L. E., & Love, B. (2014). Patterns of social support communicated in response to expressions of uncertainty in an online community of young adults with cancer. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 42, 432-455. doi:10.1080/00909882.2014.929725
• Mooney, C., & Zaitchik, S. (2012). Young adults’ recollections of parents’ memorable messages about weight. Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research.
• Love, B., Crook, B., Mooney, C., Zaitchik, S., Knapp, J., Lefebvre, L., Jones, B., Donovan-Kicken, E., Rechis, R., & Eargle, E. (2012). Exploring the communication of social support within online communities: a content analysis of messages posted to an adolescent/young adult cancer support group. Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
• Love, B., Mooney, C., Crook, B., Zaitchik, S., Knapp, Donovan-Kicken, E., & Eargle, E. (2012). “Thank goodness I have Planet Cancer”: An Initial Examination of Planet Cancer Usage. Advisory report for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
• McGlone, M., Bell, R., Zaitchik, S. & McGlynn, J. (2011). Don't let the flu catch you: Agency assignment in printed educational materials about the H1N1 influenza virus. Journal of Health Communication.

Sarah Tardif joined the faculty of the Communication Department at UMass Boston in the fall of 2014. She is an interpersonal communication scholar, and her research focuses on social support and uncertainty in the wake of big life changes, especially due to disruptive health conditions. Her most recent work has focused on couples experiencing infertility, and young adults with cancer. She teaches courses in Interpersonal Communication, Relational Communication, Persuasion, Professional Communication, and Public Speaking. Tardif is a born and bred New Englander, and is thrilled to be back home in Title Town.