Stephen Croucher, professor in the Clemson University Department of Communication, has been appointed director of the Social Media Listening Center (SMLC) ahead of the center’s premier event, Social Media Week Conference.
Croucher’s research focuses on organizational and intercultural communication. He has authored and co-authored more than 145 peer-reviewed journal articles and 15 books. He is a Fellow of the International Communication Association, serves as president of the World Communication Association and was recently named as one of the top 2% most-cited scientists in the world by Stanford University and Elsevier.
As director, Croucher said he looks forward to leading the SMLC’s research mission and developing new pathways for interdisciplinary research initiatives, social media curriculum development and industry and community partnerships.
“I am honored to step into the role as director and build on the SMLC’s strong foundation as a national leader in social media listening and analytics,” said Croucher. “The SMLC is equipped with innovative technology to identify and analyze emerging conversations, inform research and policy and ultimately support people and communities through real-world applications of social media listening data. I look forward to new collaborations, innovative research outputs and shared success as we set the standard for social media listening practices nationwide.”
In February, the SMLC will host its fourth annual Social Media Week, celebrating its first year as a conference that includes participants from Clemson University, as well as community and industry partners and students and colleagues from other area universities. The Social Media Week Conference will be held February 23-26, 2026, on Clemson’s campus. The event is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals, students, faculty and staff to network and gain valuable insights from leaders in the field. Guest speakers, panelists and moderators from national brands and organizations will share industry insights, brand strategies and best practices to engage and build trust in an increasingly digital world.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Croucher, the Social Media Listening Center will continue to serve as a critical resource for universities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, media outlets and state agencies throughout South Carolina and beyond,” said Deanna Sellnow, chair of the Department of Communication. “His knowledge, expertise and leadership will broaden the Center’s research scope, elevate the student experience and transform lives statewide and beyond through the meaningful use of social media listening technologies.”
The Social Media Week Conference will host speakers from brands including ESPN, Live Nation, Barstool Sports, Glow Recipe, Google, Hershey, Canva and more. For a full list of events, visit: https://bit.ly/49quBPV.
The Department of Communication is part of the University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS). Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.
