Research Areas
Research Interests
- Interpersonal, Family, and Health Communication
- Uncertainty, Identity, and Communication Dilemmas
Research Description
I study how families and family members communicate about identity, uncertainty, and relational transitions, with a particular focus on marginalized and disenfranchised populations (e.g., LGBTQ+ families). I am especially interested in how these families navigate difficult or stigmatized conversations—such as those related to gender and sexuality or health disruptions. Within these contexts, I explore how identity and social stigma generate or sustain uncertainty, and how communication can function as a resource for managing that uncertainty and negotiating relational change.
Through my research, I hope to continue work that highlights voices of families and family members who are often socially erased or ignored.
Education
MA, Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BA, Communication and English Literature, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Awards and Honors
Illinois Distinguished Fellowship in the Humanities and Arts, University of Illinois Graduate College
President’s Research in Diversity Travel Award, University of Illinois System President’s Office (Spring 2023)
List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, University of Illinois, Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024)
Courses Taught
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Instructor of Record
- Communication 210: Public Communication in Everyday Life
- Communication 101: Public Speaking
Faculty Extender
- Communication 595: Stigma in Healthcare
Teaching Assistant
- Communication 102: Introduction to Communication
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Instructor of Record
- Communication 105: Business and Professional Communication
Additional Campus Affiliations
Assessing Safer Attorney Practices (ASAP) Volunteer Research Affiliate, MAKE IT Lab, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
External Links
Highlighted Publications
Gerlikovski, E., Unruh, M. A., Caughlin, J. P. (2025). Memorable messages and their role in shaping LGBTQ+ family dynamics and parental communication goals. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2025.2554994
Recent Publications
Caughlin, J., & Gerlikovski, E. (2023). Conflict in family communication. In Matthew Powers (Ed.), Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.1465
Cooke-Jackson, A., Rubinsky, V., Gunning, J., Gerlikovski, E., Holman. A., Manning, J., Nieto, B., Noland, C., Spieldenner, A., De Los Santos Upton, S., & Zelaya, C. (2024). Elaborating on ‘the talk’ in ‘sex talks’: An interdisciplinary exploration of the place of Communication Science in sexuality education and advocacy. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 19(4), 454–471. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2023.2256654
Thompson, C. M., Gerlikovski, E., Babu, S., McGuire, M., Robieson, I., & Ranallo, A. (2024). A longitudinal interview study of people with Long COVID: Uncertainties, liminality, and processes of becoming. Health Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2442684