Josh Compton
Professor
Appointments
Professor of Speech
Chair, Speech at Dartmouth Steering Committee
Area of Expertise
inoculation theory,
resistance to influence,
persuasion,
image repair,
public speaking,
speechwriting
Biography
Josh Compton, Professor of Speech at Dartmouth College, has published more than 100 scholarly publications, many exploring inoculation theory's adaptability in unexpected places. His work has examined topics as varied as nicotine vaping and conspiracy messaging, Stephen King adaptations, loyalty among struggling hockey teams, and communication about stochastic terrorism. Alongside more traditional studies in health, politics, and education, this breadth highlights inoculation's wide reach and ongoing relevance. His research has sparked dialogue with audiences from NATO officials to medievalists, and he continues to welcome collaboration, treating inoculation as an open and evolving conversation across fields.
Education
Ph.D. University of Oklahoma
Taught Courses
Publications
Ivanov, B., Parker, K. A., & Compton, J. (Eds.). (2026). The handbook of inoculation theory and practice. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372
Compton, J. (in press). Inoculation-based approaches. In R. Imhoff & K. Nera (Eds.), Handbook on the psychology of conspiracy theories. De Gruyter.
Compton, J. (in press). Social influence and persuasion for nurturing inclusive communities: Plausible communication paths for greater inclusion. In K. A. Parker, B. Ivanov, & J. D. Sims (Eds.), Navigating complex social challenges: The role of communication. Wiley.
Compton, J. (2026). Threat. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 29–41). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch2
Compton, J. (2026). Inoculation theory, family, and interpersonal relationships. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 333–343). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch24
Compton, J. (2026). Additional issues and topics in inoculation theory research. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 447–460). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch33
Compton, J. (2026). Inoculation theory and agromedicine. Journal of Agromedicine, 1–2. [Editorial] https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2026.2692469
Compton, J., & Reilly, P. (2026). Inoculation theory and legal communication. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 371–383). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch27
Ivanov, B., Parker, K. A., & Compton, J. (2026). Introduction to inoculation theory and strategy. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 1–12). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch0
Ivanov, B., Parker, K. A., & Compton, J. (2026). Conclusion: Lessons learned and the future of inoculation theory, research, and strategy. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 461–481). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.oth
Lin, W. W., Compton, J., & Ivanov, B. (2026). Inoculation theory and politics. In B. Ivanov, K. A. Parker, & J. Compton (Eds.), The handbook of inoculation theory and practice (pp. 265–278). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394199372.ch19
Samoilenko, S. A., & Compton, J. (2025). Character assassination, deepfakes, and inoculation strategies: Implications for strategic communication. In S. A. Bowen & E. Erzikova (Eds.), Handbook of innovations in strategic communication (pp. 381–397). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035326488.00045
Compton, J. (2025). Inoculation approaches to science misinformation correction. In K. Wright (Ed.), Communication and misinformation: Crisis events in the age of social media (pp. 180–195). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394184972.ch12
Compton, J., & Braddock, K. (2025). Inoculation theory and conspiracy, radicalization, and violent extremism. In S. A. Samoilenko & S. Simmons (Eds.), The handbook of political and social conflict (pp. 405–413). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119895534.ch36
Compton, J., & van der Linden, S. (2026). The role of humor in inoculation theory. Behavioral Sciences, 16(4), 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502
Jones, D. N., Beekun, R., Schermer, J. A., MacDonald, K. B., & Compton, J. (2026). Inoculating against moral disengagement creates ethical adherence for narcissism. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 52(4), 759–776. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241276562
Compton, J. (2025). Inoculation theory. Review of Communication, 25(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2024.2370373
Compton, J. (2025). Image repair of fake news: The Washington Elm in Cambridge, Massachusetts. STAM Journal, 55, 1–21. https://speechandtheatremo.org/journal-archive/
Appel, R. E., Roozenbeek, J., Rayburn-Reeves, R., Basol, M., Corbin, J., Compton, J., & van der Linden, S. (2025). Psychological inoculation improves resilience to and reduces willingness to share vaccine misinformation. Scientific Reports, 15, 29830. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09462-5
Capewell, G., Maertens, R., Remshard, M., van der Linden, S., Compton, J., Lewandowsky, S., & Roozenbeek, J. (2024). Misinformation interventions decay rapidly without an immediate posttest. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 54(8), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.13049
Compton, J. (2022). Dysfluent. Journal of Magazine Media, 22(1–2), 13–14. [Essay] https://doi.org/10.1353/jmm.2021.0026
Speaking Engagements
Making noises, sometimes joyful: Perspectives on nonspeaking, autism, and church inclusion. Old South Church. June 14, 2026.
A professor, a doctor, and a stutterer walk into a ballroom: Heard this one before? [keynote speaker] Academic Honors Dinner, Dartmouth College. May 6, 2026.
The truth can be stuttered: Rethinking what it means to be a good speaker. [Inaugural keynote speaker] Undergraduate Advisor Training for Residence Life. Dartmouth College. September 3, 2024.
A vaccine for public speaking anxiety? Fall Family Weekend. Dartmouth College. September 30, 2023.
Inoculation theory and climate communication. Dartmouth Symposium on Climate, Energy and Society. Irving Institute, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA, October 19, 2022.
Contact
Selected Presentations
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Title slide from "Inoculation Theory & Original Antigenic Sin," presented at the National Communication Association's 111th Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado, November 2025.
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Title slide from "Emergence in Brief: Health Postcards, Vaccination, & Inoculation Theory," presented at the Eastern Communication Association convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2026.
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Title slide from "Inoculating With and Against What Comes Next," presented at the Yale Jackson AI Policy Forum, Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, New Haven, Connecticut, October 15, 2026.