James D. White

Dr. White’s research focused on the impact of communications on society. His recent books, including “Global Media: The Television Revolution in Asia” (Routledge: 2005), reflect research into the impact of new technologies and forms of communication on society. His other books include “Fear of Persecution: Global Human Rights, International Law and the Wellbeing of Refugees and Displaced Persons” (Lexington: 2007), an overview of essays related to human rights and refugees.

Dr. White’s life and work were dedicated to the pursuit of peace, justice and the promotion of human well-being.

Prior to his retirement on September 15, 2015, Dr. White was Director of Communications Studies in the Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), Senior Research Scientist in the School of Public Policy, and Senior Research Fellow at the CISTP, all at Georgia Institute of Technology. He was co-director of the policy initiative of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies at the CACP. He was also a Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong.

Before joining the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. White was Associate Director of Program in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, and of the Globalization Research Center at University of Hawaii.

Dr. White was born in St. Albans, United Kingdom and earned his B.A. in American Studies from the University of Manchester, in the UK. He earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii.

Before he came to the United States, Dr. White worked in Japan for 11 years, where he held various positions, including president of Dewe Rogerson, managing director of JDW Associates, and was a senior international consultant in public relations. Dr. White also worked in Thailand for several years, where he was an editor of a business magazine and a consultant for several publications. He also worked for the largest public relations agency in Southeast Asia at the time, as well as the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok.

His legacy remains his enduring commitment to open and transparent communications as a path for resolving conflict, violence, and war.

Dr. White’s greatest joy was his family and the many friends he had around the world.

He is beloved and survived by his wife of 21 years, Dr. Jianglan White; sons, Jonathan Z. White and Jerome B. White; brother and sister-in-law, Brian & Jill White; and sister, Josephine White. A memorial service will be Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 3 PM and the family will begin receiving friends at 2 PM, at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. In memory of James, your contributions may be made to the “Department of Political Science Foundation”, for the “James D. White Award” that is set up for The Best Graduate Student Paper on Global Politics and Alternative Futures to be presented at a professional conference. Address: Department of Political Science Foundation, University of Hawai'i-Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Saunders Hall 640, Honolulu, HI 96822.