Celebrating Prof Edson Tandoc’s ICA Fellowship and His Path to Recognition

In June 2025, Professor Edson Tandoc of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) was named a Fellow of the International Communication Association (ICA), one of the most prestigious honours in the field. With only 5.8% of ICA members holding this title, the fellowship recognises distinguished scholarly contributions to the communication discipline. Prof Edson’s path to this recognition has been shaped by a deep commitment to community, mentorship, and academic excellence.

Reflecting on his journey, Prof Edson credits his early involvement in ICA leadership as an important stepping stone. “I was first elected as Secretary of the Journalism Studies Division. Then, I was elected as Vice Chair and stepped up as Chair,” he shared. These leadership roles not only provided professional exposure but also deepened his engagement with the global community of communication scholars.

Growth Through Networks and Mentorship

To Prof Edson, ICA has always been more than just a professional association. It has been a vibrant network of learning, exchange, and personal growth. “I believe that we all grow with our communities,” he said. “I have been fortunate to have met many mentors and collaborators through ICA, and they have helped me in my development as a communication studies researcher.” He emphasised how ICA conferences have served as an important platform to discover new research and engage with diverse perspectives from around the world.

Being named an ICA Fellow, however, is not just a personal achievement. For Prof Edson, it is a dual honour: recognition and responsibility. “I’m grateful that ICA and its Fellows have appreciated the work I’ve been doing. But I also see this as a responsibility to contribute even more to our field, particularly in advocating for inclusion and diversity, and in representing our Asian community,” he said.

Prof Edson attributes much of his success to the culture of mentorship and support at WKWSCI. “I’ve never imagined being considered for the ICA Fellowship. But Prof May Lwin, Prof Jack Qiu, and Prof Ang Peng Hwa, all ICA Fellows themselves, believed in me and thought I was worthy of being nominated,” he said. “Prof Rich Ling and Prof Charles Salmon have also been very inspiring mentors since I joined WKWSCI. I am deeply thankful to all of them.”

Looking Ahead

Prof Edson plans to continue his research on the intersection of journalism and emerging technologies, as well as the growing threats of online disinformation and scams. “These issues are not just timely but also crucial to the health of our information ecosystem and public trust,” he noted. He also welcomes external collaborators interested in these topics to reach out.

As a scholar, mentor, and now ICA Fellow, Prof Edson C. Tandoc Jr continues to inspire both peers and students through his commitment to advancing communication with purpose, integrity, and community at heart.