Kathleen McElroy is a professor, Frank A. Bennack Jr. Chair in Journalism and co-director of the Center for Ethical Leadership in Media at the University of Texas at Austin. Before receiving her Ph.D. from UT-Austin, she held various positions at The New York Times, including associate managing editor, dining editor, deputy sports editor and deputy web editor. She previously worked for publications in New York and Texas. Her research interests include newsroom practices, obituaries and racial discourse.