Dr. Robinson specializes in two subfields within the discipline of Communication. First, he specializes in language and social interaction, which examines the rules that guide interactants’ use and interpretation of language, and the role of talk-in-interaction in the construction and negotiation of social meanings, identities, and relationships. Second, he specializes in health communication, which examines how and why face-to-face communication (e.g., doctor-patient communication) affects aspects of healthcare and health promotion, including individuals’ physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual health. Dr. Robinson’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.