Dr. Joshua-Paul Miles, Ph.D.

Dr. Joshua-Paul Miles, Ph.D. is the founder and director of the Miles Group for Communication and Networks at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. An Assistant Professor of Communication, Dr. Miles investigates how organizations—such as nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies—collaborate within interorganizational networks to address complex social challenges. His research focuses on network governance, leadership, and the role of technology in shaping collaboration and decision-making.

Using a mixed-methods approach that combines computational analysis and qualitative techniques, Dr. Miles examines how networks are designed, adapt to emerging challenges, and achieve meaningful impact. His work has been published in leading journals, including Management Communication Quarterly, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, and Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. Committed to bridging research and practice, he provides insights that enhance network effectiveness, resilience, and innovation.

Dr. Miles is a member of several professional organizations, including the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), the National Communication Association (NCA), the International Communication Association (ICA), and the Academy of Management. He earned his Master’s and Ph.D. in Media, Technology, and Society from Northwestern University and continues to advance interdisciplinary research that strengthens communication, networks, and cross-sector collaboration. Through the Miles Group, he fosters research that not only advances theory but also equips organizations with strategies to drive sustainable change.