Imagining Change: Professor Elizabeth Lozano's Vision for Communication and Social Justice

In a world often constrained by routine and tradition, the power of imagination can be a catalyst for transformation. Professor Elizabeth Lozano, PhD, Program Director of Loyola University Chicago’s Communication Studies and Advocacy Programs, embodies this belief with a fervor that has now been recognized by the prestigious Adolfo Nicolás, S.J. Excellence Award. This honor, awarded to those who exemplify depth of thought and imaginative academic work, finds a natural recipient in Lozano—a scholar who not only believes in the transformative power of imagination but lives it. 

For Lozano, imagination isn’t a flight of fancy; it’s a critical tool in the fight for social justice. “If something is not working, if the problem is that something in place is not the best for most people, then we cannot repeat the same approach that has been used in the past; that requires imagination,” she said. This call to think differently underpins her entire approach to teaching, research, and activism within the field of communication. 

In the classroom, Lozano challenges her students to break free from conventional thinking. She encourages them to engage both their logical and intuitive sides, creating a learning environment where imagination is not just encouraged but nurtured.  

“Imagination is required when we have to do something differently,” she said.. “It’s about envisioning something that is not there but could be there.” Her students are not passive recipients of knowledge; they are seen as co-creators of new ways of thinking and acting, with the potential to shape the world around them. 

This imaginative approach is particularly vital in the realm of social justice, a cause close to Lozano’s heart. She firmly believes that true social change requires more than just awareness; it requires a willingness to reimagine the very structures that hold society together.  

“To practice social justice, we need to develop ‘communication imagination’,” Lozano said. “We must ask ourselves, what are the stories, the symbols, the ideas we use to justify the way things are done, even if they are unjust? And how could these things work differently?” 

Lozano’s belief in the power of narratives is central to her work. Narratives, she argues, can be both the tools of oppression and the instruments of liberation. She points to historical examples, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of Christian narratives to challenge societal norms, as evidence of how powerful stories can be in shaping social movements.  

“Narratives are always used to uphold a particular status quo, but they are also used to dismantle it,” she said. “Understanding how a narrative works allows us to create new ones that promote social justice.” 

But Lozano’s vision extends beyond theoretical musings. In her "gender and communication" engaged learning class, students both tutor at a non-profit and interview an activist or scholar in class.  Additionally, through partnerships with organizations like Girl Forward and Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA), she provides her students with hands-on opportunities to apply their learning in real-world contexts. These experiences, such as tutoring refugees and immigrants, offer students a chance to see the impact of their work firsthand. Many enter these experiences with skepticism, viewing them as mere requirements, only to discover a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Lozano recounts stories of students who, inspired by their work at non-profits serving refugees, have gone on to pursue careers in social justice and advocacy. 

 “Many start out thinking it’s just a class requirement, but soon they realize how much they’re learning and how meaningful the experience is” she said. 

Looking ahead, Lozano plans to deepen her integration of imagination in her curriculum by incorporating more interview elements and focusing on nonviolent communication. These tools, she believes, will empower students to become not just effective communicators but empathetic leaders capable of driving meaningful change. 

 “Violence is a lack of imagination,” she said, echoing a sentiment she hopes to instill in her students. By encouraging creative, nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, Lozano is preparing the next generation of changemakers to tackle the world’s challenges with both compassion and innovation.