Dr. Bates can provide impartial but keen understanding of what the candidates are truly saying in campaign ads and political debates. An expert on debate tactics and political communication, Bates also focuses his research on the public understanding of complex policy formation. Specifically, he investigates communication campaigns in the context of public and environmental health and public understanding of health and healing. Bates can also provide expertise about election advertising and the meaning behind candidates' messages.

Additionally, he investigates public understanding of medical genetics and biotechnological sciences and American and British foreign policy.

Bates has served as Chair for the Rhetoric and Public Address Interest Group and the Health Communication Interest Group of the Eastern Communication Association. He has taught and researched in Southeast Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Bates’s research, teaching, and service were recognized by the Eastern Communication Association with the Past Presidents’ Award and named him an ECA Distinguished Research Fellow. He was most recently named an ECA Distinguished Teaching Fellow.