January 2006

Resume of Susan G. Feinberg, Ph.D.

Department of Humanities
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, Illinois 60616

(312) 567-3471

Current Position

Tenured Full Professor of Communication and Director, Usability Testing and Evaluation Center. Previous Director, M.S. Program in Technical Communication & Information Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois

Career Synopsis

Began teaching English as an Assistant Professor at Lake Erie College, Painesville Ohio from 1964-1976. Received the Ph.D. in English from Kent State University, Ohio in 1973 and promoted to Associate Professor of English with tenure at Lake Erie College. In 1975 and 1976 received grants from The Cleveland Foundation to run two conferences about promoting women in the workplace.

In the fall of 1976 joined Purdue University as Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs in the Purdue Research Foundation and Lecturer in the Department of English, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. At Purdue consulted in technical communication for the Crane Naval Base, Crane, Indiana.

In 1980 joined the faculty at IIT and in 1983 received funding from STC for "The Delphi Project in Technical Communication." Received three grants from the Crawford Foundation to promote technical communication for the next five years. In 1985 developed and directed the Certificate program in Technical Communication, funded by the U.S. Department of Education as a "Model Reentry Program for Women in Technical Communication." Later, in 1993 promoted to Full Professor of English and created the MS in Technical Communication and Information Design in 1996. In 1998 added a Certificate program in Instructional Design and introduced a course in Research and Usability Testing.

In the 1998-1999 academic year took a sabbatical year at the University of Washington to do research in the Laboratory for Usability Testing and Evaluation, working with Professor Judy Ramey. Returned to IIT to develop a usability lab, receiving funding from the International Engineering Consortium. In all assisted more than 160 graduates from IIT's two certificate programs and 17 graduates with their MS degrees in Technical Communication & Information Design.

Professional Experience

Academic Background

Contributions to the Field of Technical Communication

Contributed to the growth of the field of technical communication through the educational programs created and directed for nearly 20 years; through the several hundred students advised and supervised in technical communications; through the publications presenting the findings from research projects in technical communication and related areas such as usability testing; through continuous service to STC on both the local and national levels; and through consulting activities.

Consulting experiences contributed to my research in the field of communications and to classroom teaching as I use materials and resources to inform my students about communication practice in the private and public sectors. My students have benefited from funding to support student research, from the types of documents I am able to share with them, and from my findings on the state-of-the art practices in government and industry.

Consulted in a variety of areas, including eight government agencies, seventeen educational institutions, twenty-one national and international companies, and four professional societies.

STC Participation and Activities

Society for Technical Communication (Member since 1981; Sr. Member 1986; Associate Fellow 1996; Fellow 2000)

President of the Chicago Chapter of STC in 1989. Member of the Chicago Chapter STC for almost twenty years; served as Technical Publications Manager for the Chicago Chapter competition (1981) as well as Second Vice President and Manager of the Competition and Awards Banquet (1987) and First Vice President and Program Manager for the monthly meetings (1988) . Speaker at several Chicago Chapter meetings, In September, 1995 she was a presenter at the Region IV Conference on where she spoke on Testing the CD-ROM Interface.

On the international level, elected Secretary of STC from 1990-1993. Served on the Goals Committee (1992, 1993); elected to the Nominating Committee (1982,1983) and joined the Strategic Planning Committee from 1989-1993. In 1985, received a research grant from STC to conduct a project on the design of a course in technical communication. The results of the research appeared in an article in Technical Communication. Two other publications have also appeared in the Journal and more than nine articles have appeared in the ITCC Proceedings. Most recently (May 1999) co-authored a Proceedings paper and presentation with Susan Andrews, a graduate student in the MS program in Technical Communication & Information Design at IIT, making her first appearance at an STC conference.

Over 50 graduates from the program in Technical Communication at IIT have become members of the Chicago Chapter of STC, several of whom have gone on to become chapter presidents and Sr. members of STC. Author of a textbook that received the STC Award of Achievement, COMPONENTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING, published by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc. 1989.

Other Professional Affiliations and Activities

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Associate Member; and member of IEEE Professional Communication Society (PCS). Traveled to South America with the 1990 IEEE Colloquium to make presentations in 4 countries; contributed 6 Proceedings articles and 2 journal articles. Served on IEEE Advisory Committee for the Transactions in Professional Communication

Council for Programs in Scientific and Technical Communication, Member.

Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, Member; contributed 1 journal article. Served on Nominating Committee. Reviewed manuscripts.

Advisory Council for College of Lake County, Illinois; Board Member and speaker at 4 Technical Communication Forums (1994-1998).

Honors and Awards

Publications and Presentations

Books, Book Chapters and Manuals Published

1. S. Feinberg, M. Murphy, J. Duda. "Applying Cognitive Load Learning Theory to the Design of Web-based Instruction," Content and Complexity: Information Design in Technical Communication. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003.
2. S. Feinberg (assisted by M. Pries), SETS Designer Kit User's Manual, Washington, D.C.: National Center for Health Statistics, August 1992.
3. S. Feinberg (assisted by M. Pries), SETS Quick Tour, Washington, D.C.: National Center for Health Statistics, July 1992. This user's manual documents a different computer program than the manual mentioned above, but it was packaged and distributed with the SETS Designer Kit User's Manual.
4. S. Feinberg et al, NCHS Presentation Graphics: A Cookbook Approach. Second edition, Washington, D.C.: National Center for Health Statistics, 1992. This manual is totally revised to accompany Version 3.0 of the Harvard Graphics computer program.
5. S. Feinberg, The User's Reference Manual for the Statistical Export and Tabulation System (SETS) and the on-line help screens. Electronically published on the National Health Interview Survey CD-ROM. Washington, D.C.: National Center for Health Statistics, 1990.
6. S. Feinberg, NCHS Presentation Graphics: A Cookbook Approach. Washington, D.C.: National Center for Health Statistics, 1989.
7. S. Feinberg, Components of Technical Writing, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1989.
8. S. Feinberg, K. Carmichael et al, Instructor's Manual for Components of Technical Writing, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1989. This manual accompanies the preceding text with additional explanations, examples, and exercises.
9. J. Brockmann, ed., S. Feinberg et al, associate ed. and contributing author, "Evaluating the Effect of the Case Method on Students' Attitudes Toward Technical Communication Skills," in The Case Method in Technical Communication: Theory and Models, Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, Fall, 1983.
10. S. Feinberg, contributing author, "Scientific and Medical Terminology," in Handbook of Clinical Engineering, B. Feinberg, ed., Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1980: I, pp. 211-269.
11. S. Feinberg, editor of monograph and author of Foreword and Introduction, Goodman Brown, Music by Harold Fink and Libretto by Edward J. Megroth, Painesville, Ohio: Lake Erie College Studies, 1968: 7.

Journal Publications

(Update pending)

1. S. Feinberg and L. Batson, "Game Designs that Enhance Motivation and Learning for Teenagers," Electronic Journal for the Integration of Technology in Education, 5, pp. 34-43, 2006.
2. S. Feinberg and L. Colpoys, "Top 10 Usability Recommendations for Statewide Websites," LStechie eJournal, February 2004.
3. S. Feinberg, "Developing and Testing an Intranet," Design Matters, 2:3, Winter 1998.
4. S. Feinberg, B. Mirel and L. Allmendinger, "Collaboration Between Writers and Graphic Designers in Documentation Projects," Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 9:3, July 1995.
5. S. Feinberg, B. Mirel and L. Allmendinger, "Designing Levels of Information for the Active Learner," Technical Communication, January 1991.
6. S. Feinberg and J. Goldman, "Content for a Course in Technical Communication: Results of a Survey," Technical Communication, 32:2, pp. 21-25, Second Quarter 1985.
7. S. Feinberg and I. Pritzker, "An MBA Communications Course Designed by Business Executives," The Journal of Business Communication, 22:4, pp. 75-83, Fall 1985.
8. S. Feinberg and J. Goldman, "Technical Writing Attitude Measurement and Instructional Goals," IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 27:3, 155-160, September 1984.
9. S. Feinberg and J. Goldman, "Technical Writing Attitude Measurement and Instructional Goals," IEEE Transactions on Education, August 1984.
10. S. Feinberg, "Visual Patterns: An Experiment with Technically Oriented Writers," Technical Communication, 31:1, First Quarter 1984.
11. S. Feinberg, "Anaclitic Love in John Updike's Novel, OF THE FARM," Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 4:3 & 4, pp. 163-168, Summer 1983.
12. S. Feinberg, "A Questionnaire to Evaluate Student Attitude Toward Technical Communication," The Technical Writing Teacher, 10:1, Fall 1983.
13. S. Feinberg, "Technical Writing: Theory and Practice," Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry, 2:12, pp. 38-44, March 1980.
14. S. Feinberg, "Evaluation of Business Communication Techniques," The Journal of Business Communication, 17:4, pp. 43-50, Summer 1980.
15. S. Feinberg, "Feedback on Format Improves Technical Writing," Engineering Education, pp. 339-342, January 1979.
16. S. Feinberg, "A Jungian Interpretation of Whitman's OUT OF THE CRADLE ENDLESSLY ROCKING," The Explicator, 37:1, pp. 35-36, Fall 1978.
17. S. Feinberg, "Edward Lewis Wallant: THE PAWNBROKER," Lake Erie College Alumnae Bulletin, pp. 8-10, November 1965.

Conference Proceedings

1. S. Feinberg and Laura Batson, "Managing Collaboration: Adding Communication & Documentation Environment (CDE) to a Product Development Cycle," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Limerick, Ireland, July 2005.
2. S. Feinberg, "Why Do Academic Programs in Usability Testing Matter?" Proceedings of the 51st International Technical Communication Conference, Seattle, WA, May 2005.
3. S. Feinberg, "A Model for Managing Communication and Documentation," Council for Programs in Scientific and Technical Communication, West Lafayette, IN, October 2004.
4. S. Feinberg and Lia Quilico, "Educational Web Sites and Teenage Users," Proceedings of the 50th International Technical Communication Conference, Dallas, TX, May 2003.
5. S. Feinberg and Lia Quilico, "Using On-Line Games to Self-test Web-based Instruction," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Portland, Oregon, September 2002.
6. S. Feinberg and S. Andrews , "Developing and Implementing Effective Web-based Surveys," Proceedings of the 45rd International Technical Communication Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 1999.
7. S. Feinberg, "A Methodology for Developing and Testing an Intranet Site," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Quebec, Canada, September 1998.
8. S. Feinberg and P. Johnson, "Designing and Developing Surveys on World Wide Web Sites," Proceedings of the ACM Annual International Conference on Document Design, Quebec, Canada, September 1998.
9. S. Feinberg, "Designing Customer Satisfaction Surveys for the World Wide Web," Proceedings of the 43rd International Technical Communication Conference, Toronto, Canada, May 1997.
10. S. Feinberg, "User-Testing CD-ROM Interfaces," Proceedings of the 42nd International Technical Communication Conference, Seattle, WA, May 1996.
11. S. Feinberg, "Prototyping Improves Interfaces on a CD-ROM," Proceedings of Region 4 STC Conference, October 1995.
12. S. Feinberg, "Teamwork in Communication: Harnessing Industrial Productivity," Proceedings of the 41st International Technical Communication Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 1994.
13. S. Feinberg, "Optimizing Productivity Using Collaborative Teams," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Banff, Canada, September 1994.
14. S. Feinberg, "Planning to Use a CD-ROM: Novice Users," Proceedings of the 40th International Technical Communication Conference, Dallas, TX, June 1993.
15. S. Feinberg, "Solutions for Training the Professional When Money Is Tight," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Philadelphia, October 1993.
16. S. Feinberg, "Using CD-ROM For Health Care Information Retrieval," Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Paris, France, November 1992.
17. S. Feinberg and P. Beattie, "User Interfaces for New Technologies: First Versus Second Generation," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 1992.
18. S. Feinberg, "Developing the User Interface for the CD-ROM," Proceedings of the 1991 Public Health Conference on Records and Statistics, Washington, D.C., December 1991.
19. S. Feinberg, "Expanding Technologies for Technical Communication," Proceedings of the IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, Orlando, FL., November 1991.
20. S. Feinberg, "Helping the User Retrieve Data from CD-ROM," Proceedings of the ACM Ninth Annual International Conference on Systems Documentation, Chicago, IL, October 1991.
21. S. Feinberg, "Using Computer Generated Graphics to Make Engineering Documents and Presentations More Effective," Proceedings of the 1990 IEEE Colloquium in South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay), September 1990.
22. S. Feinberg, B. Mirel, L. Allmendinger et al, "Designing Levels of Information for User Manuals," Proceedings of the 36th International Technical Communication Conference, Chicago, IL, pp. 170-172, May 1989.
23. S. Feinberg, "Collaboration or Coordination?" Proceedings of the Council for Programs in Technical and Professional Communication, Summer 1988.
24. S. Feinberg, "Providing Training for Engineers and Scientists," Proceedings of the 35th International Technical Communication Conference, pp. 19-20, May 1988.
25. S. Feinberg, "Training in Writing for Diverse Audiences," Proceedings of the American Business Communication Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 1987.
26. S. Feinberg, "Collaboration--Becoming a Team Player," Proceedings of the 34th International Technical Communication Conference, pp. 82-84, May, 1987.
27. S. Feinberg, "Measuring Writing Anxiety and Writing Performance in Engineering and Technical Communication Classes," Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education, Vol. 3, pp. 843-844, June 1982.
28. S. Feinberg, "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Case Method Instruction in Technical Communication," Technical Communication: Perspectives for the Eighties, (NASA Technical Publication 2203), pp. 85-93, 1981.
29. S. Feinberg, "Research in Technical Written Communication," Technical Report, Department of Humanities, University of Michigan, pp. 9-14, April 1979.
30. S. Feinberg, "Closing the Loop in Technical Written Communication," Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Engineering in Medicine and Biology, p. 278, November, 1977.

Other Presentations

1. S. Feinberg and Lisa Colpoys, "Top 10 Usability Recommendations for Statewide Websites". This webcast summarizes the article on Usability Issues in Content Development. The webcast was held on October 2003. This top 10 list is based on user studies performed by Dr. Susan Feinberg and the Usability Testing and Evaluation Center (UTEC) at IIT.
2. With Judy Ramey, "A Protocol for Estimating Tasks and Time in Usability Tests," IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, New Orleans, LA, September 1999.
3. Invited speaker for University of Washington, Department of Technical Communication, "Building Consensus to Design an Intranet Site," Seattle, Washington, January 1999.
4. Invited speaker for University of Washington, Laboratory for Human Interface Technologies, Using the Delphi Technique to Build Consensus," Seattle, Washington, March 1999.
5. Invited speaker for College of Lake County Forum: "Designing Customer Satisfaction Surveys for the WWW," April, 1997.
6. Invited speaker for College of Lake County Forum: "How Usability Testing Contributes to Interface Design," April, 1996.
7. Invited speaker for College of Lake County Forum: "Future of Technology in Technical Communication," November, 1994.
8. S. Feinberg, "Designing Clinical Engineering Documents: An Introduction to Computer-Generated Graphics," presentation at the International Workshop: Clinical Engineering, Weimar, Germany, May, 1990.
9. "A Methodology for Measuring the Effects of Training," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Chicago, IL, March, 1990.
10. Colloquia on Evaluating Programs in Technical Communication, Council for Programs in Technical and Professional Communication, Rochester, NY, October, 1989.
11. "Partnerships Between Industry and Academia," International Technical Communication Conference, Chicago, May, 1989.
12. "A Methodology for Collaborating in the Classroom," Conference on College Composition and Communication, St. Louis MO, March, 1988.
13. Invited Speaker: "What Is Technical Writing?" Women in Communications, Inc. Chicago Chapter, Northwestern University, 1987, 1988.
14. "Collaboration or Coordination," Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication, Orlando FL, October, 1987.
15. "Writing in the Government," Conference on College Composition and Communication, New Orleans, March, 1986.
16. Keynote Speaker: "Reentry Program for Women in Technical Communication," Illinois Association for Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors, Oak Brook, IL, December, 1985.
17. Keynote Speaker: "Planning a Program in Technical Writing," Southern Technical Institute Two-Day Seminar for Teachers of Technical Writing, Atlanta GA, June, 1985.
18. Invited Speaker: "Research on Writing in the Microcomputer Lab," Millikin University, Decatur, IL, 1985.
19. "The Microcomputer Lab as a Writing Workshop," American Society for Engineering Education, Atlanta GA, June, 1985.
20. "Writer's Workbench and Other Evaluations of Technical Documents," International Technical Communication Conference, Houston TX, May, 1985.
21. "Using Text-Analysis Software Programs to Improve Government Documents," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Minneapolis MN, March, 1985.
22. "A Model for a Technical Communications Course," National Council of Teachers of English, Clearwater FL, January, 1985.
23. "The Delphi Project in Technical Communication," International Technical Communication Conference, May, 1984.
24. "Technical Writing and Computer Applications: The Writer's Workbench," American Society for Engineering Education, Salt Lake City, UT, June, 1984.
25. "Designing Technical Communication Courses: Research and Computer Applications," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Denver, March, 1984.
26. "Designing a Course Model in Business Communication: The Delphi Technique," American Business Communication Association International Convention, New York, November, 1983.
27. "Audience and Conventions in Writing," National Council of Teachers of English, Denver, November, 1983.
28. "New Trends in Technical Communications," American Society for Engineering Education, Rochester, NY, June, 1983.
29. "The Delphi Technique in Technical Communication," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Detroit, MI, March, 1983.
30. "Research on Writing Apprehension in Technical Writing," American Business Communication Association, New Orleans, October, 1982.
31. "Recent Research on Writer's Apprehension and Writer's Performance," International Technical Communication Conference, Boston, May, 1982.
32. "Techniques in Advanced Technical Communication," Assistant Chair, 28th Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Francisco, March, 1982.
33. "A Research Method for Evaluating Writer Attitude and Apprehension," American Business Communication Association, Midwest Regional Conference, Champaign, IL, April, 1981.
34. "An Evaluation of the Effect of Cases on Technical Writing," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Dallas, TX, March, 1981.
35. Invited Speaker: "Document Design," Colloquium, Institute of Science and Technical Communicators, London, England, February, 1981.
36. "Research Design in Business Communication," American Business Communication Association, Midwest Regional Conference, Valparaiso, IN, April, 1980.
37. "Assessing Business Communication Techniques," Conference on College Composition and Communication, Washington, D.C., March, 1980.
38. "Literature Projects and the Review Process," Midwest Modern Language Association, Indianapolis, November, 1979.
39. "Evaluating Composition," Ministry of Education and Culture, Jerusalem, Israel, August, 1979.
40. "Developing Critical Communication Skills," Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, Las Vegas, May, 1979.
41. "Funding Opportunities for Women," Modern Language Association, New York, December, 1978.
42. "Foundation Support for the Humanities," Midwest Modern Language Association, November, 1978.
43. "Writing Proposals for Government Agencies," Annual Conference for Engineering in Medicine and Biology, Los Angeles, November, 1978.
44. "Fellowships and Programs for the Humanities," Midwest Modern Language Association, Chicago, October, 1977.
45. "The King Must Die, Long Live the Queen," Convocation Presentation, Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio, 1970.
46. "The American Heroine," Convocation Presentation, Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio, 1967.

Consulting Activities: Dr. Susan Feinberg

Consultant in Usability and Professional and Technical Writing to federal and state agencies, professional societies, educational institutions, and industries including

• Abbott Labs
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Bank of America
• BP/Amoco
• Cook County Board of Voting Commissioners
• Coopers & Lybrand
• Crane Naval Base
• Educational Testing Service
• Great Lakes Naval Base
• Ibbotson Financial
• IIT Research Institute
• Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Technology Center for Law in the Public Interest
• Information Resources Inc.
• Institute of Gas Technology
• Microsoft
• Motorola
• Moveo Integrated Branding
• National Center for Health Statistics
• Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America
• Peggy Notebaert Museum Nature Museum
• Quaker Oats Co.
• Rockwell International
• Tegic Communication
• The Chicago Tribune
• Thompson, Raymo, Woolrich
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control,
• West Monroe Partners
• Whitmann-Hart
• Wilson Sporting Goods Co.