I am currently working on my dissertation project seeking to answer the question: What language patterns can a leader exhibit to positively affect the relationship between leader and employee? This research utilizes rapport management theory, an extension of politeness theory, to develop patterns of politeness and test them against various outcomes including trust, justice, support, and leader-member exchange. One unique aspect of my dissertation project is that it incorporates an experimental research design, something that may be lacking in technical communication research (See an article authored by myself and Professor Matt Bauer).
My dissertation reflects my philosophy on research for the field of technical communication. I believe that technical communication researchers must do two things in order to expand and grow the field: 1) We must look to other disciplines for theoretical foundations, whether it be psychology or linguistics or some other field and 2) We must incorporate various research methods in order to make stronger, and more sustainable claims. The first recommendation involves using already supported theories, as opposed to creating new theories in the field. For example, visual design builds on gestalt psychology. We must build our field around these theories and expand knowledge through already created avenues. The second recommendation calls for a diversification of research methods. This, as mentioned above, is a major deficiency in technical communication research.
My teaching philosophy focuses on the integration of theory and practice. I believe that the field of Technical Communication must be rooted in theory, so that students can understand the content and design decisions that they make it every document that they create. My teaching background begins with an undergraduate degree in secondary education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. At the university level, I have taught technical communication, composition, editing, and other various interprofessional project courses.
Another interesting area of teaching that I have recently experienced is online education. Online education is a growing field and becoming more and more prevelant in many major universities. Although my primary focus is in the classroom, I also seek to discover innovative and pedogogically sound ways of teaching in the virtual classroom.
This section will be updated periodically and will include recent and/or future activities including conference presentations and journal articles.