Hi there,
Welcome, and thanks for your interest in my work. I consider myself a public-oriented academic, which basically means I think practice is fundamental to study–and that both benefit from community engagement
I’m Associate Professor of English and Director of Composition at Portland State University, where I teach courses in composition pedagogy, critical writing, and rhetorical theory. My work focuses on public discourse and community engagement, as I challenge myself and my students to become “local intellectuals” who contribute our academic strengths to the common good.
In my research, I examine how activist rhetoric circulates online to affect social change. In my classroom, students explore the interplay of literacy, identity, and power and develop strategies to engage ethically and effectively in the world around them. In my neighborhood, I advocate for orca conservation and help care for injured birds.
This portfolio highlights some of my work. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want more information or conversation.
~Kate