Candice Rai

Candice Rai is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Washington, serving as Faculty Coordinator for the UW in the High School dual-enrollment writing program. She holds a B.F.A. from Roosevelt University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research bridges rhetorical studies, urban justice, and material culture, focusing on how language and place intersect in public discourse and ethical action.

• Education: B.F.A. (Roosevelt U), M.A. (UIC), Ph.D. (UIC)

Her work explores critical place-based approaches to public rhetoric, urban development, and antiracist pedagogy. Recent projects include co-authoring Rhetorical Climatology (2023), analyzing institutional and environmental climates. She teaches courses on composition theory, urban justice, and equity-oriented writing pedagogy. Her program leadership includes directing UW’s Program in Writing and Rhetoric (2014–2021).

Research emphasizes community-engaged writing, rhetorical climatology, and spatial justice. She advocates for writing programs that center equity and accessibility, with publications on topics ranging from political discourse to environmental advocacy.