Heidi Y. Lawrence

Heidi Y. Lawrence is an Assistant Professor at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University, specializing in Rhetoric of Health and Medicine and Professional and Technical Writing. Her research explores vaccine controversies, medical humanities, and public science communication.

• Education:
  • PhD in Rhetoric and Writing, Virginia Tech (2013)
  • MA in English (Professional Writing and Rhetoric), George Mason University (2007)
  • BA in English, Mary Washington College (2002)

Lawrence’s work bridges rhetorical theory with health policy, examining how physicians, public health officials, and researchers shape vaccine debates. She also investigates campus sexual assault narratives and professional writing pedagogy.

Recent publications focus on health communication (2021), vaccine hesitancy (2020), and medical ethics (2018). Her monograph Vaccine Rhetorics (2020) analyzes parental vaccine beliefs and public health discourse.

Scientific Awards:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DRIG) (2019)

Lawrence has supervised 11 doctoral dissertations on topics ranging from workplace lactation to race in women’s healthcare, and secured multiple research grants for projects in health communication and campus sexual assault.