Jessie Blackburn

Jessie Blackburn serves as a Professor in the Department of English at Appalachian State University, where she specializes in environmental, socio-political, and feminist rhetorics alongside Appalachian studies and rhetorics of transnational/comparative ruralities. Her role integrates teaching, research, and leadership in writing program administration, with a focus on digital literacy and rural community engagement.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in English from the University of Arkansas
• M.A. in English Education from Appalachian State University
• M.A. in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University
• B.A. in English from Brenau Women's College

Blackburn's research explores the intersection of place, identity, and discourse, particularly examining how digital spaces reshape rural Appalachian communities and feminist pedagogies. She investigates wine tourism's cultural commodification, energy justice communication, and pandemic-era writing program challenges, blending theoretical rigor with practical applications for educators in rural and satellite institutions. Her work consistently bridges composition studies with critical regionalism and digital humanities.

Analysis of her publications reveals evolving expertise from early digital rhetoric studies to current energy justice advocacy. Recent works demonstrate leadership in writing program administration during crises, while her Appalachian-focused scholarship examines terroir, rural ethos, and transnational rural identities. Collaborative projects with the U.S. Department of Energy highlight applied rhetoric in energy communication, showing her ability to translate academic research into policy-relevant frameworks.

Blackburn actively mentors emerging scholars through co-edited special issues and conference panels, though specific advisee names aren't publicly listed. Her Department of Energy workshops (2023-2024) suggest ongoing grant-related work in energy communication, though formal grant details aren't specified. She operates within scholarly communities rather than formal labs, evidenced by collaborations with Jacob Babb and Heidi Harris on composition studies initiatives.