John Duffy

John Duffy is a Professor of English and Faculty Director of the Inspired Leadership Initiative at the University of Notre Dame. He holds the William T. and Helen Kuhn Carey Professorship of Modern Communication (2022–2024). Duffy’s academic roles include leadership in the Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Notre Dame Initiative on Race and Resilience. He previously directed the University Writing Program and the University Writing Center. His research focuses on ethics in writing, rhetoric, cross-cultural literacy, and disability narratives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in English (Rhetoric and Composition), University of Wisconsin-Madison (2000)
• M.A. in Applied Linguistics, Teachers College, Columbia University (1982)
• M.A. in Anglo-Irish Studies, University College Dublin (1979)
• B.A. in English (magna cum laude), Boston College (1977)

Research Interests: Ethics of writing instruction, rhetoric, public discourse, disability rhetoric, historical literacy (e.g., Hmong communities), and civic engagement. His work critiques post-truth culture and emphasizes ethical pedagogy in writing classrooms.

Key Contributions: Authored/edited influential books like *Provocations of Virtue* (2019), *After Plato* (2020), and *Writing from These Roots* (2007). His research bridges ethics, rhetoric, and social justice, with notable publications on disability narratives and literacy campaigns.

Awards:

• 2022 Sheedy Excellence in Teaching Award (highest honor in College of Arts & Letters)
• 2009 CCCC Outstanding Book Award for *Writing from These Roots*
• NEH Fellowship (2003–2004)

Service & Outreach: Advises student groups (e.g., Bridge ND, SuperSibs), chairs academic committees, and engages in community initiatives like the South Bend Reparatory Justice Commission. His public writing addresses topics like racial justice, civic discourse, and the 1619 Project.