Jonathan Benda

Jonathan Benda is a Teaching Professor in the Department of English at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH). He specializes in intercultural rhetoric, globalization's impact on writing practices, and empowering multilingual learners. His research explores US-Taiwan relations and the rhetorical dimensions of cross-cultural exchange, drawing heavily from his 16-year experience in Taiwan before joining Northeastern in 2011.

Dr. Benda holds a PhD in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric from Syracuse University (2011). His teaching focuses on first-year writing, advanced writing in disciplinary contexts, and travel writing. He emphasizes leveraging students' multilingual and multicultural backgrounds as intellectual resources in academic and professional settings.

His research portfolio includes studies on Cold War-era US-Taiwan interactions, the role of archives in cultural diplomacy (e.g., Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association), and pedagogical strategies for global universities. Recent work engages superdiversity in higher education and the evolving dynamics of nationalism and identity in East Asia.

Benda's courses (ENGW 1102, ENGW 3315, ENGL 2695, ENGW 3304) reflect his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and experiential learning. He is affiliated with the Writing Program and the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures.