Leah Sprain

Associate Professor Leah Sprain of the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Communication focuses on democratic engagement through communication practices. As Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and a deliberative practitioner with the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation, her work bridges normative theory and practice in environmental communication, social movements, and small group dynamics.

• Ph.D. in Communication, University of Washington (2009)
• B.A. and B.F.A. in Communication, Pacific Lutheran University (2003)

Her research programs include:

• Climate change governance and community resilience
• Deliberative democracy and facilitation
• Discourse analysis in public participation
• Praxis-based environmental communication training

Recent publications (2024-2018) address:

• Deliberation in challenging speech cultures
• Critical race discourse analysis
• Speech code theory
• Climate math communication
• Expertise dynamics in forums
• Small story analysis

Scientific recognition includes:

• Provost's Faculty Achievement Award (2017)
• NCA Environmental Communication Division Awards (2015, 2010)
• NCA Language and Social Interaction Division Dissertation Award (2010)

Teaching areas include group interaction, discourse analysis, qualitative methods, and graduate research theory. International activities span Australia, China, Finland, Japan, and Central America.