Meggie Mapes

Meggie Mapes is an Associate Specialist and Introductory Course Director in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas. She holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Political Communication from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Her research focuses on critical pedagogy, transgender rhetorics, abolitionist praxis, and the intersection of rhetoric with social justice issues. She is particularly known for integrating feminist and anti-retributive frameworks into communication education.

Her academic work spans topics such as public speaking advocacy, open access publishing, and the critique of institutional power structures. She emphasizes pedagogical approaches that center marginalized voices and foster critical consciousness. Mapes has published extensively on communication theory, including articles on nonverbal delivery, digital communication, and collaborative learning strategies.

Her recent publications highlight themes of resistance, survival narratives, and the ethical dimensions of communication in dystopian contexts. She actively critiques retributive justice systems and advocates for trans-affirming educational practices. Mapes’ teaching philosophy prioritizes student agency and the application of communication skills to real-world advocacy.