Ant Woodall

Ant Woodall is a Postdoctoral Teaching Associate (Research Fellow) in the Department of Communication Studies at Northeastern University, holding a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. They have previously taught at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, where they received multiple teaching awards for courses in public speaking, argumentation, and political communication.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Communication, University of Oklahoma
• M.A. in Communication and Media, Northeastern State University
• B.A. in Communication Studies, Northeastern State University

Woodall's research centers on political communication dynamics, specifically examining why individuals experience discomfort during political discussions and developing strategies to foster constructive dialogue. Their work increasingly addresses race in political communication pedagogy and public speaking education, emphasizing inclusive approaches to difficult public discourse. They advocate a 'civic coaching' teaching philosophy that encourages students to 'run towards difficult subjects.'

Recent publications reveal a strong focus on pedagogical innovation in political communication, particularly regarding race-conscious curriculum design and classroom discussion techniques. Their work appears in specialized journals like Argumentation & Advocacy and the Journal of Communication Pedagogy, alongside contributions to edited volumes such as the Routledge Handbook of Public Speaking Research and Theory.

Awards:

• Article of the Year Award from NCA’s Argumentation and Forensics Division
• Top Student Paper Award from Central States Communication Association
• Dodge Family Research Fellow (2023)
• H. Wayland Cummings Dissertation Proposal Award (2024)
• 3-Minute Thesis Finalist at University of Oklahoma

As an educator, Woodall has received outstanding teaching awards at both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, implementing experiential learning techniques that challenge students to engage with complex societal issues. Their research has been supported by competitive fellowships including the Dodge Family Research Fellowship, though specific grant details beyond named awards are not provided in the source material.