David L. Steinberg

David Steinberg serves as Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies and Director of Debate at the University of Miami School of Communication since 1990. He teaches courses spanning Communication Theory, Persuasion, Political Communication, Public Speaking, and Argumentation and Debate, while leading nationally recognized debate teams that won Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha championships in 1996 and 2013.

Education

• Master’s Degree in Communication, University of Tennessee
• Postgraduate work in Communication Studies/Education/Human Resource Development, Pennsylvania State University
• Postgraduate work, Florida International University

Research Focus

Steinberg's scholarship centers on public sphere argumentation, political campaign rhetoric, debate pedagogy, and rhetorical criticism. As a nationally sought expert, he provides presidential debate analysis for major media including The Washington Post, WIRED, and Reuters.com, bridging academic theory with real-world political discourse.

Awards

• Robert and Christine Staub Faculty Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Effective Teaching (2013)

Mentorship & Leadership

He advises Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies Honorary and Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha National Forensics Honorary, while mentoring student-athletes through UM's program. His debate program's national championships reflect his coaching excellence, complemented by leadership roles as former President of the Cross Examination Debate Association.

Professional Engagement

Steinberg remains active in the American Forensic Association and National Communication Association, leveraging his textbook authorship and media commentary to shape debate pedagogy and political communication scholarship.