Derek N. Mueller

Derek N. Mueller is a Professor of Rhetoric and Writing in the Department of English at Virginia Tech, where he also serves as a Faculty Associate in the Food Studies Program. He has held his professorship since 2021, following his promotion from Associate Professor (2018-2021). Prior to Virginia Tech, he was Associate Professor of Written Communication at Eastern Michigan University (2014-2018), where he also directed the First-year Writing Program (2013-2018).

Dr. Mueller earned his educational credentials from:

• PhD in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric from Syracuse University (2009)
• MA in English (Rhetoric and Writing) from University of Missouri-Kansas City (2000)
• BA in English (Literature and Writing) from Park University (1996)

Dr. Mueller's research focuses on the interplay among writing, rhetorics, and technologies. His scholarly work examines digital writing platforms, networked writing practices, theories of composing, and discipliniographies or field narratives related to writing studies/rhetoric and composition. He approaches these topics through the lenses of visual rhetorics, information design, and data visualization, creating methodologies for understanding how disciplines form, evolve, and sometimes dissipate.

His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of innovation in composition studies methodology. Early work established foundations in digital underlife and networked writing classrooms, while more recent scholarship explores visual rhetorics in administrative contexts, network visualization methods, and research methodologies for writers. A unifying thread throughout his work is the exploration of how writing practices and disciplinary formations can be understood through network analysis and visualization techniques. His research often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for writing instruction and program administration.

Dr. Mueller's scholarly contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• John Lovas Award for "an outstanding online project devoted largely to academic pursuits," Earth Wide Moth (2025)
• Computers & Composition Distinguished Book Award for Network Sense: Methods for Visualizing a Discipline (2018)
• CCCC Research Impact Award for Network Sense: Methods for Visualizing a Discipline (2019)
• Claude English Award for leadership, service, and professional achievement from Park University (2019)
• Catch the Spirit Award from Native Vision, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health (2016)

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Mueller has guided numerous graduate students through their academic journeys and research projects. His grant activity demonstrates significant investment in program development and innovation, including multiple Pathways Grants at Virginia Tech focused on digital literacies, composition program development, and online teaching initiatives. He has also secured funding for life skills workshops for Native youth and first-year writing program assessment initiatives.

Dr. Mueller maintains an active digital scholarly presence through Earth Wide Moth, his online platform for notes, reactions, and memory exploration. His creative work extends into visual arts through editorial illustrations for OnlyPoems and gallery exhibitions like "Out of Hollow Green Stuff Woven" at Roanoke College. He has also developed creative pedagogical tools like the Institutional Service Tarot Deck and Memory Masktch™ card game, demonstrating his commitment to innovative approaches to academic work and memory.