Gesa Kirsch

Gesa E. Kirsch is a Professor of Rhetoric and Composition at Soka University of America, where she leads research and pedagogy focused on feminist rhetorical studies, archival methodologies, and ethics. She holds a PhD from the University of California, San Diego, and has held academic leadership roles, including Director of the Valente Center for the Arts & Sciences at Bentley University and visiting professorships at institutions like the University of Louisville and Syracuse University.

Her research integrates feminist theory with innovative approaches to archival work, emphasizing ethical engagement and decolonizing practices. Key projects include Unsettling Archival Research (2023) and Feminist Rhetorical Practices (2012), which explore methodological frameworks and the role of rhetoric in social justice. She has authored or edited over 30 books and 70+ scholarly articles, addressing topics like women in STEM, environmental rhetoric, and the ethics of representation.

Kirsch’s awards include the CCCC Outstanding Book Award (2024) and the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend (2017). She has served as guest editor for special issues like Unsettling the Archives in Across the Disciplines and has collaborated on digital humanities projects visualizing women’s historical networks. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical applications, advocating for socially responsible scholarship.