Joanna Wolfe

Joanna Wolfe is a Professor in the Department of English at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University. Her work bridges technical communication, equity, and engineering education, focusing on inclusive communication practices and writing in technical disciplines.

Education:

• Ph.D., English, University of Texas at Austin, 2001
• M.A., English, University of Texas at Austin, 1997
• B.A., English, University of Maryland at College Park, 1991

Her research centers on equity in communication, particularly how women and underrepresented minorities navigate power structures in male-dominated fields like engineering. She investigates technical writing, collaborative writing, and data communication, with a strong emphasis on applied, measurable outcomes in education and industry. Her work explores how technology shapes reading, writing, and teaching practices, especially in digital pedagogy and annotation systems.

The 15 most recent publications reveal a sustained focus on team communication, conflict resolution, scientific poster and slide design, and antiracist pedagogy. Her research combines empirical methods with rhetorical analysis to improve communication effectiveness and inclusivity in engineering and technical writing contexts.

Scientific Awards:

• National Council of Teachers of English Award
• American Association of Engineering Educators Award
• IEEE Professional Communication Society Award
• Association for Computing Machinery Award

Joanna Wolfe has secured significant recognition for her research, which has influenced both writing studies and engineering education. While no direct students are listed, her work has shaped curricula and pedagogical practices in technical communication. She has led research initiatives such as PGE/RES (Enhancing Women's Experiences with Teamwork) and GSE/RES (Uncovering Tacit Knowledge about Gender and Communication), which examine gender dynamics in technical teamwork. Her future work continues to explore evidence-based strategies for equitable collaboration and communication in STEM fields.

She is affiliated with interdisciplinary research teams focused on digital pedagogy, annotation technologies, and inclusive engineering education. Her lab-like initiatives involve developing and testing communication tools and frameworks for diverse teams, particularly in technical and academic settings.