Julia A. Spiker

Julia A. Spiker, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Communication at The University of Akron. Her research focuses on political communication, particularly the rhetoric of women leaders and the political empowerment of women and girls globally. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, an M.S. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a B.A. from John Carroll University.

Her research explores how elite women political leaders use rhetoric to empower women and girls, with a focus on case studies from Liberia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the U.S. Her book Empowering Women: Global Voices of Rhetorical Influence (2019) synthesizes this work. Spiker has over 20 peer-reviewed publications and 40 conference presentations, addressing topics ranging from Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy rhetoric to the symbolic role of Sarah Palin in the 2008 U.S. election.

Her articles span decades, showing a consistent focus on gendered political discourse, media representation, and empowerment strategies. Recent work includes analyzing the cultural impact of public monuments like the Fearless Girl statue and the rhetoric used during Liberia’s Ebola crisis. Earlier research explored youth political engagement and media history.

Spiker teaches courses in political communication, public relations, and rhetoric. Her academic service includes roles in curriculum development and promoting inclusive pedagogical frameworks for underrepresented students. She maintains active engagement with both scholarly and public audiences through her publications and teaching.