Laura J. Gurak

Professor Laura J. Gurak holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is a Professor in the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota, where she also served as the founding chair from 2007 to 2016. Her work focuses on the intersection of rhetoric, technology, and trust in digital environments. Key areas include technical communication, science communication, and the socio-psychological aspects of online interaction.

Her educational background includes a B.A. in Public Communication (1989), M.A. in Technical Communication (1990), and Ph.D. in Communication and Rhetoric (1994), all from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has authored influential books such as Cyberliteracy (2001) and Technical Communication (2024, co-authored with John M. Lannon).

Gurak’s research explores ethos construction in digital spaces, trust in online communities, and the rhetorical dynamics of technological discourse. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with applied studies, including analyses of internet activism, e-health communication, and the ethics of technical writing in the digital age. She has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes.

Her academic leadership includes roles in curriculum development for technical communication education, emphasizing digital literacy and visual communication. She has pioneered studies on privacy in internet-based research, particularly in health-related contexts like the Men’s INTernet Sex (MINTS) Study.

Gurak’s research has been supported by grants focusing on technical communication pedagogy, digital rhetoric, and interdisciplinary program development. She is actively involved in professional organizations and serves as a reviewer for major journals in rhetoric and technical communication.