Laura Vidal Chiesa

Laura Vidal Chiesa is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at the University of California, Davis, focusing on writing pedagogy with a specialization in engineering writing. She previously taught composition, technical communication, and Spanish at Michigan Technological University. Her research emphasizes equitable professional experiences for graduate students in Writing Program Administration (WPA), emotional labor analysis, and STEM educational partnerships.

• Education: Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Theory & Culture (Michigan Tech, 2023)
• M.S. in Rhetoric, Theory & Culture (Michigan Tech, 2019)
• B.S. from Universidad Católica del Uruguay (2016)

Her work bridges organizational communication and pedagogical innovation, advocating for systemic changes to reduce inequities in academic labor. She actively collaborates with STEM disciplines to develop interdisciplinary curricula. Recent publications explore WPA roles through liminality theory and emotional labor frameworks.

• Awards: 2023 Summer Finishing Fellowship (MTU), 2023 Teaching Excellence Recognition (Midwestern AGS), 2021 Outstanding Teaching Award (MTU)

Vidal-Chiesa advises no listed students but focuses on program administration and curriculum development. She is building campus partnerships to expand writing support in technical fields. Outside academia, she practices yoga, hiking, and plant care.