Laurel Westrup

Laurel Westrup serves as a Continuing Lecturer and Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy (GCWP) at UCLA Writing Programs, where she has held a full-time position since 2011 after previously working as a Teaching Fellow and Teaching Assistant Consultant.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Communication from UC San Diego
• M.A. and Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies from UCLA

Dr. Westrup's research bridges media theory, popular music, and composition pedagogy, with particular emphasis on how sonic and visual media shape cultural narratives and educational practices. Her work critically examines sampling techniques, soundtrack aesthetics, and writing instruction methodologies within contemporary digital landscapes.

Her scholarly contributions feature co-edited volumes exploring media archaeology and audio culture, reflecting consistent engagement with interdisciplinary approaches to media studies. These publications demonstrate evolving trends toward analyzing music's role in media production and the pedagogical implications of digital composition practices.

Through the GCWP program, she provides extensive mentorship to graduate student instructors while teaching core composition courses including English Composition 2, 130E, M185 for the Professional Writing Minor, and GCWP-focused Composition 402, frequently integrating her expertise in Media and Popular Music Studies into curriculum design.