Liza Potts

Liza Potts is a Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures at Michigan State University (MSU), serving as Associate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, and Director of WIDE Research. She co-founded the Experience Architecture program, focusing on interdisciplinary UX design. Her research emphasizes networked participatory culture, digital rhetoric, disaster communication, and participatory memory, supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Education:

• Ph.D. Communication and Rhetoric, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2007)
• M.S. Technical Communication, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003)
• Graduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003)
• B.A. English, Florida Atlantic University (1997)

Her research explores how digital platforms shape disaster response, social media governance, and participatory culture. Notable projects include leading the Sherlockian.net community archive and developing methodologies for accessible UX design. She advocates for participatory mentorship models and has published over 70 works on digital humanities, user experience, and crisis communication.

Advising & Grants:

• Directed WIDE Research, fostering graduate student projects
• Secured NEH/IMLS grants for digital archives and UX initiatives
• Co-led Ladies That UX, bridging academia and industry

Labs & Teams: Leads WIDE Research Center and manages the Sherlockian.net project, exemplifying community-driven digital scholarship.