Lorraine D. Higgins

Lorraine D. Higgins is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), part of The Global School. She plays a central role in WPI’s renowned project-based learning framework, particularly through her co-directorship of the Melbourne, Australia Project Center, where students conduct Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs) addressing real-world challenges at the intersection of science, technology, and society.

• BA, Carnegie Mellon University, 1985
• MA, Carnegie Mellon University
• PhD, Carnegie Mellon University, 1992

Her research and teaching focus on rhetoric and composition, emphasizing writing as a form of inquiry, problem-solving, and critical engagement. She advocates for writing not merely as expression but as a method to generate and test ideas through dialogue with readers and communities. Her interests span writing across the curriculum, medical communication, and community literacy, often involving interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical research practices.

The publications she has authored or co-authored reflect a deep commitment to understanding how individuals and groups use writing to navigate complex social issues—from welfare policy to environmental sustainability. Her work shows a consistent trend toward fostering intellectual rigor, intercultural understanding, and civic responsibility in student learning.

• Co-author of Learning to Rival: A Literate Practice for Intercultural Inquiry (2000)
• Published in College Composition and Communication and other leading journals
• Focus on empowering marginalized voices through narrative and argument

Higgins mentors students through immersive, globally situated projects that demand teamwork, ethical sensitivity, and professional communication. She prepares students in social science methodologies, project management, and multimedia storytelling, enabling them to produce impactful deliverables such as reports, videos, and podcasts. As co-director of the Melbourne Project Center, she builds and sustains long-term partnerships with organizations working in mental health, environmental protection, and community services. These collaborations often result in sustained knowledge building across multiple student teams and tangible benefits for partner organizations, including network expansion and improved internal processes.

She works closely with the WPI Global Lab to support students in developing technical and narrative skills for global engagement. Her leadership emphasizes student autonomy, ethical research (including IRB compliance), and real-world impact, reinforcing WPI’s mission of educating technological leaders who contribute meaningfully to society.