Robert Alexander

Robert Alexander is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Brock University, specializing in the Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse Studies (WRDS) program. He holds a PhD in English from McMaster University. His research focuses on literary journalism, blending journalistic rigor with narrative techniques from fiction. He has contributed significantly to Brock’s Rhetoric and Professional Writing and Creative Writing programs, emphasizing immersive reporting and social justice themes.

Education: PhD in English (McMaster University).

Research Interests: Literary journalism, creative nonfiction, ecocriticism, rhetoric, and the history of linguistic thought. He explores intersections between journalism and literature, particularly in documenting marginalized voices and environmental issues. His work often examines the ethical dimensions of journalist-source relationships and the psychoanalytic underpinnings of narrative nonfiction.

Publications: Editor of Fear and Loathing Worldwide: Gonzo Journalism Beyond Hunter S. Thompson (2018) and co-editor of Literary Journalism and Social Justice (2022). Current projects include volumes on Comics Journalism and the Literary Journalism/Creative Non-Fiction of East-Central Europe.

Awards: 2022 Faculty of Humanities Award for Excellence in Teaching, reflecting his innovative pedagogical approaches. Active in professional organizations, he serves as President of the International Association for Literary Journalism Studies (IALJS).

Teaching: Courses in rhetoric, literary journalism, creative writing, and social justice. His third-year literary journalism course engages students in immersive reporting projects, producing impactful stories on topics like death doulas and community initiatives.

Professional Contributions: Organized international conferences, published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and edited special sections on topics like 'Teaching in the Time of COVID-19.' His work bridges academic scholarship and practical journalism, emphasizing narrative as a tool for social change.