Taylor Johnson

Taylor Johnson is a Lecturer and Director of Debate in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University. She holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah and an M.A. from JMU, where she first joined in 2015. Her research focuses on Native American and Indigenous Studies, Rhetoric, and Environmental Justice, with a particular emphasis on decolonial approaches to environmental decision-making.

Education:

• PhD in Communication, University of Utah
• M.A., Communication Studies, JMU

Her work explores intersections of rhetoric, environmental justice, and Indigenous sovereignty, as exemplified by her award-winning dissertation on Bears Ears National Monument. She advocates for inclusive and equitable frameworks in public participation processes.

Awards:

• 2021 Catalina de Onís Dissertation Award
• 2022 RSA Dissertation Award Honorable Mention

As Director of Debate, she oversees JMU’s debate programs, fostering critical communication skills. Though no formal advisees or grants are listed, her academic trajectory underscores a commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and community engagement.