My research combines predictive processing, polarity theory, computational linguistics, and network analysis to understand how political communities use discourse to organize themselves and tackle problems. I use text and network data to study how fundamental motivations, threat, and neurocognitive models shape the balance that communities strike between understanding the world and making their members feel safe.

I’m an award winning teacher of persuasive communication, research methods, public speaking, and communication theory.

My classroom is a collaborative space where students can test ideas, challenge assumptions, and connect theory to the challenges of their own lives.

I teach with the conviction that serious scholarship and pedagogy strengthen one another.

Before academia, I worked in public service, political campaigns, and international diplomacy, leading initiatives that required coalition-building, community engagement, and clear communication. These experiences trained me to navigate complex systems, translate technical ideas for diverse audiences, and understand the value of diversity in solving problems. My experience shapes both my research and my teaching, grounding theoretical questions in real-world practicality.