Rob Danisch has a PhD in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA from the University of Virginia in History and Philosophy.
His research interests concern rhetorical theory and public communication within democratic societies, and he has written extensively about the relationship between American Pragmatism and rhetoric. In his courses, Rob teaches communication as a practical, rhetorical art, and his aim is to help students become reflective practitioners of effective communication in all settings. In his most recent scholarship and public writings, Professor Danisch has focused on how rescue and rehabilitate democracy, as a political and cultural project, through communication practices. Rob also hosts a podcast called “Now We’re Talking” that focuses on communication skills. His academic work has appeared in Rhetoric Society Quarterly, Rhetoric Review, Rhetoric & Public Affairs, Social Epistemology, Public Understanding of Science, and Southern Communication Journal, and he has written for popular venues like The Conversation, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, and The Toronto Star.
Recent work
Living Democracy: How Communication Systems and Practices Shape Political Culture (Lexington Books, 2024).
Radically Civil: How to Save Democracy One Conversation at a Time, co-authored with William Keith (Routledge Press, 2023).
Beyond Civility: The Competing Obligations of Citizenship, co-authored with William Keith (Penn State University Press, 2020).
What Effect Have I Had? 100 Communication Practices to Help You Be a Better Partner, Teammate, Writer, Speaker, and Leader (KDP, 2018).
Building a Social Democracy: The Promise of Rhetorical Pragmatism (Lexington Books, 2015).
Pragmatism, Democracy, and the Necessity of Rhetoric (University of South Carolina Press, 2007).
Courses Taught
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COMMST 101 – Theories of Communication
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COMMST 204 – Leadership, Teams and Communication
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COMMST 227 – Leadership
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COMMST 228 – Public Communication
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COMMST 323 – Speech Writing
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COMMST 324 – Small Group Communication
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COMMST 420 – Persuasion
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COMMST 475 – Communication Ethics