Research Showcase
Join the Department of Writing Studies for the annual Spring Research Showcase! This year’s showcase will be held virtually through short slide presentations and a reception with presenters.
Register to Attend
If you are interested in participating and sharing a project, please fill out this form by Friday, April 1st. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. You can connect with us at [email protected].
Join the Reception
Join us for a virtual reception to connect and discuss on Monday, April 24th, 2023 from 4 - 5:30 pm.
- 4:00-4:05 pm: Opening remarks
- 4:05-4:35 pm: First set of presentations
- 4:35-4:45 pm: Break
- 4:45-5:15 pm: Second set of presentations
- 5:15 pm: Closing remarks
Provide Feedback
Give students feedback on their projects using this brief feedback form.
2023 Presentations
- Rachel Naegele (MS): Web Accessibility Compliance in GoodRX.com
- Shannon Hofer-Pottala (MS): Approaches to Data Visualization in Technical Communication: A Systematic Literature Review
- Olivia Trout (BS): Expanding TWC Into UX: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Between UX Writers and Designers
- Emily Gresbrink (PhD): Doing Crises Better Together: A Collaborative Case Study Investigating Student Responses to University COVID-19 Digital Risk Communications
- Michaela Reardon (MS): What Outcomes are Important to Scoliosis Brace Wearers?
- Shane Rose (MS): Leveraging Subject-Matter Expertise in an Extended Buyer Journey
- Parker Gangl (BS): Working Towards Accessible Design
- Grant Elgersma (MS): Structured Content Actor Networks in Organizations
- Asmita Ghimire (PhD): Transnational Research in Technical Communication
- Diego Juarez (BS): Know Your Cannabinoid: The Development and Usability Testing of a Public Interest Website
- Dimitri Persaud (BS): Project TechBack: A Usability Study on Empowering Users
2022 Presentations
Watch last year's playlist, or check out the individual videos below.
BS in Technical Writing and Communication Students
Safety Protocol and Guidelines for the 8 Major Food Allergens
My name is Jacob Huibregtse and I'm a Technical Writing and Communication major in the information technology and design sub plan. I am also completing a Leadership minor. My project involved creating a set of allergy safety infographics and completing a usability test to determine the effectiveness for specific groups of people. Watch Jacob's presentation video.
Karmel Center Navigation & Directory
My name is Amal Kayse, I will be graduating this May with a Technical Writing and Communications BS degree. I’m interested in usability and design with a focus on UI. I have trained in UX as a field through internships along with marketing and project management. I recently completed a project where I built a navigation system and website for a large ethno-centric shopping center within the Twin Cities. Watch Amal's video presentation.
UX Design and Usability Test on a Online Civic Engagement Tool
I am a graphic designer who will soon graduate from the University of Minnesota's Technical Writing and Communications program with a BS. My background in graphic design, combined with my recent education in technical communication, has exposed me to the UX field, where I'm seeking to position myself as a UX designer and researcher. View Holly's video presentation.
The failures of fixing a broken heart: a case study of regulatory risk and benefit communication in the timeline of the FDA recall of Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis Cardiac Defibrillator leads
My name is Makehba Nelson and I am a senior majoring in Technical Writing and Communication with an emphasis in health and biological sciences. I am also minoring in Business Law and Integrative Neuroscience. Ever since I discovered technical communication as an area of study and career, I have been extremely interested in working in regulatory affairs within a medical device company. My career choice is reflective of the endless job opportunities that are available for technical communicators. My particular interests in medical devices comes from my own experience in depending on these technologies and my desire to contribute to enhancing the quality of life of other patients.
Besides being an aspiring regulatory affairs specialist, I enjoy engaging in all things pop culture. I love watching and critiquing movies, listening to hip hop, R&B, and pop music, and engaging in cultural analysis of pressing entreatment news and events.”
Non-profit improved web design
My name is Gabriella Wenisch and I am in the process of finishing my senior year at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities. I started as a sociology major but after reading about the Technical Writing and Communication program I decided to add another degree. Since then, I have learned so much and I never would have dreamed I would be designing and submitting a website for my senior capstone project. View Gabriella's video presentation.
MS in Scientific and Technical Communication Students
Improving Oncology Clinical Trial Informed Consent Forms: Insights from Research Nurses
My name is Sandra Dekoum and I’m in the MS in Scientific & Technical Communication program. I’m employed as a Protocol Writer within the Masonic Cancer Center and was a Regulatory Specialist prior to that. In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors with my family, play tennis, and do yoga. Watch Sandra's video presentation.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnant Women
My name is Farrah Khan, I am a graduate student in my final semester working towards a M.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication. I studied Biology as an undergraduate student and wanted to merge the two disciplines of interest, science and writing, for a career in technical or medical writing. View Farrah's video presentation.
DITA in Complex Industries: Managing the Divide between Theory and Practice
I'm Joe Molohon. I'll be obtaining my MS in Scientific and Technical Communication this spring. In addition to my classwork, I work as a technical writer at 3M. My research interests primarily center around content management and usability. Fun fact: I'm a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Watch Joe's video presentation.
ICD 11: Its Evolution and Its Impact on Healthcare Providers and Analysts
Cara Stromback, M.S. Scientific and Technical Communication. My B.A. is in political science and my second language is Mandarin. I'm excited to for a career change in technical communication. Outside of studying, I enjoy alpine skiing and boxing. View Cara's video presentation.
Evolution Before Our Eyes: UX Design Research & its Implications Toward Social Networking Sites
I am a student in my last semester of the MS program. Additionally, I am also a full time professional in corporate communications for a global supply chain company. My days consist of countless hours of screen time, but I'm constantly challenged with new projects and rhetorical goals, so I do enjoy my work overall. In my free time, I'm an avid reader who prefers nonfiction books as well as an adventurer; I've been to 15 countries, speak three languages and am always looking for a new cultural experience. Watch Cal's video presentation.
First-Year Writing Students
Poisonous Flowers and the Things We Create
My name is Amanda Foster, and I am an undergraduate student studying electrical engineering. I have always been drawn to art, and it fascinates me how much of an impact it has on humanity. I love math and technology, which is why I am studying electrical engineering, but to me they are no different than art. Math & technology & art are all different mediums of discovery and expression; I hope to find a way to combine all three to discover and understand new ideas. View Amanda's video presentation.
Faculty and Staff
Visualizing collaborative writing
I’ve had a rewarding career in writing instruction. I get to design collaborative writing projects for students of advanced professional and technical communication. Over the years, I’ve been experimenting with visualizations of writing for instructional purposes so will use this opportunity to show a design based on fractals. Watch Joe's video presentation.