By Michele Hearn

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Digital Rhetorical Privacy Collective (DRPC) and to Dr. Charles Woods for taking a chance on me by offering me this competitive Graduate Student Researcher (GAR) position funded via the Texas A&M University-Commerce (A&M-Commerce) Presidential GAR Initiative. The opportunity to work with such a dedicated and forward-thinking group has been transformative. Not only learned immensely through this experience, but I feel like I also made significant contributions to the advancement of the DRPC mission.

One of the greatest achievements from the last year was being awarded the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) grant for our study, “Understanding Privacy and Surveillance in Technical and Scientific Communication: A Study of Programs in Texas.” This project aims to delve deep into the critical issues of digital privacy and surveillance, especially within the context of technical and scientific communication. The chance to interview several professors in the field provided invaluable data and perspectives that will continue to influence my career as an educator moving forward. The insights gained from these interviews will have a lasting impact on my professional journey.

Through the A&M-Commerce Presidential GAR Initiative, I was able to contribute to the enhancement of resources that the DRPC provides to educators who teach writing, rhetoric, and communication. Bringing in the perspective of a public school educator, I wanted to emphasize the necessity of extending DRPC resources for university instructors to public school educators as a way of fostering vertical alignment between the two, and to better prepare students for their post-secondary education. Ultimately, this study will significantly contribute to the development of pedagogical resources, providing expertise and insights into addressing the critical issues of privacy and surveillance in the field.

Another highlight was participating in the organization of DRPC Privacy Week. This event showcased the DRPC’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues of privacy and surveillance, and I am proud to have played a part in its success. The DRPC is doing remarkable work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their goals. Following DRPC Privacy Week, I had the privilege of interviewing several esteemed scholars in the field for the DRPC website, including Dr. Carmen Kynard, Dr. Anthony Stagliano, and Dr. Sarah Young. This experience provided me with deeper insights and allowed me to learn from some of the leading experts in the field. The knowledge and perspectives gained from these interviews have been invaluable, enriching both my understanding of the topics and the resources available to the DRPC. By posting these interviews on YouTube, we will also make this wealth of information accessible to future scholars.

As my time working as a GAR concludes, I bid farewell with immense gratitude for the experiences and growth I have gained through my time with the DRPC. The work we have accomplished together will continue to resonate in my career, and I am confident that the DRPC will continue to make significant strides in addressing the critical issues of digital privacy and surveillance.

Thank you once again to the DRPC team and all the collaborators and participants who have made this journey so impactful. I look forward to witnessing the continued success of the DRPC and its mission!