I am an assistant professor of technical communication and rhetoric at Texas Tech University, where I also co-direct the User Experience (UX) Lab. I teach courses in UX research, information design, and digital rhetorics.
I received a PhD in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication from the University of Minnesota in May 2019. Before Texas Tech, I have taught at the University of Minnesota, Metropolitan State University (adjunct), University of North Texas (online adjunct), and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China (visiting scholar). I have previously taught first-year composition, rhetorics of technology, and technical & professional writing.
From 2015-2019, I was a researcher affiliated with the Wearables Research Collaboratory at Minnesota. I investigated the sociocultural aspects of wearable technologies and deployed devices like Google Glass, Google Cardboard, Ricoh Theta 360, and other gadgets to examine the usefulness of wearable technologies in different learning contexts.
Currently, I am working on book and article projects that focus on design thinking approaches in technical communication pedagogy and practice. See my projects page for details.
My recent publications include the following:
- Tham, J. (2018). Interactivity in an age of immersive media: Seven dimensions for wearable technology, internet of things, and technical communication. Technical Communication, 65(1), 46-65. (Awarded the STC Frank R. Smith Award for best article in Technical Communication)
- Tham, J. (2017). Wearable writing: Enriching student peer reviews through point-of-view video feedback using Google Glass. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 47(1), 22-55.
- Duin, A.H., Moses, J. McGrath, M., & Tham, J. (2016). Wearable computing, wearable composing: New dimensions in composition pedagogy. Computers and Composition Online. Retrieved from http://cconlinejournal.org/wearable/
- Tham, J. (2015). Through Glass: Reframing technical communication practices via Google Glass. Intercom, 62(2), 32-34.
I am continually intrigued by the impact of technologies on our personal, professional, and social lives, and I strive to better understand how we might facilitate better living and learning through these technologies.
Outside of work, I enjoy attending CrossFit workouts, cooking, running, and parenting two very affectionate cats, an energetic puppy, and a much-relaxed chinchilla with my partner. Oh, we also love Netflix.
Education Background
PhD in Rhetoric & Scientific & Technical Communication, Minor in Human Factors and Ergonomics, University of Minnesota, 2019.
MA in English: Rhetoric & Writing, St. Cloud State University, 2014.
MS in Mass Communication: Advertising & Public Relations, St. Cloud State University, 2014.
BS in Mass Communication: Advertising, Minors in Communication Studies and Psychology, St. Cloud State University, 2011.
