ELIZABETH SHEA

Elizabeth Shea is an assistant professor in the Department of English, where she teaches rhetorical theory, science writing, biomedical writing, and technical writing. Her research focuses on genetics as authoritative rhetoric in specialized scientific communities, public debate, and popular culture. Shea is currently working on a book manuscript entitled How the Gene Got Its Groove: Notes on a the Tropic Life of Genes, and recently published "The Gene As A Rhetorical Figure: ‘Nothing But a Very Applicable Little Word" In Science As Culture (December 2001). Shea’s research and teaching intersect at the practices of biomedical writing.

As a member of the POE Faculty Learning Community, Shea has been working on researching and developing a curriculum for a biomedical writing program here at Northeastern. Shea has been working as a faculty intern with a local biotechnology company to gain an insider’s view of the biotechnology industry, identifying the forms and practices of biomedical writing. Complementing this work, Shea has been researching other writing programs in the country and analyzing the feasibility and requirements for developing a masters program for the university.