MICHAEL K. MIDDLETON portrait
  • Director Of Forensics, Communication
  • Assistant Professor, Communication
  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College Of Humanities-Dean
  • Associate Professor, Communication

Education

  • Ph.D., Communication, University of Utah. Project: “Becoming war-machines: neoliberalism, critical politics, and singularities of struggle”
  • Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Communication, University of Utah
  • M.A., Communication Studies, California State University-Long Beach. Project: “Playing With Meaning: Complexity, Interactivity and Semiotic Excess in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas”
  • B.S., Communication, Northern Arizona University

Biography

Michael K. Middleton is an Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Public Discourse, and the Director of the John R. Park Debate Society in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah. Mike’s research focuses on rhetoric, argumentation, public discourse, and cultural studies in the contexts of political advocacy and social movements. His current research examines how homeless populations in Sacramento, CA have carved out spaces of democratic participation within their surrounding communities. In addition, Michael has over 20 years of experience competing in and coaching competitive debate and public speaking where he has coached numerous students to the highest ranks of national competition. During that time, he has worked with Northern Arizona University, California State University-Long Beach, the University of Utah, and students from dozens of high schools throughout the country. Mike has also worked as a consultant for the International Debate Education Association, is the past President of the Western Forensics and Argumentation Association and is Tournament Director and Immediate Past President of the National Parliamentary Debate Association.