NCA Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award
For the essay, “‘Remaking the World Memetically’: Interrogating White Nationalist Subject Formation through the Circulation of the ‘Wagecuck’ Meme” published in Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies in 2023.
Dr. Reed Van Schenck’s essay offers a compelling look at an unconventional but rhetorically potent case study. Dr. Van Schenck’s analysis is thorough, examining the complex rhetorical implications of the titular meme’s images, text, and circulation. Dr. Van Schenck also expertly weaves together an array of insights from scholars in visual rhetoric and critical race theory to advance the essay’s exploration of online discourse that manipulates race, gender, and class anxieties to promote white supremacy. The essay’s detailed and rich analysis, theoretical rigor, and valuable contributions to the field of Communication make it a worthy recipient of this award.