Education
- PhD, Duquesne University
Biography
Lane Grafton is a part time lecturer whose teaching interests include public speaking, public argument, philosophy of communication, and rhetorical theory. His pedagogy emphasizes the practical application of theoretical concepts. In the classroom, he offers students an opportunity for intellectual growth through critical inquiry. His dialectical method challenges students to consider the depths of a given subject matter. Additionally, his twenty years of marketplace experience offers students unique insights into the professional world. Dr. Grafton’s research interests consider the intersection of media ecology, religion, philosophy of communication, and classical rhetoric.
Before joining the University of Pittsburgh, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Duquesne University. In addition, his professional career includes experience in the manufacturing, banking, and retail industries, serving as a Systems Design Manager, Branch Manager, and Retail Associate Manager.
Publications
- “The Bias of Mediation: How Communication Technologies Transform Social Relations.” Explorations in Media Ecology. Forthcoming (2025).
- “Smartphone Distraction en Masse in Mass.” Explorations in Media Ecology 22, no. 4 (Dec 2023): 421–38. https://doi.org/10.1386/eme_00181_1
- “Communication as Transformation: Understanding Effective Human and Divine Communication.” Journal of Communication & Religion 45, no. 3 (Autumn 2022): 52–69. https://doi.org/10.5840/jcr202245310
Courses Taught
- Rhetoric and Society
- Communication and Society
- Argument
- Business & Professional Communication
- Public Speaking
- Integrated Marketing Communication Function I: PR