By Katy Morejon Portillo, PTW Program Intern
Dr. Isidore Dorpenyo, Associate Professor in George Mason University’s Professional and Technical Writing (PTW) Program, is redefining technical communication by integrating it with user advocacy, social justice, and civic design in elections.
With a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture from Michigan Technological University (2016), Dr. Dorpenyo joined Mason in 2016 to explore the intersections of technology, society, and communication. His work embodies the PTW Program’s mission to prepare students for real-world challenges with innovative and critical approaches. Through his research, teaching, and mentorship, he advances the program’s vision of cultivating critical thinkers and ethical communicators capable of addressing complex global issues.
Dr. Dorpenyo challenges traditional definitions of technical communication by advocating for a framework that includes user advocacy, public documents, and social impact. “While I respect the traditional definition of technical communication as accommodating technology to users,” he explains, “I believe we, as technical communicators, have evolved into user advocates. We study user experience, advocate for inclusive technology design, and analyze the role of documents and technology in public spaces.”
This approach drives his focus on how technical communication impacts elections, particularly how documents such as voter ballots and registration forms can empower or disenfranchise voters.
His research into election technology began with Ghana’s adoption of biometric voting systems in 2012, which excluded groups like farmers and fishermen during testing, resulting in design flaws that disenfranchised voters and compromised election results. “This exclusion reveals how technology can embody discriminatory ideologies,” Dr. Dorpenyo explains.
Dr. Dorpenyo’s teaching centers on empowering students to address social challenges through practical projects, such as redesigning election ballots or voting system manuals. An advocate for ethical design, Dr. Dorpenyo maintains that “Technical documents are not neutral. They embody the values and assumptions of their designers,” urging communicators to critically assess the ethical implications of their work.
Through his research and teaching, Dr. Dorpenyo demonstrates the transformative power of technical communication when paired with critical perspectives on rhetoric and justice.
February 20, 2025