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About David
David Birdsell is a communications scholar who served as Dean of the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, CUNY, from 2006 until his retirement in July 2021, after a 35-year career at the institution. He began at Baruch in 1986 as Assistant Professor of Speech, advancing to Associate Professor of Speech (1991-1994), Associate Professor of Public Affairs (1994-1998), and Professor of Public Affairs (1999-2021). He also held positions as Executive Director of Academic Programs (1999-2005) and Interim Dean (2005-2006). Under his leadership, the Marxe School doubled in size, launched a Master of International Affairs degree, received a $30 million endowment—the largest gift in Baruch history—and earned top rankings in U.S. News & World Report graduate program surveys. Birdsell earned his PhD in Public Communication from the University of Maryland in 1986, MA in Speech Communication from the University of Virginia in 1981, and BA in History from the University of Virginia in 1979. His early teaching included courses in speech communication, argumentation, debate, persuasion, and later public affairs communication, management communication, and telecommunications policy.
Birdsell's academic interests focus on the nexus of communication, media, and information technology in politics, government, and nonprofit administration, with expertise in political debates and visual argumentation. Notable publications include Presidential Debates: The Challenge of Creating an Informed Electorate (Oxford University Press, 1988, with Kathleen Hall Jamieson; 518 citations), "Toward a Theory of Visual Argument" (Argumentation and Advocacy, 1996, with Leo Groarke; 500 citations), "Outlines of a Theory of Visual Argument" (Argumentation and Advocacy, 2007, with Leo Groarke; 236 citations), and "Ronald Reagan on Lebanon and Grenada: Flexibility and Interpretation in the Application of Kenneth Burke's Pentad" (Quarterly Journal of Speech, 1987; 157 citations). He edited special issues of Argumentation and Advocacy on visual argument (1996) and presidential debates (1991). His scholarship received grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Clark Foundation, New York Community Trust, JPMorganChase Foundation, Markle Foundation, and others. Awards include the Community Partnership Award from United Way of New York City (2007), Presidential Service Award from Baruch College (1999), and Young Leaders Forum from the American-Swiss Foundation (2000). Birdsell served on editorial boards for Argumentation and Advocacy and Communication Theory, chaired NASPAA's Data Committee, and provided media commentary on political communication.
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