Biography

Dr. Ruth Derksen first joined the Faculty of Applied Science in 2004 after completing her PhD in the Philosophy of Language at the University of Sheffield, UK. Her academic activities have integrated socio-linguistics, rhetoric (logic, argumentation), discourse analysis and genre theory into the professional communication curriculum. Courses are now embedded in Applied Science departments. She has also functioned as an advisor to graduate/ post-graduate students in the Faculty of Applied Science. Currently, she serves on the council of Emeritus College and is a member of the UBC Senate.

 

Research Interests

Guiding graduate and undergraduate students in Applied Science with the language proficiencies, knowledge of rhetorical strategies and genre expectations of their profession; assisting students to succeed as professionals in both their scholarly writing and speaking; investigation of the gap between international students’ assumptions about success and an Applied Science professor’s measurement of that success.