Future. Amazing, how one word can engender both optimism and fear, depending on the person and the subject. As for the future of technical communications, optimism is in order, as the discipline will be shaped by Professor of English, Godwin Agboka, the new editor of "Technical Communication Quarterly" (TCQ), the flagship and most influential publication in the discipline.
The appointment also places UHD at the center of national and international conversations around research, writing, the workplace, and technical communication.
Published by the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, TCQ features, among others, scholarship exploring rhetoric, editing, digital communication, workplace communication, and research methodologies. As editor, Agboka will oversee the journal’s publication process and help shape the kinds of scholarship elevated within the discipline.
One of his priorities will be expanding access to publishing opportunities for scholars from lesser-known institutions, as well as for graduate students and researchers whose perspectives are often underrepresented.
“I want to focus on mentorship,” he said. “I want to change the narrative by encouraging a lot more scholarship from scholars from less prestigious institutions but who contribute valuable perspectives.”
He also plans to encourage a wider range of input in the journal’s editorial board in terms of members’ institutional backgrounds and faculty ranks.
The appointment will also create new opportunities for Gators.
Agboka said he plans to work with UHD student interns who will assist with manuscript styling, reference checks, and editorial workflows, giving students firsthand exposure to the processes behind scholarly publishing.
Beyond those direct experiences, Agboka said the role is already shaping how he approaches teaching and research mentorship in the classroom, as his new role has increased his engagement with cutting-edge research on issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in editing and communication.
He said exposure to new research methodologies, ethical questions, and evolving conversations within the field will enhance his teaching and directly benefit students studying technical and professional communication.
And so, congratulations are in order, as the appointment represents both professional recognition and an opportunity to strengthen UHD’s presence within the discipline while creating academic and professional pathways for students and emerging scholars.