Dr. Robert Irish, Director of LAC

Robert Irish has been the Director of Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at University of Toronto since it began in 1995. This year he is teaching ESC 300S (Communication) and the graduate course Communication for Engineers, JDE 1001Y, as well as leading many seminars in classes and coordinating the program. He has taught writing to students in Engineering and Architecture for nine years. He received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Toronto in 1994. His current research is analyzing the effectiveness of written feedback on student writing.

E-mail: irish@ecf.utoronto.ca

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Dr. Katherine Tiede, First Year Engineering Writing Courses Coordinator

Katherine Tiede is the first year writing course coordinator in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto. She has been teaching in the Faculty since 1996. Her work involves coordinating the first year English Proficiency Test (EPT) and coordinating and teaching APS 184 (Writing as Effective Communication) and APS 185 (Technical Writing in English). In addition, she teaches ESC 300S (Communication) and the graduate course Communication for Engineers, JDE1001Y. She received her PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Toronto in 1996. Among other places, she has taught at Ryerson Polytechnic University, York University, and Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Her current research involves analyzing academic language learning and pedagogy in first year engineering writing courses.

E-mail: ktiede@utoronto.ca

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Dr. Peter Eliot Weiss, Associate Director of LAC

Peter works in a wide range of courses as a communication resource person. He is  often available in the Engineering Communication Centre to meet individually with students. Peter also leads oral communication workshops, teaches ESC 300S, and the oral component of JDE 1001Y, "Communication for Engineers." Peter is a playwright/director/actor who completed his PhD at U of T's Graduate Drama Centre.  His most popular play has been the award-winning Sex Tips for Modern Girls.  Peter taught drama at Simon Fraser University, UBC, and U of T.   His current research is analyzing the effectiveness of written feedback on student writing and, in a totally different vein, he is studying the role of engineering in Renaissance Italian opera.

E-mail: weissp@ecf.utoronto.ca

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Alan Chong:

Alan Chong is pursuing a PhD in English at U of T, after receiving his MA from Queen's University and his BA at Simon Fraser.Ý His focus in the ECC is seminar-based teaching and tutoring. He is also the primary web-developer for the ECC, and currently researching interactive methods for teaching communication on the web.

E-mail: alchong@chass.utoronto.ca

Dennis G. Jerz:

Dennis is now an Associate Professor of Technical Writing at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, but his spirit still lingers over the website.

Brock MacDonald:

Brock MacDonald teaches the Engineering Thesis section of JDE 1001Y, "Communication for Engineers." He also teaches writing and academic skills at U. of T.'s Mississauga campus and at Woodsworth College. He did his BA in English at UBC and came to U. of T. for graduate school, specializing in the study of rhetoric. He lives in a cosy little house in the Annex with his wife, two daughters, a dog, two cats, and not enough room.Ý

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Becky Pinkus:

Becky worked as a Medical Writer and Editor for the US. Army.  She did a Master's degree in Technical and Professional Writing at Northeastern University, and is now completing a Master's at University of Toronto's Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. She teaches the Professional Writing Seminar and ESC 300

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Usman Erdosy

Usman has been teaching Academic Writing and Technical Writing to first-year Engineering students at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering since 1995. He has a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language from Woodsworth College, University of Toronto, and an M.A. in Second Language Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto. He is currently enrolled in the PhD Program in Second Language Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto. His principal interests are the teaching and assessment of second language writing, and he is currently revising his Masters thesis for publication, besides participating in an SSHRC-funded study oconcerning the Goals and Activities of ESL Writers.

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