Stephanie Medden, Ph.D. is a communication scholar, educator, and consultant whose work focuses on public speaking, digital media, and the social dynamics of contemporary communication. Her research examines how meaning, power, and participation are shaped through mediated discourse, with particular attention to digital activism, platformed publics, and performative communication in online spaces.

Her scholarship has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes spanning communication studies, media studies, and critical pedagogy. Across this work, she brings a critical cultural lens to questions of how people construct identity, authority, and collective action through communication, especially in highly mediated and algorithmically governed environments. Her current project explores consumer boycotts that originate in digital spaces.

As a teacher, Dr. Medden specializes in public speaking, professional communication, and media-focused courses. She is known for an evidence-based, student-centered pedagogy that emphasizes clarity, ethical persuasion, and confidence as learnable skills. Her teaching draws directly from communication research and is informed by years of experience helping students and professionals navigate high-stakes speaking contexts.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Medden is the founder of SpeakWell Studio, a communication consulting and coaching practice that translates research into practical tools for individuals, teams, and organizations. Through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and training programs, she works with clients to strengthen message clarity, executive presence, and effective public communication. She hosts the SpeakWell Studio Podcast making her work accessible to students, professionals, and anyone hoping to improve their public speaking skills.