Dr. Patricia Roberts Miller

Biography

Patricia Roberts-Miller is a Professor Emerita in Rhetoric at the University of Texas at Austin. She obtained her Ph.D. in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley in 1987. Her research interests encompass the history and theory of rhetoric, pedagogy, and public argumentation. In her work, she explores how rhetoric functions in diverse communities and its role in fostering decision-making amidst uncertainty. She emphasizes the importance of engaging students in the practice of rhetoric to enhance their understanding of rhetorical texts and argumentation. Roberts-Miller’s teaching philosophy aligns with the goals of a liberal arts education, aiming to foster essential skills for citizenship and democratic engagement. She believes that through the study of rhetoric, students learn to critically read and produce argumentative texts, thus preparing them to navigate complex historical and cultural situations. Her scholarly contributions include case studies on the failures and successes of rhetorical practices and the implications of rhetoric in relation to issues such as violence and authoritarianism.

Research Interests