Education
Ph.D. English (Rhetoric and Composition), Purdue University, 2022
M.A. Philosophy, San Francisco State University, 2015
B.A. Philosophy, Fort Lewis College, 2010
Biography
Ryan Michael Murphy is an Assistant Professor of Business Communication in the Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics. Prior to joining CSUCI in 2022, Dr. Murphy earned a Ph.D. in English, specializing in Rhetoric and Composition and Technical Communication from Purdue University. His academic journey also includes a M.A. in Philosophy from San Francisco State University and a B.A. in Philosophy from Fort Lewis College.
Dr. Murphy teaches business communication courses such as BUS 310: Business Discourses for the 21st Century Communicator and BUS 111: Introduction to Business through Writing. Students in Professor Murphy's classes experience a dynamic and interactive learning environment that prepares them for the challenges of the modern business world. His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical skill development, critical thinking, and the integration of digital tools to enhance student engagement. Beyond classes on campus in Camarillo, Dr. Murphy has traveled with CSUCI students to Germany for Summer study abroad.
Dr. Murphy's research agenda is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that bridges business communication pedagogy, institutional analysis, and critical and cultural rhetorics. His work seeks to advance the understanding of how effective communication strategies can be taught and applied in diverse contexts. His work on "Articulating Transfer in Business Communication Contexts" investigates the transferable skills that students develop through their educational experiences and how these can be leveraged in business communication. This project has led to collaboration with students in research initiatives, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program (SURF), where Dr. Murphy has mentored students in designing and conducting qualitative research.
Collaborative research projects are also part of Dr. Murphy's research agenda. One such project focuses on antiracist pedagogy in technical and professional communication. This research, conducted with six co-authors, explores the creation and sustainability of an antiracist pedagogy group. Another project, written with CSUCI faculty, explores how AI technologies can be used to enhance students' writing skills, particularly in writing summaries of larger technical or academic texts.
Beyond teaching and scholarship, Ryan has professional experience working in hotel management and higher education administrative support positions. He grew up in Western Colorado and enjoys the mountains just as much as the beach. Professor Murphy has a lifelong interests in East Asian philosophies, especially Buddhism and enjoys music, art, and hiking.