Department of Communication Arts
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sara Rabon

Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture

Project Assistant

srabon@wisc.edu

608-263-0490

6164 Vilas Hall

Sara Rabon

Overview

Sara is a PhD student in Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture with a minor in Science and Technology Studies (STS). Drawing on her background in computer science, she investigates the social construction of digital technologies through discursive practices across different social worlds and arenas. Her work peers into the abstracted layers of digital and physical infrastructures that foreclose individual possibilities, constitute ontologies, and inform the broader societal integration of technologies. Ultimately, she hopes to provide a humanistic perspective to the world of the digital and technical expertise to the world of communication, ultimately bridging the disciplines.

Research Interests

Digital Rhetoric; Network Rhetoric; Platform Studies; Science and Technology Studies; Human-Computer Interaction; Argumentation and Forensics;

Education

  • M.A. Communication Arts; University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2026
  • B.S. Computer Science, Communication Arts; University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020

Publications

  • Rabon, S. (2026). “Expectations Shape Reality: The Limits of Personification Metaphor on Generative Artificial Intelligence Development and Technological Closure.” The Midwest Quarterly. 67 (2).

Conference Presentations

  • 2026: Association for Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARTSM) Pre-Conference, Rhetoric Society of America (RSA), “‘It’s Our Water and Our Energy!’: Negotiating Opposing Discursive Realities within AI Data Center Debates in Rural Wisconsin”
  • 2025: National Communication Association (NCA), “Parasociality and the Constituted Rhetorical Audience: Donald Trump on the Adin Ross Livestream”
  • 2025: Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR), “The Art of Maximizing Attention: Digital Neoliberalism and MrBeast”
  • 2025: Rhetoric Society of Europe (RSE) Rhetoric in Society #9, “Trump in the Manosphere – How to Rhetorically Capture Young Men in the Digital Audience”

Teaching

  • Comm Arts 200: Introduction to Digital Communication – Guest Lecturer (Spring 2025, Spring 2026), Lead Teaching Assistant (Spring 2026), Teaching Assistant (Fall 2025)
  • Comm Arts 371: Communication and Conflict Resolution – Grader (Summer 2026)
  • Comm Arts 343: Communication in the Age of AI – Grader (Fall 2025)
  • Comm Arts 262: Theory and Practice of Argumentation and Debate – Teaching Assistant (Spring 2025)
  • Comm Arts 100: Introduction to Speech Composition – Primary Instructor (Fall 2024)

Service

  • Wisconsin Speech & Debate Society: Advisor and Head Coach (2026 – Current), Assistant Coach (2024-2026)
  • RSA Student Chapter UW-Madison: President (2026-2027), Vice President (2025 – 2026)
  • Comm Arts Graduate Student Organization (GSO): Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture (RPC) Representative (2025-2027)
  • NSDA, NCFL High School Debate Judge (2016 – Current)

Professional Work