Chris Lam, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Technical Communication

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Teach

I am an associate professor in the Department of Technical Communication at the University of North Texas.

Fall 2018 Teaching Schedule

Research

I have published in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, Journal of Business and Technical Communication, Journal of Business Communication, Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, Communication Design Quarterly, Technical Communication, and Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, and Technical Communication Quarterly.

Selected research publications. See CV for full list of publications:

  • Teamwork and Communication
  • Lam, C. (2016). Improving technical communication team projects: An experimental study of media synchronicity theory training on communication outcomes. Journal of Business and Technical Communication. Online first. (Download or read)
  • Lam, C. (2015). The role of communication and cohesion in reducing social loafing in group projects. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. Online first. (Download or Read)
  • Lam, C. (2013). The efficacy of text messaging to improve connectedness and team attitude in student technical communication projects: An experimental study. Journal of Business and Technical Communication. (Download or Read)
  • Lam, C. (2011). Linguistic politeness in student-team Emails: Its impact on trust between leaders and members. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 54, 360-375. (Download or Read)
  • Mackiewicz, J. & Lam, C. (2009). Coherence in workplace instant messages. Journal of Technical Writing & Communication, 39, 417-431. (Download or Read)
  • Discipline-specific Issues in Technical Communication
  • Hannah, M.A. and Lam, C. (2016). Patterns of dissemination: Examining and documenting practitioner knowledge sharing practices on blogs. Technical Communication. 63. Download or Read
  • Lam, C. (2014). Where did we come from and where are we going?: Examining authorship characteristics in technical communication research. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 57(4), 266-285. (Download or Read)
  • Boettger, R. & Lam, C. (2013) An Overview of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research in Technical Communication Journals (1992-2011). IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 56(4), 272-293. (Download or Read)
  • Using Social Media Data in Technical and Professional Communication
  • Hannah, M.A. & Lam, C. (2017). Drawing from Available Means: Assessing the Rhetorical Dimensions of Facebook Practice. International Journal of Business Communication. (Download or Read)
  • Lam, C., Hannah, M.A., & Friess, E. (2016). Connecting programmatic research with social media: Using data from Twitter to inform programmatic decisions. Programmatic Perspectives, 8, 47-71. Download or Read
  • Lam, C. & Hannah, M.A. (2016). Flipping the audience script: An activity that integrates research and audience analysis. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. Online first. (Download or Read)

Collaborate

I work with a variety of stakeholders by:

  • YouTube Tutorials- Check out my YouTube channel for tech-related tutorials.
  • Consulting- If you're a small business owner in need of communication training or development, please visit the portfolio page for more information. I also provide pro-bono consulting for some non-profit organizations.
  • Student research collaboration- I am always interested in working with graduate students with a passion for empirical research. Please visit the portfolio page for details.
  • ESL Editing- My undergraduate and graduate students provide free editing for ESL students. For comprehensive editing on full theses or dissertations, I can match you with a talented editor. If you're interested, please email me.
  • Practitioner Research- If you're a technical communication professional, I'm always interested in collaborating and answering your research questions.