Indiana Conference on Citizenship’s “Media Literacy and Civil Society” panel discussion in October 2024.
Welcome! I’m Paul Cook, Professor of English in the Department of English and Language Studies at Indiana University Kokomo. I specialize in writing, rhetoric, technical and professional communication, and digital media studies, with a research focus on the complex intersections of mis- and disinformation, digital literacy, and higher education in the post-truth era. I dabble in higher ed futurism, cooking, and minor auto repairs. I am also an avid runner, and active on the board of Indy Runners and Walkers.
If you’re curious, here’s my CV (updated October 2025), my Google Scholar page, and my newsletter, The Highlight Zone on Substack.
My new book, Misinformation Studies and Higher Education in the Postdigital Era: Beyond Fake News, reimagines how we approach mis- and disinformation in higher education. Moving beyond the obsession with “fake news,” the book examines the socio-cultural and technical forces shaping this unprecedented informational moment: the speed and ubiquity of digital networks, the erosion of trust in institutions, the rise of AI platforms, and educational gaps in media literacy and civic togetherness. By tracing the university’s historical role as a knowledge-producing institution, I propose a bold framework for how academia may respond to this “perfect storm” of threats: misinformation studies—a meta-disciplinary approach that challenges higher education to reinvigorate its mission in the fight against problematic information.
My academic journey includes leadership roles that span teaching, scholarship, and service. From 2019 to 2022, I was President of the Faculty Senate at IU Kokomo, where I worked to amplify faculty voices across our campus. Since 2018, I’ve served as Reviews Editor for Across the Disciplines, fostering dialogue on interdisciplinary teaching and learning. From 2014 to 2020, I directed IU Kokomo’s writing program, spearheading the creation of innovative Writing in the Disciplines (WID) courses and launching the Certificate in Professional Writing, a 12-credit track designed to prepare students for diverse writing and editing careers. I’m also a founding member of IU’s Digital Gardening Initiative and co-hosted the podcast Digital Gardening with Adam Maksl from 2021 to 2023.
My scholarly work reflects my passion for understanding and improving the teaching of writing in a rapidly changing information environment. You’ll find my research in journals such as Pedagogy, JAC (Journal of Advanced Composition), and Across the Disciplines, as well as in edited collections like the widely used Bad Ideas About Writing (and its companion podcast). My interests also extend to communication theory, the history of the university, and academic labor, with publications in Communication Law Review, American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor, and Liberal Education, among others.
I hold a BA in English from Winthrop University, an MA in English from Auburn University, and a PhD in English from the University of South Carolina. To answer your question: as a South Carolina native, I am a Gamecock first and foremost; Auburn is my second team.
Thank you for visiting! Whether you’re interested in collaborating, inviting me for a keynote or workshop, or simply connecting, feel free to reach out at paulcook@iu.edu. I’m excited to share insights and strategies on navigating the challenges of mis-, dis-, and malinformation in today’s complex, postdigital reality.
Paul Cook 