Virginia Tech’s Center for Rhetoric in Society (CRS) was formed in 2006 in the Department of English. With a mission to investigate language use through rhetorical and narrative analysis to understand significant social problems, the Center serves as an incubator for individual and collaborative research projects, events, and community outreach programs. We ask how language inspires people to action and how writing changes society and why. We search for answers by studying everything from the communication strategies of national social change movements to everyday rhetorics that often go unnoticed and unexamined. We share our findings at conferences and in publications and through outreach programs and other events. The CRS is an affiliated center with the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment and various projects have received seed funding from ISCE.

Inclusion and Diversity Statement.  As a research center focused on rhetorics in society, we oppose all expressions of bigotry and hate. We reject language that denigrates others based on any identity category, including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, immigration status, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or body type. We are committed to critique and proactive work to counter individual and structural oppression to create a safe environment for all. We recognize that Virginia Tech is a land grant university acquired through the Morrill Act, and the Tutelo/Monacan people, traditional custodians of the land. We seek to be responsible stewards of this space, honoring that heritage.

If you are interested in learning more about the center, we invite you to visit us. We are located on the third floor of Shanks Hall on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.