Ethical Usability & AI Governance
Investigating how technical communication frameworks can address user-centered challenges in AI systems and e-governance, with a focus on fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Ifeanyichukwu Mordi
PhD Student in Rhetoric & Professional Communication
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
I am a published researcher and educator specializing in scientific and technical communication. My research connects UX research, ethical usability, and AI governance to questions of access, accountability, and user agency in digital systems. I combine qualitative and quantitative analysis with research synthesis and technical development. At New Mexico State University, I teach science students and support STEM-related writing and digital research projects, drawing on professional experience in technical documentation, digital museum communications, and public-program campaigns.
Research Interests
User Experience Research
Applying socio-technical usability analysis to evaluate and improve digital interfaces, with particular attention to how users from diverse backgrounds interact with complex systems.
Scientific and Technical Communication
Connecting disciplinary knowledge with audience needs through research synthesis, scientific writing support, knowledge translation, and accessible technical documentation.
Critical Data Literacy
Examining hidden labor, user agency, and power relations in data-driven systems, including the recognition of uncompensated digital labor.
Multimodal Pedagogies
Exploring the integration of 3D modeling, digital tools, and material rhetoric into technical communication pedagogy to enhance learning outcomes and student engagement.
Cross-Cultural Communication
Examining how translingual agency and indigenous literacies can be ethically foregrounded in technical communication theory and practice across global contexts.
Education
Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Professional Communication
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
August 2025 – Present
Doctoral research interests include technical communication, UX research, ethical usability, and AI governance.
M.A. in Rhetoric and Professional Communication
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
August 2023 – June 2025
Graduate study in rhetoric and professional communication, with research on ethical usability and access to digital public services.
B.A. in English Language
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
September 2011 – July 2015
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
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Mordi, I. (2026). Ethical usability: Technical communication strategies to addressing user-centered challenges in e-governance. Technical Communication and Social Justice, 4(1), 130–156.
View Article
Conference Presentations
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“A Critical Data Literacy Heuristic for Recognizing Uncompensated Digital Labor.” Computers and Writing Conference, UNC Charlotte, June 2026. Presenter.
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“The Border of Laws: Navigating the Third Space of AI Governance.” Association of Teachers of Technical Writing (ATTW) Annual Conference, April 2026. Presenter.
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“A Critical Socio-Technical Usability Analysis of the NMSU Portal.” Graduate Research and Arts Symposium (GRAS), New Mexico State University, October 2025. Poster. Second Place
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“Translingual Agency and the Ethics of Foregrounding Indigenous Literacies in Technical Communication Pedagogy.” Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) Annual Conference, October 2025. Presenter.
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“Digital Tools for Visibility and Optimization.” African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP): Borderless Trade Network, July 2022. Presenter.
Conferences Attended
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Association of Teachers of Technical Writing (ATTW) Annual Conference, June 2024. “Building Community and Coalitions through Liberatory Pedagogies in Technical Communication.”
Teaching Experience
New Mexico State University — Las Cruces, NM
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of English | 2023–Present
I teach scientific and technical communication to undergraduate students, including students in science disciplines, with an emphasis on audience adaptation, research synthesis, and clear presentation of complex information.
ENGL 2210H: Technical and Professional Communication (Honors)
Fall 2025- Designed an honors-level syllabus emphasizing inquiry-driven research and client-based projects.
- Led instruction on professional genres, usability, multimodal composing, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Evaluated advanced student work across research proposals, recommendation reports, usability case studies, and multimodal deliverables.
- Provided precise, directive feedback aimed at improving rhetorical judgment, technical clarity, and project management.
ENGL 2210: Technical and Professional Communication
Fall 2024 – Spring 2025- Developed a detailed course syllabus tailored to technical and professional communication principles.
- Delivered engaging lectures on core topics, including professional writing, collaboration, and strategies in technical communication.
- Assessed student work through a range of assignments, including technical reports, presentations, and digital content.
- Provided constructive feedback and evaluated student performance throughout the semester.
ENGL 1110: Composition I
Spring 2024- Designed and implemented a comprehensive syllabus focused on foundational writing, research, and rhetorical analysis.
- Delivered lectures on key composition topics, including essay structure, argument development, and effective source use.
- Provided individualized support to students during office hours, offering guidance on writing techniques and revision strategies.
- Evaluated student essays and papers, offering constructive feedback to enhance writing proficiency and critical thinking.
Federal Government College, Ikot-Ekpene — Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Teaching Intern, English (SS1–SS3)
May 2017 – February 2018
- Created detailed lesson plans across a range of topics, aligned with internship guidelines and reviewed by the supervising teacher.
- Collaborated with experienced teachers to deliver lessons, facilitate classroom activities, and support student assessments.
- Observed student progress and recommended curriculum adjustments to better accommodate diverse learning needs.
Awards & Fellowships
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Second Place
Poster Presentation, Graduate Research and Arts Symposium (GRAS)
Graduate Research Council, New Mexico State University · Fall 2025
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$5,000
Merit-Based Enhancement Award
College of Arts and Sciences, New Mexico State University · Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
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Ongoing
Graduate Assistantship
Department of English, New Mexico State University · Fall 2023 – Present
University Service and Program Support
Consultation work included STEM-related writing and digital research projects, connecting disciplinary content with audience needs, clarity, and accessible communication.
Writing Program Support
New Mexico State University · 2026 – Present
- Provide program support within NMSU’s Writing Program, which supports writing instruction, reflective teaching, and instructor development.
Creative Research Center Consultant
New Mexico State University · 2025 – 2026
- Helped students and faculty translate research and teaching goals into digital and multimedia projects through consultations on digital tools and emerging technologies.
- Guided project design, software workflows, and accessible multimodal communication across disciplines.
Writing Center Tutor
New Mexico State University · 2024 – 2025
- Provided one-on-one online consultations for undergraduate and graduate writers, supporting idea development, organization, revision, and editing.
- Supported technical and professional writing, analytical writing, résumés, CVs, portfolios, and APA style.
Professional Experience
Communications Intern
LocalTech LLC, Las Cruces, NM · ENGL 597: Internship in Technical and Professional Writing
Spring 2024
- Created and revised technical documents to improve usability, applying course concepts to real-world communication challenges.
- Developed user guides and support materials with attention to clarity, accessibility, and audience needs.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to bridge communication gaps between marketing, technical, and product groups.
Media and Communications Manager
Discovery Museum, Abuja, Nigeria
September 2020 – April 2023
- Spearheaded the launch of Nigeria’s first digital museum, leading all media and communications efforts.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align digital communication strategies with the technical requirements of virtual exhibits.
- Developed and managed instructional materials and navigational guides for the museum’s digital platform.
Corporate Communications Associate
Sustainalytics Nigeria Limited, Abuja, Nigeria
November 2018 – June 2020
- Developed and executed a comprehensive communications strategy for the Federal Government’s social investment programs.
- Reached an audience of more than ten million Nigerians across multiple media platforms for initiatives including TraderMoni, Survival Fund, N-Power, and GEEP.
Media Intern
Civic Innovation Lab, Abuja, Nigeria
March – August 2018
- Managed social media accounts, created content, and supported communications campaigns for the Student Innovation Challenge.
- Supported the production of a documentary that contributed to securing a grant from Google Africa for the CivicX and Northern Code Project initiatives.
Professional Development
Writing Program Professional Development — NMSU
- Facilitated workshop on Critical Data Literacies (Fall 2025)
- Facilitated workshop on 3D Argument Modeling and Material Rhetoric (Spring 2026)
NASPA Peer Educator Training
Trained in peer-mentoring strategies and student-support protocols for effective co-curricular guidance. Fall 2023.
Google Africa — Digital Skills for Africa
Completed certification in fundamentals of digital marketing, including analytics and online campaign strategy. September 2019.
Skills & Competencies
Research Methods
Qualitative and quantitative analysis; thematic coding; content and rhetorical analysis; research synthesis; mixed-methods interpretation.
Computational Analysis
Data preparation; descriptive statistics; sentiment analysis; topic modeling; data visualization.
UX Research and Design
Audience analysis; usability testing; eye-tracking interpretation; web accessibility; interface prototyping; ethical usability.
Scientific and Technical Communication
Knowledge translation; scientific writing support; technical documentation; user guides; source evaluation; editing; content strategy.
Technical Development and Digital Workflows
Web development and digital prototyping using Python, PHP, and Svelte; research tool integration; MALLET; GazeRecorder; WordPress; LLMs for workflow productivity.
Academic and Professional CV
Explore my education, research, publications, conference presentations, teaching, professional experience, and technical competencies.
View CV
Academic and Professional CV · PDF · Opens in a new tab
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Ifeanyichukwu Mordi
PhD Student, Department of English
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
References available upon request.