Hello, I’m Nick! I’m a social scientist, (adjunct) professor, and veteran advocate. I received my PhD in linguistics from Georgetown University in 2022. I’m currently a research associate for Fors Marsh and I teach in the Department of Communication at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

My research focuses on the intersections of language and military/veteran discourse, (inter)national (in)security, and gender and sexuality. I’m trained in linguistic theory and methodologies which means I focus on how language in interactions can elucidate meaning-making processes. I’m experienced in analyzing conversational data and interview data, and I have extensive experience designing and conducting interviews for studies. I have also trained and mentored undergraduate researchers how to design studies and analyze data. I currently adjunct in the Department of Communication at University of Alaska Fairbanks. I’m currently teaching intercultural communication and have taught interpersonal communication and public speaking in the past.

Additionally, I am a (ubiquitous) Defense contractor for Fors Marsh, supporting projects and research for the Office of People Analytics (OPA). I am currently the project manager for the Comprehensive Integrated Primary Prevention (CIPP) Plans System, which is a novel approach to integrating command climate assessments (CCAs) into resources for military leaders to leverage positive social factors and mitigate negative social factors. CCAs can be understood as workplace-organizational climate studies. One such CCA is the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS), a project that I also support.

My service in the U.S. Navy motivates much of my research and advocacy in veteran/military spaces. I served during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and want to be part of the change that advances equality, equity, and access for marginalized populations. My goal as a researcher is that my research supports policy. And ultimately, I am hoping to continue the sense of service I acquired in the military as a civil servant. Eventually, I’d like to return to teaching to inspire the next generation of researchers in civil service.

If you also live in the DC area, you might find me and my husband riding around our Capitol Hill neighborhood with our two Shiba Inus (in backpacks).

Updates: I recently interviewed Petty Officer Joshua Kelley, aka Harpy Daniels, for the Modern Military Magazine. Check it out here:
Joshua Kelley: Queering leadership by serving looks and country.

I’ve also finally added the recording of my presentation for Talking Politics. Check it out here:
Queering the military: How ideologies about gender and sexuality shape(d) the U.S. Armed Forces.