Dr. Sarah Gunning, PhD

Biography

Sarah Gunning directs the M.S. Professional Writing program. Dr. Gunning's research focuses on proposal writing and knowledge management within nonprofit organizations, collaborative writing, and program administration. She teaches coursework in research methods, information design, and technical and scientific writing.

Recent Publications

• Gunning, S. 2027. Developing the Communicating Complex Information graduate certificate: A systematic approach. Preparing for (almost) everything: A practical guide to tech comm budgets, staffing, and curriculum development. Eds Ilyasova, K.A. and Sean Williams. Utah State UP/CO Press.
  
• Gunning, S. 2026. Funding the revolution. Women in Technical Communication: From Typewriters to Touchscreens: A History of the Women Who Did the Work. Edited collection. Ed. Burton, S. XML Press. ISBN-10: 1937434915.
  
• Gunning, S. Fall 2025. Partnering with universities: Opportunities for grant professionals. Journal of the Grant Professionals Association. 23,1. pp.29-46.
• Gunning, S., Eakes, E., Hadfield, L., 2025. Making meaning through oral portfolio defenses: A pilot project. Proceedings of International Conference on Professional Communication (IEEE PROCOMM). July 20-23. Sønderborg, Denmark. pp.305-309. ISBN: 979-8-3315-3061-7 DOI:10.1109/ProComm64814.2025.00064
  
• Gunning, S. 2025. How do nonprofit proposal writers learn their jobs? Results of a nationwide survey and interviews Journal of Business and Technical Communication. 39,2 pp.191-224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10506519241307786 Nominated for 2026 Best Article in Scientific and Technical Communication, Qualitative or Quantitative via CCCC and National Council of Teachers of English
  
• Gunning, S. 2024. “Building bridges”: Five nonprofit grant writers reflect on learning the profession. Proceedings of International conference on Professional Communication (IEEE Procomm) Pittsburgh. July 14-17. p. 288-293. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm61427.2024.0006