Ryan Murphy brings communication expertise to BIS

This fall, new BIS faculty member Ryan Murphy brings a background that began in philosophy and developed into a focus on how people connect and communicate in professional settings. 

“Before my PhD in Technical and Professional Communication, I started out in philosophy,” Murphy said. “One of the things I liked about it was thinking about the ways people present arguments, the ways they try to persuade others, and how ideas are communicated.” That interest carried forward into his work in communication, where he saw opportunities to pair his analytical background with practical, applied skills. 

“For me, it wasn’t about abandoning one area for another,” he said. “It was about finding a place where my skills and interests could connect in ways that were useful to students and to professional life.” 

Murphy said he is especially focused on helping students identify and communicate transferable skills — abilities gained through education, work, and life experience that can be applied across industries and roles. “A lot of students have more to offer than they realize,” he said. “Being able to name those skills and talk about them clearly can make a big difference.” 

His awareness of communication extends beyond the classroom into his everyday life. A self-described “cat person,” Murphy recalled searching for a new pet and paying close attention to how animal shelters wrote their adoption posts. “I even asked a few if they were using AI to write them,” he said. “I’m always curious about how messages are created and how tools like AI are becoming part of that process.” 

When it comes to teaching, Murphy said he enjoys helping students practice communication in ways they can use immediately. “The thing that I like about teaching business communication is that it’s so applicable,” he said. “You can see how it’s going to work for you, whether that’s in a job interview or working with colleagues or talking to a client.” 

Outside the classroom, Murphy enjoys staying active, especially through biking. He also has a love for cooking, which he says helps him unwind while giving him a chance to explore new flavors and techniques.