Megan Formato

About Megan

Megan Shields Formato is a lecturer in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford and a tutor in the Hume Center for Speaking and Writing. She holds a PhD in History of Science from Harvard University and a BA in English from Amherst College. As a historian of modern science and technology, Meg brings methods from book history, history of science, and literary theory to bear on questions about scientific communication and culture. In her research and teaching, she engages in sustained ways with both the history and rhetoric of science, teaching students to read scientific and technological sources as sets of choices made by their authors to persuade specific audiences and readers. Before coming to Stanford, Meg taught writing and research intensive courses at Harvard and MIT.

Areas of specialization: humanities, history, science and technology studies
Genre expertise: personal statements for graduate school applications, grant and fellowship applications
Enjoys coaching strategies for overcoming writer's block, brainstorming, revision

Contact

Office: Sweet 328
Phone: (650) 725-1218
mformato@stanford.edu

Office Hours

Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm PST
Also by appointment

Research Interests

Specialization: History of Science and Technology; Rhetoric of Science; Literature and Science; Science and Technology Studies; Scientific Writing Practices; Women and Science; Revision Practices