Helloooo
I'm an interdisciplinary teacher, researcher, and lifelong student currently working at Northeastern University. My research areas include persuasive communication, digital media, food and drink rhetorics, and generative artificial intelligence.
Read my blog at mcalibai.substack.com!
My Story
My journey has always been interdisciplinary. After transitioning from secondary education to professional writing, I discovered a unique path to unite my major passions through a participatory research project examining rhetorical practices in the food and drink industry. As a certified sommelier and community-engaged researcher, I’ve had the privilege of listening to revelational stories of diverse innovators in the wine industry. The stories I’ve been told have shaped my understanding of knowledge development, ultimately steering my work toward amplifying stories often overlooked.
My previous research project examined how leaders in the wine industry have responded to recent social and cultural shifts by adopting sustainable practices such as regenerative viticulture, biodiversity, and social reciprocity. These practices not only advance socioenvironmental ethics but also represent a return to the original intentions Indigenous peoples had for these lands—grounding modern innovation in ancestral knowledge of stewardship. The wine industry’s shift from acceleration-driven models to more community-oriented approaches has inspired my interest in applying similar frameworks to higher education. However, as I investigate Indigenous knowledge systems, principles, and practices, I am committed to highlighting the contributions of Indigenous scholars, addressing a need for recognition that has been overlooked in other industries.
I'm from Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 2024 to pursue pedagogical research in the development of modern systems for public communication and rhetoric. As the world of communication undergoes a transformative shift into a new age of generative composition, I apply active learning goals and experimental teaching methods to explore interdisciplinary rhetorical strategies for modern communicators. My goal is to help people learn how to express and communicate ideas using the most effective, responsive, and human-centered rhetorical strategies of the age.
As a research mentor, I welcome any students who are passionate about their interests and devoted to community-engaged goals. Students researching subjects in sustainability, women's healthcare, queer culture, business ethics, and generative AI are especially encouraged to reach out to me.