PhD project: Silent Deliberation – Between Deliberative Ideals and a Rhetoric of Silence
Democracy assumes not only the right to speak, but the act of speaking itself. The loudest voices often draw the most attention, while silence and quieter forms of expression are easily dismissed as withdrawal or disengagement. Yet pauses, hesitation, delayed responses, fragmented or questioning speech, strong emotions, or even a deliberate refusal to respond can be intentional acts that shape democratic interaction. In this project, I investigate how rhetorical practices involving silence are handled by participants and facilitators in democratic deliberation. The aim is to examine how such rhetorical practices affect who is taken seriously and whose contributions are recognized as legitimate in democratic dialogue, and to generate knowledge that can inform and promote more inclusive understandings and practices of participation.
Previous teaching
- RETKOM1102 – Tekst og kommunikasjon, seminar leader (2023).
Background
Master´s degree in Rhetoric, Language and Communication (2024), Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo.
Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies (2013), Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo.
Other
- Board member, Retorisk nettverk, University of Oslo (RETKOM alumni network).