Olivia McMurray

Olivia McMurray is a Ph.D. student in the School of Education with a focus on Language, Literacy, and Culture and a Designated Emphasis in Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies. Her research interests include critical AI studies, writing technologies, composition pedagogy, and writing program administration. Her most recent conference presentation examines the possibility of anthropomorphization and emotional dependence as a result of social chatbot usage.

With a strong commitment to the field of writing studies, Olivia McMurray is the copyeditor for the Journal of Writing Assessment Reading List and communications editor for Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy.

Prior to joining UC Davis, Olivia McMurray worked in Arizona State University’s first-year composition program.

Education

M.A. in English, Arizona State University
With Distinction

B.A. in Mass Communications and Media Studies, Arizona State University
Summa Cum Laude
Minors: English and Political Science

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, UC Davis
UWP 012: Writing & Visual Rhetoric

Writing Tutor, American River College

Writing Mentor (Teaching Assistant), The Writers’ Studio, College of Integrated Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University
Courses ENG 101, ENG 102

Editorial Experience

2025–Present: Copyeditor, Journal of Writing Assessment (JWA) Reading List

2026–Present: Communications Editor, Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy

Conference Presentations

McMurray, O. (2025, November). Foregrounding the risks of anthropomorphization and emotional dependence with generative AI: A call for safety. Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Service to the Field

2025–2026: Member, Vision Leadership Group, Critical Language Awareness (CLA) Collective

Reviewer, Computers & Writing Conference

Reviewer, Conference on College Composition and Communication