Alfred Snider

Born in California, Professor Snider attended Brown University, Emerson College and the University of Kansas. He has been the Edwin W. Lawrence Professor of Forensics at the University of Vermont since 1982. He studies active communication situations, especially argumentation, persuasion and debate, and how they can lead to more just, peaceful and convivial futures. He teaches courses in the role of communication in influence and civic engagement along with the study of rhetoric. Dr. Snider directs the Lawrence Debate Union and the World Debate Institute. He is the coach of the USA national team for the World Schools Debate Championship. He has done debate training in over forty-five countries. He manages large Internet sites, has hosted 485+ television and thousands of radio programs, and designs and implements training programs to increase critical thinking and critical advocacy in a variety of settings.