Brandon Erby to present Gaines Lecture for Outstanding Research on incarceration and digital storytelling
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2026) — Brandon Erby, Ph.D., assistant professor in writing, rhetoric and digital studies in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, will present this year’s Gaines Lecture for Outstanding Research in the Humanities.
Erby’s lecture, titled “Digitizing Prison Dreams: Incarcerated Podcasters and their Views on Freedom,” will highlight research from his award-winning, peer-reviewed article, “Imagining Freedom: Cultural Rhetorics, Digital Literacies, and Podcasting in Prison.” His work examines how incarcerated individuals use principles of writing and rhetoric to challenge dominant narratives about incarceration and leverage digital platforms such as podcasting to tell their stories, engage in social commentary and imagine more just futures for themselves and society.
The Gaines Lecture for Outstanding Research in the Humanities spotlights innovative scholarship connected to the Gaines Center’s annual theme and celebrates excellence in humanities research at UK.
The Gaines Lecture for Outstanding Research in the Humanities featuring Erby will be 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music in Lexington. The lecture is free and open to the public. Reserve your spot.
Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities serves as a hub for imaginative and interdisciplinary education at the University of Kentucky. The center is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the humanities and supporting innovative research, teaching and creative work across campus.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.