Vanderbilt University

Dr. John P. Koch is an internationally recognized debate coach and scholar. Currently, he is the Director of Debate of Vanderbilt University’s internationally renowned and award-winning debate program and a Co-Director of Dialogue Vanderbilt’s Civil Discourse Lab. He has served as chair of the National Communication Association’s Argumentation and Forensics Division and the Committee on International Discussion and Debate. His research has appeared in Contemporary Argumentation and Debate, the National Forensics Journal, Studies in Debate and Oratory, and various book chapters. He has conducted debate trainings around the world, in places such as Japan and Rwanda. He has also been published or quoted in various news publications regarding political debates, including The Boston Globe, The Hill, and The Washington Post.

Why Debate?

I am part of the first generation of my family to attend college. Debate gave me the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in college. Without debate, I would not be the person I am today.