Walter Spezzano

Go to eVVZ for Walter Spezzano's current lectures.

About

Dr. Walter Spezzano is an assistant professor in the Department of Business Communication at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, where he is a member of the Institute for Language and Discourse in Business.

Trained across Italy and the United States, he earned a BA in English Linguistics and American Studies from L’Orientale University of Naples, followed by an MS in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a PhD in Business Communication from the University of Palermo. His graduate training was complemented by extensive study and research at Florida International University.

Prior to joining the Vienna University of Economics and Business, he was a postdoctoral research fellow and adjunct professor at the University of Palermo. He also taught in the Semester at Sea study abroad program, administered by the Institute for Shipboard Education in partnership with Colorado State University, during its Spring 2026 voyage across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Teaching

Key pillars of Dr. Spezzano’s teaching philosophy include experiential learning and critical thinking. He seeks to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios, aiming to foster students’ ability to critically analyze how language and discourse operate across different professional, social, and cultural settings.

Research Interests

An applied linguist, Dr. Spezzano investigates language and discourse in business, particularly in digital contexts. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative approaches, his research primarily examines marketing and consumer discourse, with a specific focus on brand, tourism, and food discourse.

A full list of publications and research activities can be found in PURE.