Is There a Place for Technical Communication in the Public Sphere?
http://www.cptsc.org/conferences/2002/AbsWeb3.htm#rude
  peer-reviewed

Rude, Carolyn D.
CPTSC Proceedings
2002

Abstract:

Programs in technical communication have, at least in their recent history, emphasized the preparation of students for corporate positions. We claim the ubiquity and relevance of our work to all areas of life, and indeed it is easy enough to find examples of 'technical communication' everywhere. But this observation is not the same as observing that there is a role for technical communicators everywhere.