He teaches courses in media history and law, digital journalism, writing, reporting and editing. He earned a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1997 and joined the UWW faculty in 2007. Trained as a historian, his research specialty is the role of writers and editors in social movements, particularly natural-resources conservation in the early 20th century. His book, "Planning a Wilderness," was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2001. Dr. Kates has 25 years of experience as an editor at metropolitan newspapers, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.