Her research focuses on rhetoric and culture in the management and practice of safety in dangerous occupations, with a particular emphasis on communication in wildland firefighting. Her research has appeared in journal such as “Communication Monographs, Leadership,” and “Management Communication Quarterly,” where she now serves on the editorial board. Committed to the cause of wildland fire safety, Professor Ziegler has helped in the planning of other IAWF conferences such as the Human Dimensions Conference and the Wildland Fire Safety Summit.