Alison Gulley

Alison Gulley is a Professor in the Department of English at Appalachian State University, where she has taught since 2008. She serves as Honors Director and is a member of the Graduate Faculty and affiliate of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. Her teaching portfolio includes advanced courses in Medieval Literature, History of the English Language, and British Literature.

Her academic credentials include a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and M.A./Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Gulley's research centers on Old and Middle English literature with pioneering work in medieval gender studies, particularly through hagiographical texts. She has significantly expanded into medievalism, examining post-medieval receptions of the medieval period—from Chaucer's influence on Harry Potter to Appalachian cultural identity. Her monograph on Ælfric's hagiography won the Southeastern Medieval Association's Best First Book Award, and her edited volume on teaching medieval rape narratives addresses critical pedagogical challenges.

Analysis of her 25-year publication record reveals consistent interdisciplinary innovation, bridging medieval scholarship with contemporary cultural theory, gender studies, and regional identity politics. Her work demonstrates increasing engagement with American cultural landscapes while maintaining rigorous philological foundations.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Southeastern Medieval Association's Best First Book Award (2014)

As Graduate Faculty member, Dr. Gulley advises M.A. students in English though specific advisees aren't documented in available sources. She currently directs the English Department's Honors program, shaping curriculum and mentoring high-achieving undergraduates. Her ongoing research explores rural American adaptations of Beowulf and Appalachian medievalism.