Colin Jager

Colin Jager is a Professor of English and Director of the Center for Cultural Analysis at Rutgers University since 2000. He specializes in Romantic literature, secularism, literature and philosophy, and theories of consciousness. Jager holds a PhD from the University of Michigan (2000) and has served as Interim Chair of the English Department and a Leverhulme Visiting Professor at Lancaster University (2018).

Research Interests: Jager’s work bridges literature, religion, and secular studies. His research explores secularism’s impact on modernity, Romanticism’s conceptual frameworks, and intersections of cognitive science with literary theory. Key themes include secular modernity’s discontents, post-secular theory, and cognitive approaches to consciousness. His books include *The Book of God* (2007) and *Unquiet Things* (2015).

Recent Articles: Jager’s recent work focuses on panpsychism in Romanticism, secularism’s literary dimensions, and rethinking religious belief. His articles analyze texts by Shelley, Byron, and Coleridge, emphasizing their engagement with secular critique and metaphysical inquiry.

Awards & Leadership: Jager’s interdisciplinary leadership includes directing the Center for Cultural Analysis, fostering collaborations across humanities disciplines. His edited volumes, such as *Working with A Secular Age* (2016), reflect his engagement with Charles Taylor’s theories. He regularly contributes to academic debates on religion, literature, and political thought.

Teaching: Jager teaches Romantic literature, secular studies, and theory courses, emphasizing close reading and interdisciplinary approaches. His courses include *Romanticism and Consciousness* and *Secularism from the Enlightenment to Romanticism*.