Derek Thiess

Dr. Derek Thiess is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of North Georgia's College of Arts & Letters. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His research focuses on embodiment in speculative genres, particularly science fiction and horror, with publications in Science Fiction Studies, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, and ISLE.

Dr. Thiess teaches courses such as ENGL 1101/1102 (composition), ENGL 2160 (Multicultural American Literature), and others. His scholarly work explores themes like monstrosity, gender/age dynamics in speculative fiction, and alternate history narratives. He is the author of three books: Sport and Monstrosity in Science Fiction (2019), Embodying Gender and Age in Speculative Fiction (2016), and Relativism, Alternate History, and the Forgetful Reader (2014).

While no awards or grants are explicitly listed, his publications highlight contributions to literary analysis and genre studies. He resides in Oconee with his family and practices judo and jujutsu.