Devoney Looser

Devoney Looser is a Regents' Professor of English at Arizona State University (ASU), specializing in 18th and early 19th-century British literature and women's writing. She holds affiliations with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Global Sport Institute. Her research focuses on Jane Austen, literary history, and public humanities. Notable works include Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters (2022) and The Making of Jane Austen (2017). Looser has received prestigious awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and NEH Public Scholar designation. She teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including online courses on Jane Austen. Her public-facing work includes essays in major publications and lectures for The Great Courses. Beyond academia, Looser skates as 'Stone Cold Jane Austen' with roller derby teams and advises ASU's Derby Devils. She has been featured in media interviews and documentaries, advocating for accessible literary scholarship. Her upcoming book Wild for Austen (2025) further explores Austen's cultural legacy.

• Education: Extensive academic career with prior appointments at Indiana State University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Louisiana State University, and University of Missouri before joining ASU in 2013.
• Research Interests: Jane Austen's historical context, women's authorship, public humanities, and archival studies.
• Teaching: Over 30 years of experience, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and digital pedagogy.

Looser’s work bridges scholarly rigor and public engagement, evident in her media contributions, including articles for The New York Times and The Atlantic, as well as appearances on CNN. She actively participates in academic conferences and public lectures, promoting inclusive literary discourse.