Elisabeth Gruner

Elisabeth Gruner is a Professor of English at the University of Richmond’s College of Arts & Sciences. She teaches Children’s Literature, Victorian Literature, and Creative Nonfiction Writing, while serving as Coordinator of Faculty Development in Teaching at the Faculty Hub for Teaching & Scholarship. Her past roles include Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences, Director of the Academic Advising Resources Center, and Coordinator of the First-Year Seminar Program.

Her research focuses on the intersection of young adult literature and educational pedagogy, particularly the "crisis in reading" and how YA literature shapes adolescent readers. She is a leading advocate for "ungrading" practices, which prioritize feedback and student self-assessment over traditional grading to reduce stress, enhance equity, and foster deeper learning. This approach has been widely discussed, including in her influential article on The Conversation.

Key themes in her publications include the role of symbolism in literature, relevance of classic texts like Shakespeare’s works, and the alchemical metaphor in storytelling. Her articles highlight interdisciplinary connections between literature, education, and reader psychology, emphasizing how texts empower critical thinking and personal growth.