Elizabeth A Pentland

Elizabeth A Pentland is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at York University, Canada, and currently serves as the Associate Dean, Academic for the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (2024–present). She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Stanford University, and M.A. and B.A. degrees from the University of Toronto. Her research specializes in Renaissance literature and Shakespeare, focusing on transnational literary exchanges between England and France during the French civil wars. She is particularly known for her work on the emergence of the 'French Cannibal' trope in early modern English literature and her analyses of French women in Shakespeare’s plays.

Her teaching expertise includes courses on Shakespeare, global adaptations of his works, Early Modern political theory, and travel literature. She has been nominated for both the LA&PS Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the President's University-Wide Teaching Award. She also contributes to the Stratford Seminar Society, a community group collaborating with the Stratford Festival.

Her scholarship spans refereed articles, book chapters, encyclopedia entries, and reviews. Recent publications include contributions to Palgrave Encyclopedia of Global Shakespeare and analyses of French responses to the Battle of Agincourt in King Henry V. Her work explores themes of cultural negotiation, national identity, and early modern political thought.

Elizabeth’s research interests intersect with travel literature, Reformation Studies, and the French Wars of Religion. She has presented at conferences such as the Shakespeare Association of America, addressing topics like global Shakespearean performance ethics and the role of embodied difference in theatrical production.