Erica Johnson

Erica Johnson is a Professor and Associate Chairperson in the Department of English at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University, New York City. Her academic work bridges literary scholarship with critical cultural analysis, focusing on Caribbean literature, postcolonial theory, and cultural memory.

• BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton College
• MA in Comparative Literature from University of Washington
• PhD in Comparative Literature from University of California, Davis

Her research centers on Caribbean literary traditions, archival practices, and reparative writing, particularly how literature engages with historical trauma and collective memory. She explores intersections of gender, shame, and identity in postcolonial contexts, with a strong emphasis on contemporary Caribbean women writers and artists.

Her recent publications reflect a trend in counter-archival creativity, analyzing works by Dionne Brand, M. NourbeSe Philip, and La Vaughn Belle. These studies highlight literary and artistic interventions that challenge colonial archives and reframe historical narratives through poetic and narrative innovation.

Notable awards include the 2024 Mellon Foundation support and the 2021 Camargo Foundation Fellowship, underscoring the significance and impact of her scholarly contributions.

She mentors students through independent studies and internships, contributing to academic development in literature and cultural studies. Her research has been supported by competitive private fellowships, reflecting external validation of her innovative interdisciplinary work.

While no specific lab or research team is mentioned, her collaborative presentations and editorial projects suggest active engagement in scholarly communities focused on time, memory, and postcolonial aesthetics.