About
Joshua Bennett is a Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at MIT. His work bridges poetry, literary scholarship, and social justice, focusing on Black American experiences. He holds a Marshall Scholarship and was a Junior Fellow at Harvard University's Society of Fellows.
Education:
- Marshall Scholar (United Kingdom)
- Society of Fellows at Harvard University
Research Interests: Bennett explores intersections of race, literature, and social justice through poetry and critical analysis. His work reimagines canonical texts and contemporary issues, emphasizing oral traditions and performative elements. Recent projects include Spoken Word: A Cultural History and curatorial initiatives like The Bond of Live Things Everywhere.
Awards:
- Guggenheim Fellowship
- Whiting Award
- National Endowed for the Arts Fellowship
- Lucille Clifton Poetry Prize
Grants & Leadership: Directs the June Jordan Fellowship, supports emerging writers. Recent grants include the Josephine de Karman Fellowship. His work has been featured at the White House and in major literary journals.
Labs/Initiatives: Curates public performance spaces that center Black poetry and environmental connections, such as The Bond of Live Things Everywhere.
