Ken Hiltner

Ken Hiltner is a Professor in the English Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He serves as Director of the Environmental Humanities Center (EHC) and has previously directed the Literature and the Environment Center and the Early Modern Center. His work bridges Renaissance literature with ecocriticism, focusing on historical environmental thought.

• Education: Ph.D. from Harvard University
• Key Roles: Director of Environmental Humanities Center, Director of Literature and Environment Initiative, Chair of Graduate Program
• Research Focus: Ecocriticism, Renaissance Environmental Thought, Climate Change Communication

Hiltner's academic career follows a unique path as a second-generation woodworker who transitioned from furniture-making to literary scholarship. He has taught courses like ENGL 22: Western Traditions and ENGL 23/24: Climate Crisis courses that examine environmental challenges through literary and historical lenses.

Scientific awards include:

• Bowdoin Prize (Harvard University)