Laura M. Furlan

Laura M. Furlan is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, within the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Her scholarly work centers on Native and Indigenous Studies, American Studies, and creative nonfiction, with a strong focus on urban Indian narratives and autobiographical forms.

Education:

• B.A. in American Studies, University of Iowa
• M.A. in English, San Diego State University
• Ph.D. in English, University of California, Santa Barbara

Her research explores the intersections of Native identity, relocation histories, and literary expression, particularly in urban contexts. She is deeply engaged with Indigenous epistemologies, decolonial methodologies, and the role of archives in contemporary Native writing. Her interdisciplinary work spans literary criticism, cultural studies, and creative nonfiction.

Her publications reflect a sustained commitment to amplifying Native voices through scholarly and editorial projects, including special issues on new Native writing and critical analyses of memoirs like Bad Indians. Her book Indigenous Cities (2017) is a foundational contribution to the field of urban Native fiction.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Laura M. Furlan has co-edited significant special issues and published widely in journals such as Studies in American Indian Literatures, Intertexts, and Yellow Medicine Review. While specific grant funding is not mentioned, her editorial and publication record suggests active research support and scholarly leadership. She mentors emerging Native writers and contributes to academic discourse through interdisciplinary collaborations.

She is affiliated with research communities focused on transnational Native American Studies and Indigenous literary production, though specific labs or formal research teams are not named in the text.