Leah Marie Becker

Dr. Leah Marie Becker is a Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, part of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on 19th-century American literature with emphases on ecocriticism, environmental humanities, and domestic ideology. She holds a PhD in English Literature from UIUC (2024), MA from NYU (2017), and BA from University of Portland (2014).

Her current book project traces the origins of eco-conscious consumer behavior through 19th-century domestic literature and white femininity. Notable publications include Studies in American Fiction and Edge Effects.

Recipient of teaching awards including the 2021 UIUC Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. Active in grantsmanship with recent awards like the Dr. Nina Baym Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2023-2024) and Schlesinger Library Dissertation Grant (2022-2023).

Teaches courses on American literature, rhetoric, and 19th-century fiction. Courses include ENGL 250: Nineteenth Century American Fiction and ENGL 255: Early American Literature and Culture.