Mark McGurl

Mark McGurl is the Albert Guérard Professor of Literature and Professor of English at Stanford University. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Johns Hopkins University (1998) and an A.B. in Literature from Harvard University (1989). His research explores the intersection of literature with social and educational institutions since the late 19th century, emphasizing postmodern American literature and the impact of creative writing programs. Notable works include The Program Era (2009), winner of the Truman Capote Award, and Everything and Less (2021).

Education:

• Ph.D., Comparative Literature, Johns Hopkins University, 1998
• A.B., Literature, Harvard University, 1989

McGurl’s research interests span the history of the novel, contemporary American literature, and the institutional frameworks shaping literary production. His work critiques how creative writing programs and digital platforms like Amazon influence literary forms and cultural consumption.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism (2011)
• Office of the President Fellowship, University of California
• Stanford Humanities Center Fellowship

His teaching includes courses on modern literature and postmodern narratives, such as Intro to English III: Modern Literature and Wastelands. He previously worked at the New York Times and the New York Review of Books before entering academia.