Michelle Burnham

Michelle Burnham is a Professor in the Department of English at Santa Clara University's College of Arts and Sciences. She specializes in early American literature, transoceanic early modern literature, Native American literature, and the novel. Her research examines colonial writing within global economic systems and cultural exchange dynamics.

Burnham's research interests focus on:

• Transoceanic connections in early modern literature
• Native American literary traditions
• The development of the novel form
• Critical theory applications to historical texts
• Cultural exchange in American literature

Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on economic and political dimensions of colonial literature, with recent work exploring aesthetic representations of dissent and indigenous narrative forms. The research spans from 17th-century Puritan writings to contemporary Native American fiction.

She teaches courses including early American literature, Native American literature, the novel, and popular culture. Her pedagogical approach connects historical texts to contemporary critical frameworks.