Robert Kachur

Robert Kachur is Professor of English at McDaniel College, where he has taught diverse literature and writing courses for over twenty years, including horror fiction, British Romantic poetry, apocalyptic texts, and humor writing since 2019.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Nineteenth-Century British Literature from University of Wisconsin Madison (1996)
• M.A. in English Literature from University of Wisconsin Madison (1990)
• B.A. in English from University of Virginia (1983)

Dr. Kachur's research bridges Gothic horror, trauma studies, and humor theory with focused analyses of Edgar Allan Poe's works, British Romanticism, and contemporary pop culture. His scholarship examines psychological and sociological dimensions of narrative, particularly how horror processes societal anxieties and humor impacts human behavior.

His publications reveal consistent thematic threads: Poe's psychological complexity, Gothic adaptations in modern media like Twin Peaks, and interdisciplinary explorations of cultural symbols (e.g., candy in children's literature). Recent work expands into humor writing pedagogy and comedy production.

His academic honors include:

• Ira G. Zepp Outstanding Teaching Award
• Faculty Scholarly Publications Award
• Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant Award

Dr. Kachur actively mentors students through the Poe Club and research collaborations, notably co-authoring work with Cam Ostrander. His grant-funded projects enhance teaching innovation, while student testimonials highlight transformative classroom experiences. He is currently developing an interdisciplinary comedy program integrating writing, performance, and film production.