Sara Austin

Dr. Sara Austin is an Assistant Professor at Miami University's Department of English, beginning her first year in 2019. She teaches courses such as ENG 262: Children’s Literature and ENG 298: Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies. Her research explores themes like aliens in pop culture and masculinity in superhero cartoons, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on literature and cultural analysis.

Education: Sara Austin transitioned from Biomedical Engineering to English during her undergraduate studies. She earned her graduate degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Connecticut before entering academia. Prior to Miami, she taught high school for three years.

Teaching Philosophy: Austin employs a student-focused pedagogy with 20-minute activity blocks, emphasizing engagement and preparation. She praises Miami students for their active participation and reading habits, noting classroom activities rarely fail due to lack of preparation. She advises students to utilize resources like office hours and the library, highlighting their investment in education.

Literary Contributions: Austin recommends popular young adult fiction such as The Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard and anticipates reading Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, reflecting her interest in contemporary literary trends.