Stephanie Soileau

Stephanie Soileau is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Arts at the University of Chicago, where she teaches creative writing and explores themes of environmental collapse and cultural identity. Her work bridges fiction, folklore, and ecological critique, focusing on Louisiana's socio-environmental complexities.

• Education: MFA, Iowa Writers' Workshop

Soileau's research examines solastalgia—the psychic distress of environmental transformation—and interrogates how myths, historical fiction, and regional narratives shape human relationships with contested spaces. Her forthcoming novel Should the Waters Take Us (2026) traces generational trauma through the lens of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Her recent publications span short stories and op-eds that analyze Louisiana's oil economy, climate crises, and marginalized communities. These works frequently appear in prestigious outlets such as Granta, Zoetrope: All-Story, and The New York Times, with several honored in Best American Short Stories.

• Scientific Awards: Wallace Stegner Fellowship (Stanford University), Camargo Foundation Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship

Soileau mentors students in fiction workshops, nonfiction, and digital literature, supporting diverse projects like narrative video games and spiritual essays. Her teaching emphasizes eclectic research, regional authenticity, and experimentation across genres.