Susan Whitney

Susan Whitney is a Professor of History at Carleton University, specializing in global youth history, 20th-century French history, and women’s and gender history. She holds degrees from Princeton (B.A., magna cum laude), Brown (M.A.), and Rutgers (Ph.D.). Her research examines intersections of youth culture, political movements, and gender dynamics in modern France. Recent publications include articles on post-1968 cultural memory, secularism debates, and suffragette legacies. She teaches courses such as HIST 2508: France Since 1889 and HIST 5803: History of Women, Gender and Sexuality. She was awarded the 2017-2018 Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award for her supervisory excellence.

• Education: Princeton University (B.A.), Brown University (M.A.), Rutgers University (Ph.D.)
• Research Interests: Global youth mobilization, French historical narratives, feminist critiques of secularism, and transnational women’s activism
• Public Engagement: Delivered lectures at the Canadian War Museum and CBC Radio on topics like children in war and gender integration in military contexts

Her publications blend empirical rigor with interdisciplinary approaches, analyzing how historical events shape modern debates on identity and governance. Recent articles highlight tensions between secularism and gender equality, while her book Mobilizing Youth remains a seminal study of interwar French political movements.