W. Oliver Baker

W. Oliver Baker is an Assistant Professor of English and African American Studies at Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Critical Race Theory, Critical Ethnic Studies, and the intersection of Racial Capitalism with Settler Colonialism in 19th-century American literature.

• PhD in American Literary Studies from University of New Mexico
• Recipient of prestigious Andrew W. Mellon and Hector Torres Fellowships
• Research explores how colonialism, slavery, and dispossession shaped U.S. capitalism through early ethnic American novels
• Teaching includes courses like Black Freedom Struggles (AFAM 100N-005)

His work engages national seminars at Cornell University's School of Criticism and Theory, the Newberry Library’s National Consortium in American Indian Studies, and Canada's Banff Research in Culture Program, alongside community organizing focused on mutual aid networks.