Wanda Balzano

Wanda Balzano is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Wake Forest University and Founding Chair of the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She holds a PhD from University College Dublin (National University of Ireland), along with multiple MA and BA degrees from Istituto Universitario Orientale in Naples, Italy. Her research focuses on Anglo-Irish Studies, Women’s Literature, and interdisciplinary cultural analysis, particularly exploring Italian influences on English literature and gender studies in film and art.

Her scholarly work includes edited volumes such as Writing Exile: Women, the Arts, and Technologies (2013) and Irish Postmodernisms and Popular Culture (2007). She teaches courses ranging from British literature to feminist leadership and transnational gender studies, including ACE-designated community engagement courses like Inclusive Public Spaces.

Dr. Balzano’s academic leadership includes founding and chairing the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary feminist scholarship and institutional development. She has also collaborated on special journal issues and international academic projects.