Jaime Harker is a Professor of English and Director of the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies at the University of Mississippi. She specializes in American literature, LGBTQ literature, and gender studies. Her research explores topics such as Japanese translation, Cold War gay literature, and women’s liberation movements. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Temple University (1998), and M.A. and B.A. degrees from Brigham Young University (1993 and 1989, respectively). Her notable works include America the Middlebrow , Middlebrow Queer , and The Oprah Affect . She has edited volumes on queer literature, Faulkner, and feminist print culture. Her upcoming monograph, The Lesbian South , examines Southern queer literary canons and feminist activism. Her academic contributions span literary criticism, cultural studies, and pedagogy. She has published widely on topics such as Oprah’s Book Club’s cultural impact, Faulkner’s sexualities, and 20th-century LGBTQ literary movements. She actively engages in interdisciplinary research, linking Southern studies with global cultural contexts.
Matthew Lester Eatough is Associate Professor of English and Affiliate Faculty of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY), within the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. He teaches courses on twentieth- and twenty-first century novels, publishing and book history, world literature, and African literature, with recent Spring 2025 offerings including The Global Business of Lit and Horror Fiction. His educational background features a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Vanderbilt University, an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in English/History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This interdisciplinary foundation informs his cross-cultural research approach. Eatough's research centers on global modernisms through African and Irish literary lenses, examining corporate ideology in contemporary African fiction, globalization of Irish literature, and translated fiction in Anglo-American small presses. His work consistently interrogates how literary forms engage with world-systems theory, postcolonial economies, and infrastructural time, revealing connections between cultural production and global power structures. Particular attention is paid to small-press networks as sites of transnational literary circulation. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory from modernist studies to contemporary global literature, with increasing focus on African science fiction and Irish literary networks. A recurring theme is the role of cultural institutions (like the Goethe-Institut) in shaping literary futures, while his book projects analyze corporate influence in African fiction and the international networks of Irish literature. His scientific recognition includes: Abioseh Porter Best Essay Award (2019) from the African Literature Association Margaret Church Modern Fiction Studies Memorial Prize (2016) Shortlisting for Modernist Studies Association Best Book Award (2013) Robert Manson Myers Graduate Award for Best Dissertation Prospectus (2011) Rose Alley Press Award (2010) John M. Aden Award for Best Graduate Paper (2009) Phi Beta Kappa (2004) Eatough has secured eight consecutive PSC-CUNY research grants (2015-2023) totaling over $35,000, supporting projects on small presses, translation, and global literary networks. His current grant-funded work examines Irish fiction in small presses and the Goethe-Institut's role in African literary futurity. While specific graduate students aren't listed, his extensive teaching of Global Studies Capstone courses and independent studies demonstrates significant undergraduate mentorship in global literary studies. He serves as Committee Chair for Baruch's Global Studies Minor and co-edits special journal issues, including Literary Geographies' 'Geographies of African Futures' (2022). His professional activities include editorial board membership for NANO: New American Notes Online and active participation in the Modernist Studies Association as Treasurer.
Alice Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Literature and History at the University of Warwick . As the Co-Convenor of the English and History degree , she is actively involved in interdisciplinary teaching and research. Education: BA in English Literature, University of Sussex MSt in English and American Studies, University of Oxford PhD in English Literature, University of Cambridge Her research expertise lies in twentieth-century literary and cultural history , particularly Anglo-American modernism and literary and cultural memory, especially of war . She is the author of Commemorative Modernisms: Women Writers, Death and the First World War (2020) and has edited a special issue on American First World War Literature (2022). Her recent publications and public engagement explore the intersection of literature, memory, and cultural history , including commentary on The Great Gatsby and its centenary significance . She has also contributed to discussions on contemporary fiction , reviewing works such as Orbital and James . She has received multiple scientific awards , including the British Academy Rising Stars Engagement Award , the Women in the Humanities Fellowship at TORCH Oxford , and the Fox International Fellowship at Yale University .
Scott Herring is Professor of American Studies and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Yale University. His scholarship focuses on LGBTQ studies, queer theory, and material culture through interdisciplinary approaches. His research examines queer anti-urbanism, material deviance, critical age studies, and LGBTQ cultural production. He investigates how sexuality intersects with space, material objects, and temporalities across American cultural history. Professor Herring has received significant recognition including the Lambda Literary Award and NEH Fellowship. His publications explore diverse topics from hoarding cultures to queer modernist aesthetics, demonstrating innovative approaches to LGBTQ cultural studies.
Dr Rory O'Bryen is an Associate Professor of Latin American Literature and Culture at the Spanish & Portuguese Department of the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, University of Cambridge. He teaches courses on Latin American cultural studies and literature, with a focus on Colombian history and modern cultural narratives. Department: Spanish & Portuguese College affiliation: King's College Editorial role: One of the editors of the Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies His research interests include: Modern Latin American culture Nineteenth- and twentieth-century Colombian literature Political violence and memory Transnational cultural studies Environmental humanities in Latin America Representation of national identity Dr O'Bryen's publication history reveals strong trends in: Colombian cultural analysis River studies (particularly the Magdalena River) Postconflict narratives Ecological and infrastructural themes Intercultural literary theory Visual culture and political conflict As an academic supervisor, he has guided doctoral research on diverse topics including: Literature and film of the Cuban Revolution Prison writing in Latin America Latin American literary engagements with Nazism Ecological themes in Latin American art Post-1960s Latin American errancy writing Contemporary Latin American horrorism narratives
Megan J. Elias is an Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Food Studies Program at Boston University. She holds a PhD from the City University of New York (CUNY), an MA from San Francisco State University, and a BA from Cornell University. Her research explores the intersection of food, culture, and history, with a focus on food writing, markets, home economics, and gender. Dr. Elias is the author of seven books, including *Food on the Page: Cookbooks and American Culture* (2017) and *Food in the United States, 1890–1945* (2009), which received the American Library Association’s Outstanding Academic Text award. She serves as editor-in-chief of *Food, Culture & Society* and has been a co-recipient of multiple National Endowment for the Humanities grants. Elias teaches courses such as *History of Food*, *Introduction to Gastronomy*, and *Food and Gender*, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Her work bridges historical analysis with public engagement, including contributions to Sundance Channel’s *Love/Lust* series and collaborations on museum podcasts like the *Making Objects Speech* project. Her research interests span business history, cultural history, food technology, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. In grants and fellowships, she secured $350,000 as Lead Faculty Mentor for the *Bridging Historias* program and a $74,937 NEH grant for the *Foodways and Humanities Project*. Her awards include the CUNY Chancellor’s Fellowship (2014) and the Culinary Historians of New York Amelia Scholars Grant (2007). She actively mentors faculty and curricular development, reflecting her commitment to academic innovation and educational equity.
Adrienne Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Chicago, specializing in Race, Diaspora and Indigeneity. Teaching since 2011, she also serves as Faculty Director of Arts + Public Life, a South Side Chicago initiative fostering neighborhood vibrancy through arts and community engagement. Her educational background includes: Ph.D., Princeton University, 2011 Professor Brown's research centers on Critical Race Studies, African American Literature, and Urban Studies, with a focus on the twentieth century. She examines how architecture and spatial environments shape racial perception, drawing on Harlem and Chicago Renaissances, Modernism, and Post-45 literature. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates cultural studies, visual culture, sound studies, and the history of property to analyze the racial sensorium in American cultural production. Her publications reveal a trajectory from skyscrapers ( The Black Skyscraper , 2017) to mass homeownership ( The Residential is Racial , 2024), investigating how built environments mediate race. Articles like "Appraisal Narratives" and "The Architecture of Racial Phenomena" dissect midcentury racial dynamics in urban spaces. She employs literary and bureaucratic archives to trace race's evolving definition, value, and perception, contributing to fields of American Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Architectural History. Awards: Modernist Studies Association’s 2018 First Book Prize for The Black Skyscraper While specific graduate students are unlisted, Brown has mentored through her courses and co-edited volumes. Her leadership in Arts + Public Life suggests significant community grants, though detailed funding sources are not specified in the provided text. As Faculty Director of Arts + Public Life, she spearheads a dynamic hub on Chicago's South Side that cultivates neighborhood vibrancy through arts programming, community partnerships, and public space activation.
David Wheatley is a Professor at the University of Aberdeen's School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture. A distinguished poet and critic, he has made significant contributions to contemporary poetry, Irish literature studies, and Samuel Beckett scholarship. Wheatley's research focuses on twentieth-century and contemporary poetry, with special emphasis on Irish literature and Samuel Beckett. His scholarly work spans creative production and critical analysis, demonstrating deep engagement with both historical and contemporary poetic forms. He has published extensively in major literary journals including the London Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, and Poetry Review. His recent publications reveal a diverse scholarly trajectory spanning poetry collections, critical works, and editorial projects. Wheatley has established himself as a major voice in contemporary poetry criticism while maintaining an active creative practice that bridges Irish and British literary traditions. Notable awards: Rooney Prize for Irish Literature (1997) Poetry Book Society Recommendation (2023) Sunday Times Poetry Book of the Year (2023) Wheatley serves as co-editor of significant scholarly works including The Cambridge History of Irish Women's Poetry (2021). He was a founding editor of the poetry journal Metre and has contributed to numerous literary anthologies such as The Penguin Book of Irish Poetry and The Oxford Handbook of Modern Irish Poetry . His academic work demonstrates sustained commitment to both creative and critical dimensions of contemporary literary culture.
Tie Xiao serves as Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Indiana University's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, where his research investigates modern Chinese literature within transnational intellectual and political frameworks, focusing on intersections between human sciences, literature, and historical contexts across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Chinese Studies from University of Chicago (2011) MA from University of Wisconsin–Madison (2005) BA from Peking University (2002) Xiao's scholarship critically examines enduring tensions in modern thought—reason versus intuition, solitude versus solidarity, and energy versus fatigue—tracing their manifestations through literary genres, disciplinary boundaries, and geographic borders. His interdisciplinary humanistic approach reveals how these conceptual conflicts persist within Chinese intellectual history, particularly through analyses of revolutionary movements and mass psychology. His publication trajectory from 2012-2019 demonstrates sustained engagement with political crowds and intellectual history in modern China, highlighted by the monograph Revolutionary Waves: The Crowd in Modern China (2017) and co-edited special issue on contemporary political crowds (2013). Articles consistently analyze key thinkers like Zhu Qianzhi while exploring self-writing, revolutionary imagination, and cross-cultural literary exchanges, with recurring emphasis on how figurative language mediates political concepts across cultural contexts. His scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition: Fellowship, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peking University, China (2019 Fall) New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities Experimentation Fellowship, Indiana University (2018) Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University (2017) Fellowship, Nantes Institute for Advanced Study, France (2015) Junior Scholar Grant, Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation (2014-2015) CAHI Faculty Fellowship, Indiana University (2014) Postdoctoral Fellowship, UC Berkeley Center for Chinese Studies (2011-2012) As Director of Undergraduate Studies, Xiao oversees curriculum development and student advising for East Asian Languages and Cultures majors, teaching courses ranging from Popular Culture in East Asia to Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature. His research has been supported by competitive grants from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation, Nantes Institute, and multiple Indiana University fellowships, reflecting sustained institutional investment in his transnational humanities scholarship.
Christopher L. Hill is Professor of Modern Japanese Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan. His scholarly work bridges Japanese studies, comparative literature, and intellectual history with a focus on transnational literary and intellectual currents from the nineteenth century to the present. Research Interests: Hill's research centers on the global circulation of literary forms and intellectual concepts. He investigates how genres like the novel travel across borders and how concepts such as 'civilization' and 'culture' become universalized. His work spans Japanese, French, and American contexts while emphasizing intra-Asian connections among Japan, Korea, mainland China, and Taiwan. Hill is particularly fascinated by the 'flow of ideas and literary forms around the world in the modern age,' examining nationalist thought, Japanese intellectuals' views of Asia in the post-imperial postwar era, and the 'Bandung moment' of the 1950s-1960s when decolonizing countries sought to form political and cultural relations outside European and North American frameworks. Publication Trends: Hill's scholarship consistently explores transnational literary history, particularly the movement and transformation of naturalist fiction across global contexts. His work challenges conventional diffusion models by demonstrating the complex, multi-directional pathways through which literary forms travel and transform. Rather than focusing on origination and reception, Hill emphasizes the 'conditions of travel' that enable unexpected transformations of literary forms as they cross cultural boundaries. His recent work has increasingly focused on Japan's relationship with the Global South and anti-colonial movements. Current Projects: "Facing South: Japanese Writers in the Bandung Moment" - examining Japanese writers' responses to decolonization in Africa and Asia during the 1950s-1970s Research on Japanese writers' participation in the Afro-Asian Writers Association and literary conferences following the 1955 Bandung Conference Studies on the reception of Frantz Fanon in Japan during the 1960s Teaching: Hill teaches undergraduate courses on the modern Japanese novel, cultural history of postwar Japan, modernism, samurai representations, and contemporary Japanese social issues. His graduate seminars cover modern Japanese fiction, literature and social theory, cultural history, and the novel in global context. His courses frequently incorporate film, anime, visual art, and philosophy alongside literary texts.
Maria DiBattista serves as Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Princeton University, where she also chairs the Committee for Film Studies and holds membership in the women’s studies faculty. Her academic base is in 32 McCosh Hall, with Spring 2025 office hours held Mondays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and by appointment. Her research spans twentieth century literature and film, European novel traditions, narrative theory, British modernism, and contemporary cultural studies. She explores intersections between high and popular culture, with deep expertise in Virginia Woolf’s oeuvre and classical Hollywood comedy. Her work consistently bridges literary analysis with film criticism, emphasizing gender dynamics and narrative innovation across genres. Scholarly output reveals a sustained focus on modernist narrative forms, autobiography, and cinematic storytelling. Publications like Fast Talking Dames (2001) and Modernism and Autobiography (2014) demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach, connecting literary theory with cultural history. Key thematic threads include the evolution of fictional characters, gender representation in film, and modernism’s engagement with popular culture. Professor DiBattista actively seeks graduate students whose research aligns with her interests in twentieth-century literature, film studies, or modernism, particularly projects that challenge disciplinary boundaries or introduce new analytical frameworks.
Anna G. Creadick is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Hobart and William Smith Colleges , holding the George E. Paulsen '49 Professor chair. She joined the faculty in 2001, with a Ph.D. in English/American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2002), an M.A. in American Studies from Boston College (1994), and a B.S. in English and Education from Appalachian State University (1991). Her research focuses on Twentieth-Century American Fiction , Southern and Appalachian Studies , Gender and Sexuality Studies , and Cultural Theory , particularly examining postwar America's social hierarchies and marginalized voices. Education : Ph.D. (UMass Amherst), M.A. (Boston College), B.S. (Appalachian State) Her scholarly work spans Appalachian cultural representation , gender roles in literature , and disability studies , with notable publications including the book Perfectly Average: The Pursuit of Normality in Postwar America (2010) and chapters in Phallacies (Oxford, 2017). She served as film advisor for the NEH-funded documentary Hillbilly (2018), highlighting her commitment to public scholarship. Her recent articles explore climate grief in Appalachia and literary intersections of race, gender, and class . Anna Creadick has contributed to journals like Southern Cultures , Post-45 Peer Reviewed , and Appalachian Journal . Her teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary analysis , challenging literary hierarchies , and collaborative knowledge production , often pairing canonical authors with marginalized voices. Scientific Awards : NEH-funded documentary film (2018), George E. Paulsen '49 Professor She actively engages in professional affiliations with the American Studies Association, Appalachian Studies Association, and Society for the Study of Southern Literature. Her work underscores the power dynamics in cultural narratives and the role of literature in social justice dialogues.
Gavin Jones is the Frederick P. Rehmus Family Professor of Humanities and Chair of the Department of English at Stanford University. He holds a B.A. from Oxford University (1990), and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University (1993, 1996). Before joining Stanford in 1999, he held a fellowship at Harvard University’s Society of Fellows. His research focuses on 19th- and early-20th-century American literature, examining themes such as cultural anxieties, poverty, literary depictions of failure, and the societal impact of literature. His major publications include Reclaiming John Steinbeck (2023), American Hungers (2007), and Strange Talk (1999). He co-edited the Cambridge Companion to the American Short Story (2023) and has published essays in American Literary History , New England Quarterly , and others. Current projects include Zora Neale Hurston and the Art of Controversy and The Storytellers . His work has been recognized through prestigious fellowships, including the Harvard Society of Fellows. Jones teaches courses such as 'Contemporary American Short Stories' and actively contributes to literary scholarship through editorial roles and academic leadership.
Chisu Teresa Ko is Associate Professor and Department Chair of Modern Languages at Ursinus College. She holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and teaches Spanish language courses at all levels alongside Latin American Studies courses in English, including SPAN 201 (Conversation and Composition), SPAN 340 (Racial Discourses in Argentina), LAS 200 (Introduction to Latin American Studies), and interdisciplinary offerings like CIE 200 (Common Intellectual Experience). Her research specializes in 19th- and 20th-century Latin American literary and cultural studies, with emphases on: Race, ethnicity, and multicultural identity formation Historical and contemporary racial discourses in Argentina Asian diaspora communities in Latin America Afro-Argentine cultural production Criollo Popular Theater traditions Her scholarship—including the forthcoming book Argentina: Race in a Raceless Nation —consistently examines intersections of national identity, racial representation, and transnational connections, with recent work expanding into Afro-Argentine historical documentation and Korean-Argentine cinematic narratives. Awards and fellowships include: 2020 ACLS Fellowship (American Council of Learned Societies) 2021 UMBC Inclusion Imperative Visiting Faculty Fellowship
Prof. Anna Elsner is an Associate Professor of French Studies & Medical Humanities at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS-HSG) at the University of St. Gallen. Her research focuses on intersections between medical ethics, literature, and film, particularly regarding assisted dying, French philosophy, and palliative care narratives. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Modern Languages from Oxford University (2006). Her work critically examines representations of death and dying in diverse media, including cinema, literature, and activism. Key interests include Marcel Proust’s exploration of mortality, bioethical debates in France, and the ethical dimensions of physician-assisted suicide. She has published analyses of films like 'Mar adentro' and 'Miele,' as well as literary works like Ana Estrada’s blog and Jean-Marie Lorand’s diary. Elsner’s research also engages with global debates on euthanasia legality, disability rights, and palliative care access. She frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, including artists and policymakers, to bridge theoretical and practical dimensions of medical humanities. Recent projects include studies on Canadian MAID law reforms and Dutch assisted-dying policies. Her work has been featured in documentaries like 'The Death Debate' and academic analyses of legal cases such as María Benito’s constitutional appeal in Peru. She advocates for nuanced discussions on autonomy, dignity, and societal responsibility in end-of-life decisions.
