Alan Liu

Alan Liu is a Professor in the English Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he has served since 1987. He has held leadership roles including Chair (2008–2012), Graduate Program Director, and Undergraduate Program Director. Affiliated with the Center for Information Technology and Society and the Media Arts & Technology program, Liu bridges humanities and technology through his research and projects.

• B.A., English Literature, Yale University
• M.A., Creative Writing, Stanford University (1979)
• Ph.D., English Literature, Stanford University (1980)

His research spans British romantic literature, Digital Humanities, and Science and Technology Studies. Early work focused on Wordsworth and the interplay between literature and history, while later research examines the cultural impact of information technology, digital humanities, and social computing. Liu founded initiatives like Voice of the Shuttle, Transliteracies, and 4Humanities, with projects supported by NEH and Mellon Foundation grants.

Liu’s recent publications explore topics such as data science, machine learning, and photonic integrated circuits, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. He has also led advocacy efforts for the humanities and served on committees like the MLA’s Committee on Information Technology.