Alan Rauch

Alan Rauch is a Professor of English at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, affiliated with the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS). He holds a Ph.D. in Literature from Rutgers University, complemented by degrees in Zoology and Biology from Southern Illinois University and McGill University. His interdisciplinary work bridges science, literature, and cultural studies, with a focus on Victorian and Romantic eras. Rauch has curated exhibits like 'Subverting the Natural Order: Women and Science' and presented at TedX-Charlotte on animal studies.

His research interests include codifications of knowledge, animal studies, graphic novels, and the history of the book. He teaches courses such as 'The Victorians and Empire,' 'Women & Science in the Early 19th Century,' and 'Animals, Culture, and Society.' Rauch has held prestigious fellowships (e.g., Princeton, Mellon Foundation) and serves on editorial boards including MLA's PMLA and Configurations. Notable publications include Sloth: A Cultural History (2023) and Dolphin (2014).

Recent articles explore intersections between science and literature, such as Victorian women's contributions to scientific discourse and the symbolic use of animals in narratives. His work often critiques historical knowledge systems and labor dynamics in scholarship. Awards include the Chancellor’s Diversity Grant (2008-09) and roles like President of the Council of Editors of Learned Journals (2012-2015).