Elizabeth Belanger

Elizabeth Belanger is an Associate Professor of American Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She joined the faculty in 2013 and is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of women’s history, urban studies, and historical geography. Her work combines digital and traditional scholarship, utilizing GIS and spatial technologies to visualize the roles of women in urban environments, particularly during the Civil War era in St. Louis.

• Ph.D., Brown University, 2007
• M.A., Brown University, 2002
• B.A., Kenyon College, 1997

Her research focuses on spatial history, public history, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). She explores how critical spatial thinking can be integrated into interdisciplinary classrooms, emphasizing GIS and other digital tools. Belanger is deeply committed to community-engaged scholarship and currently directs the People’s History of Geneva, a project that collects and shares stories from underrepresented Genevans to illuminate the city’s social and cultural past.

Her recent publications span journals such as the Journal of American History, The Public Historian, and Journal of the Civil War Era. The articles reflect a consistent focus on gender, space, urban development, and pedagogy. Trends in her scholarship reveal a strong commitment to social justice, civic engagement, and innovative teaching methods that bridge historical research with public impact.

Her notable scientific recognition includes the G. Wesley Johnson Award for best article in The Public Historian (2012).

• Director, People’s History of Geneva
• Recipient, American Studies Association Community Partnership Grant (2017)
• Recipient, Wyckoff Family Foundation Curriculum Development Grant (2016)

Belanger has led public humanities initiatives involving students and community members, such as the 'Diversity in Geneva' and 'Bully Box' public art projects. She teaches courses including Digital Humanities, Critical Family History, and Art, Memory and the Power of Place, fostering experiential and interdisciplinary learning.

She leads the People’s History of Geneva project in collaboration with the Geneva Historical Society, Geneva City Schools, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, creating a vibrant, community-centered research and outreach lab focused on inclusive storytelling and public memory.