Erin A. Smith

Erin A. Smith is a Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, teaching since 1997 with graduate appointments in the School of Arts & Humanities and involvement in the Collegium V Honors Program since 2003.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Literature and Women’s Studies from Duke University

Smith specializes in reconstructing American literary history through popular culture lenses, focusing on 19th-20th century literatures, gender dynamics, and book history. Her work examines reading practices across class and religious contexts, bridging print culture studies with consumer behavior and lived religion.

Publications since 2000 reveal consistent exploration of marginalized reading communities—from pulp magazine audiences to religious book consumers—using interdisciplinary methods combining literary analysis, cultural history, and material studies. Key themes include class representation, gendered criminality, and the commercialization of spirituality.

Her scholarly impact is recognized through:

• Anthony Award nomination for Hard-Boiled
• Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities
• National Endowment for the Humanities funding
• National Humanities Center fellowship
• Louisville Institute support

Smith secures major research funding while teaching undergraduate courses in American Popular Culture and Gender Studies, plus graduate seminars in American Literature. Though mentoring graduate students in Arts & Humanities, specific advisees aren't documented in available records. Her work operates without dedicated labs but leverages university archives and interdisciplinary collaborations.