Erin Smith

Erin Smith is a Professor of American Studies and Literature at the University of Texas at Dallas, affiliated with the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. Her academic career spans over two decades, with prior roles including Assistant and Associate Professor at UT-Dallas and various instructorships and fellowships at Duke University. She holds a Ph.D. in Literature and Women’s Studies from Duke University (1997), alongside dual B.S. and B.A. degrees in Social Science and English from Michigan State University (1991).

Her research focuses on American popular literature, book history, and gender studies. Notable works include What Would Jesus Read? (2015), examining religious publishing’s cultural impact, and Hard-Boiled (2000), analyzing working-class readership of pulp magazines. Current projects explore women’s Cold War crime fiction reception.

Smith has received prestigious awards such as the School of Interdisciplinary Studies Teaching Award (2020) and a National Humanities Center fellowship (2002-2003). Her grants include funding from the NEH and Louisville Institute. She actively engages in educational equity initiatives, including LGBTQ+ teacher training and diversity symposiums.

Her scholarly contributions span peer-reviewed journals like American Literary History and Book History, alongside conference presentations on topics like gender in crime fiction and reader-response studies. She maintains memberships with the American Studies Association, MLA, and SHARP.