Felisa Vergara Reynolds

Felisa Vergara Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the Department of French & Italian at the University of Illinois, with additional cross-disciplinary appointments in Anthropology, Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Center for African Studies, and Program in Comparative and World Literature.

Education:

• PhD from Harvard University
• MA from Rice University
• BA from Rice University

Dr. Reynolds specializes in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literature in French from former French colonies, with particular focus on the French Caribbean, West Africa, and North Africa. Her research examines the enduring impact of colonialism as represented in literary and artistic productions since 1960. She has developed significant expertise in post-colonial literary theory, particularly exploring how authors rewrite and reinterpret colonial narratives through what she terms 'cannibalistic' literary practices that appropriate and transform dominant discourses.

Her scholarly work demonstrates consistent interdisciplinary engagement across multiple contexts - from Caribbean literary traditions to African studies and contemporary cultural analysis. The trajectory of her research shows increasing exploration of connections between literature and broader social, political, and cultural frameworks, with particular attention to issues of race, gender, identity, and representation in post-colonial societies across the Francophone world.

As a faculty member with appointments spanning multiple departments and interdisciplinary centers, Dr. Reynolds contributes significantly to the academic community through her teaching, research, and service. Her scholarly contributions bridge literary studies with anthropology, gender studies, Latin American studies, and African studies, reflecting the interconnected nature of post-colonial experiences across different regions of the world.