Heather Hewett

Heather Hewett is an Associate Professor and Chair of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at SUNY New Paltz, with an affiliate appointment in the English Department. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, alongside an M.A. and B.A. from Yale University. Her research focuses on feminist studies, storytelling for social change, motherhood studies, and creative nonfiction. Hewett has authored/co-authored over 20 scholarly articles and co-edited #MeToo and Literary Studies (2021), exploring sexual violence and rape culture in literary contexts.

Her academic career spans leadership roles, including Program Officer at the American Council of Learned Societies (2022–2024) and Teacher of the Year (2015–16). Awards include the Robert Sillins Family Foundation Grant (2018). Hewett's work bridges literary analysis with activism, particularly in pedagogy and curricular reform. She has published essays in venues like Boston Review and The New York Times, and her creative nonfiction appears in anthologies such as The Good Mother Myth.

Her scholarly focus spans transnational feminism, African studies, and diaspora narratives. Hewett actively contributes to professional organizations like the National Women’s Studies Association and Modern Language Association, advocating for inclusive academic practices and interdisciplinary collaboration.