Jamie L Jones

Jamie L. Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies (Harvard University) and an A.B. in English & American Literature (Harvard College).

Her research focuses on the cultural impacts of the 19th-century energy transition from whale oil to fossil fuels. Key projects include Rendered Obsolete, examining the legacy of whaling, and explorations of energy humanities. Her work bridges literature, art, and environmental studies, addressing how cultural narratives shape perceptions of environmental change and energy practices.

Teaching interests include courses on American literature, sustainability narratives, and energy culture. Awards include the IPRH Humanities Research Prize (2018) and teaching excellence recognition from multiple institutions. Media contributions include BBC interviews and podcast appearances on topics like Moby-Dick and energy history.

Her research has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and others. She actively engages in public humanities through writing for outlets like the Los Angeles Review of Books and New York Times.