Jill E. Kelly

Jill E. Kelly is an Associate Professor and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of History at Southern Methodist University (SMU). She specializes in South African history, focusing on gender, violence, and colonial/apartheid legacies. Dr. Kelly is a recipient of SMU’s highest honor, the M Award, and has held prestigious fellowships including the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant.

Education:

• Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2012
• B.A., Saint Vincent College, 2004

Research Interests: Her work examines gendered dynamics in anti-apartheid resistance, oral history documentation, and the intersection of traditional authority with colonial policies. Current projects include analyzing the role of gender in 1950s South African rebellions and leading the Voices of SMU Oral History Project to document marginalized student experiences.

Awards:

• M Award (2020)
• Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor (2020)
• Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant (2018–2019)
• Tom Tunks Distinguished University Citizen Award (2023–2024)

Teaching and Mentoring: She teaches courses in early and modern African history, oral history methodologies, and research methods. Her mentorship includes guiding undergraduate and graduate researchers in the Voices of SMU project.

Grants and Fellowships: Over 15 grants/fellowships from institutions like the New York Public Library, Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study, and SMU Research Council.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Voices of SMU Oral History Project, collaborating with students to document underrepresented alumni narratives.