Kari Winter

Kari Winter is a Professor in the Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University at Buffalo. She served as Director of the UB Gender Institute (2011–2017) and interim Executive Director of the UB Humanities Institute (2017–2018). Her work bridges academia and public humanities, emphasizing racial justice and collaborative storytelling.

Education:

• PhD in English, University of Minnesota (1990)
• BA in English and History, Indiana University (1981)

Research Interests: Winter specializes in American literature and history from the 18th century onward, focusing on transatlantic slavery, women’s narratives, and auto/biographical forms. She explores intersections of food, gardening, and film/television in cultural contexts.

Key Activities: She has organized over 100 conferences, workshops, and public events, including the 'Reclaiming Our Ancestors' series on racial justice. Her grants include funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and international bodies. She is currently developing a screenplay about slavery and freedom in early New England, centered on Jeffrey Brace.

Public Engagement: Winter’s work appears in media outlets like the New York Times, NPR, and international broadcasts. She advocates for collaborative projects between academics, artists, and activists.