Kathryn Shively

Kathryn Shively, Ph.D., serves as an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director within the History Department at Virginia Commonwealth University. They specialize in environmental and military history of the American Civil War and Reconstruction, examining how soldiers' mental and physical health intersected with their natural environments through self-care practices and informal healthcare networks involving diverse groups including African Americans and women.

Academic Credentials:

• Ph.D. in History, University of Virginia, 2010

Shively's research explores the evolution of America's armed forces from the 1600s through the late nineteenth century, with particular focus on soldiers' adaptation to wartime environmental challenges. Their acclaimed book "Nature's Civil War" analyzes common soldiers' experiences in 1862 Virginia, while current work investigates Confederate general Jubal A. Early's influence on modern historical consciousness through Science, Technology, and Society frameworks, revealing critical tensions between historical memory and factual interpretation.

Scientific Recognition:

• Recipient of the 2014 Wiley-Silver Prize for best first book on the Civil War ("Nature's Civil War")

As Graduate Program Director, Shively oversees VCU's History Department graduate programs including the Master's Program and Graduate Certificate in Public History. Their administrative leadership supports student development through internships, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary scholarship, though specific advising details and grant funding information are not provided in available sources. Prior to VCU, they served as assistant professor at the University of Scranton and as a California Bay Area schoolteacher.