Kristen Polster

Kristen Polster is a Senior Lecturer at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she has taught writing since 2001. She is affiliated with the Writing Center at the Annette G. Strauss Institute for Civic Life (ALEC) and currently teaches DISC 1312 and 1313 in the Hilltop Scholars Program. Her academic background includes a B.A. and M.A. in English (creative writing) from SMU and a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of North Texas.

Her research interests span Shakespeare, Early Modern English Drama and Poetry, Creative Writing, Gender Studies, and Pop Culture. Her work explores intersections between textual analysis, gender, and cultural narratives, as seen in her 2012 article on early modern bodies and texts.

Polster has received notable recognition for her teaching, including the Laura Kesselman Devlin Instructor of English award (2004, 2014) and the HOPE Professor of the Year title (2003). She actively contributes to pedagogical initiatives in writing and interdisciplinary education.