Laurie Johnson

Laurie Johnson is a Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Southern Queensland's School of Humanities and Communication. His research focuses on early modern literature, historical contexts of theatre, and cultural theory. He holds fellowships with the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London, and has served as Past President of the Australian and New Zealand Shakespeare Association. Johnson's work bridges literary analysis with historical inquiry, particularly examining Shakespearean studies, playhouse histories, and the material culture of performance.

Education: DipEd (QIT, 1988), BA (UCSQ, 1991), BA(Hons) (CQU, 1992), MA (Qld, 1995), PhD (Qld, 2000). Affiliations include the Centre for Heritage and Culture and the ORCID profile 0000-0002-2408-0602.

Research interests emphasize the intersection of history and literature, with special attention to early modern British theatre, textual analysis, and cultural patronage. His recent publications explore topics like Shakespeare's First Folio, early Elizabethan playing companies, and the spatial dynamics of early modern playhouses. He actively supervises doctoral research in areas such as Shakespearean voice studies, climate history in drama, and preternatural phenomena in Renaissance literature.

Johnson has authored or edited multiple books, including Leicester's Men and their Plays (2023) and Shakespeare's Lost Playhouse (2018). His articles frequently appear in journals like Medieval and Renaissance Drama in England and Shakespeare Quarterly. Awards include prestigious fellowships recognizing his contributions to historical and literary scholarship.