Laurie Mercier

Laurie Mercier is the Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of History at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver, affiliated with the Department of History and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon (1995). Her research focuses on U.S. history, the American West, Pacific Northwest regional studies, labor history, immigration, and oral history.

Her work includes leadership roles such as former associate director of the Center for Columbia River History, president of the Oral History Association, and co-director of the Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive project. Key publications include Speaking History (2010) and Anaconda (2001), exploring labor communities and oral histories. Her articles address intersections of race, gender, and class in Pacific Northwest and Montana history.

Mercier’s academic contributions span interdisciplinary projects and advocacy for public history. She has received the distinguished professorship award, reflecting her scholarly impact. No formal advisee list is provided, but her research collaborations involve archival and community-based initiatives.