Leslie J. Reagan

Leslie J. Reagan is a Professor of History, Law, and Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She holds affiliations with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Gender and Women's Studies, the Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory, and the College of Law. Her research focuses on 20th-century U.S. history, medicine, public health, disability history, and legal studies. Key projects include studies on Agent Orange, thalidomide, and the legal history of abortion. Reagan has received numerous awards, including the Welch Medal and Joan Kelly Memorial Award. She has authored seminal works like When Abortion Was a Crime and Dangerous Pregnancies, exploring reproductive rights and medical ethics. Her teaching spans U.S. history, gender studies, and medical humanities. Reagan has held prestigious grants from NEH, NIH, and the Beckman Award. Her advocacy includes public talks on abortion access and legal reform, reflecting her commitment to bridging scholarship and societal impact.

Education: PhD (University of Wisconsin, Madison), BA (University of California, Davis).

Grants & Awards: Over 20 grants and awards, including NEH Summer Stipend (2015), UIUC Beckman Award (2010, 1992-93), and multiple teaching recognitions.

Public Engagement: Featured in New York Times, Slate, and podcasts like Ezra Klein Show, discussing post-Roe abortion access and legal challenges.