Lori Campbell-Tanner

Lori Campbell-Tanner is a Teaching Professor in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. She also advises the Film and Media Studies program and leads multiple undergraduate organizations, including the Fantasy Studies Fellowship (FSF), Pitt Project Potter, and the Pitt Quadball Club. Her roles include academic advising, course instruction, and leadership in student initiatives.

Dr. Campbell-Tanner holds a B.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English from Duquesne University. Her research focuses on Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Literature, Fantasy, Childhood Studies, and the Gothic, with notable works analyzing female heroism in fantasy and magical agency across literary worlds. She has authored books like Portals of Power (2010) and A Quest of Her Own (2014), and contributed introductions to editions of classic texts by Barrie, Gilman, Lear, and the Brothers Grimm.

Her research trends emphasize intersections between fantasy narratives and real-world power dynamics, feminist critiques, and the role of myth and folklore in shaping cultural narratives. Recent projects explore Gothic literature and the representation of adolescence.

Her accolades include the 2019 Non-Student Affairs Faculty Advisor of the Year and multiple teaching nominations. She has pioneered initiatives like the FSF’s “What’s Next?” career series and organized academic events featuring authors like V.E. Schwab and Laini Taylor.

As an advisor, Dr. Campbell-Tanner supports student organizations through academic and professional mentorship, blending scholarly rigor with community engagement. She also collaborates with the University Center for International Studies and the Fredrick Honors College.

The Fantasy Studies Fellowship, her flagship project, hosts monthly discussions, author chats, and conferences on diversity in fantasy and science fiction. Notable events include panels with NY Times best-selling authors and interdisciplinary academic symposia.