Maura Nolan

Maura Nolan is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley. She specializes in late medieval English literature, particularly focusing on the 14th and 15th centuries, and examines the relationship between medieval aesthetics and early modern developments. Her work bridges sensory experience, cultural cognition, and literary style.

Education:

• A.B. in English, Dartmouth College
• M.A. and Ph.D. in English, Duke University

Research Interests:

Nolan’s research explores the role of the aesthetic in medieval vernacular literature, particularly through analyses of sensation, style, and cultural context. Current projects include studies of John Gower’s contingency and sensation, and the intersection of medieval beauty concepts with emerging literary style. She interrogates how medieval texts engage with sensory perception and how these inform modern understandings of aesthetics.

Publications:

Her work spans monographs, edited volumes, and articles, with a focus on figures like Chaucer, Gower, and Lydgate. Key themes include textual criticism, medieval manuscript studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to aesthetics. Recent publications address Ovidian allusions, Lancastrian literature, and digital humanities methodologies in medieval text analysis.

Teaching and Affiliations:

Nolan teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at Berkeley and has held roles such as Wheeler Fellow (2005–2008). Her office is in Wheeler Hall 230, and she holds office hours by appointment.