Meghan Kirkwood

Meghan Kirkwood is an Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Studio Art at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Sam Fox School of Visual Arts & Design. She holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design, an MFA from Tulane University, and a PhD from the University of Florida. Her research explores how landscape imagery informs public discourse on land use, infrastructure, and environmental planning. She also investigates African art and the history of photography, with a focus on contemporary South African photographers.

Her work has been exhibited globally, including at Blue Sky Gallery (Portland), Bangkok Art and Culture Center (Thailand), and the Colorado Photographic Arts Center. Her photographs are in collections such as the RISD Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Photography. Notable awards include the 2024 Creative Activity & Research Award and recognition as a Howard Fellowship finalist (2022).

Kirkwood’s writing has appeared in journals like Photographies and Landscape Journal. She has led artist residencies with the National Parks Service and Vermont Studio Center, and her teaching includes roles as photography area coordinator and undergraduate program chair.