Melissa Free

Melissa Free is an Associate Professor of English at Arizona State University (ASU), with affiliations in Gender and Women's Studies and the Barrett Honors College. Her research focuses on 19th- and 20th-century British literature, colonialism, and feminist/gender studies. She holds a Ph.D. in English and teaches courses in Victorian literature and postcolonial theory.

Her expertise includes Victorian literature, postcolonial studies, and the intersection of gender with colonial narratives. Notable works include Beyond Gold and Diamonds (2021) and an edited edition of James Joyce's The Dead and Other Stories (2014). Her articles appear in journals such as Victorian Studies and Genre.

Her research explores how colonialism and gender shape literary genres, particularly in British South African novels and Victorian texts. Recent publications analyze authorial perspectives and cultural hybridity in colonial narratives.

Melissa Free is also an instructor at ASU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, reflecting her commitment to accessible education. She actively contributes to scholarly networks through editorial work and conference presentations.