Michael Liebler

Michael Liebler is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of English at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A globally recognized poet, literary arts activist, and educator, he has taught since 1980 and authored 15 books/chapbooks. His work spans Detroit-focused poetry, war literature, and creative writing pedagogy.

Education: M.A. in English.

Research Interests: Creative writing, Detroit studies, world fiction, and war literature. His poetry explores themes such as cultural identity, geopolitical landscapes, and labor movements, with performances across 50 U.S. states and countries including Afghanistan, Israel, and Germany.

Recent Trends in Publications: Liebler’s work increasingly integrates Detroit’s cultural heritage with global narratives, as seen in anthologies like Heaven Was Detroit and RESPECT: Poets on Detroit Music. His poetry often bridges multimedia formats (e.g., CD integrations) and bilingual translations.

• Awards:
• Fulbright Specialist Grants (2014, 2016)
• Michigan Humanities Champion of the Year (2021)
• Library of Michigan Notable Book Awards (2011, 2017, 2021)

Advising & Grants: Co-founded the National Writer’s Voice Project and Springfed Arts. Secured grants including the Knight Foundation Award and State Department Cultural Grants for international teaching initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Director of the National Writer’s Voice Project and co-editor of multiple literary anthologies.