Peter Cole

Dr. Peter Cole is a Professor of History at Western Illinois University (WIU), affiliated with the College of Arts & Science. He holds the title of Distinguished University Professor and serves as a Research Associate at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Society, Work and Development Institute (SWOP) in South Africa. His research focuses on social movements, labor history, and racial dynamics in the U.S. and South Africa, with notable work on dockworkers and anti-apartheid activism. Cole co-directs the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19), which uses public art to memorialize racial violence in Chicago. He has authored several award-winning books, including Ben Fletcher: The Life & Writings of a Black Wobbly and Dockworker Power, and contributes to both academic and popular media.

Education: B.A. from Columbia University; Ph.D. from Georgetown University.

Research interests emphasize comparative labor history, deindustrialization, and historical memory. His work bridges academia and public engagement, including bike tours, media interviews, and partnerships with art studios for commemorative projects. Awards include the Philip Taft Labor History Book Award and multiple teaching excellence recognitions at WIU. Grants and fellowships include NEH support and international collaborations like the Germany Residency in American History program.

Labs/Teams: CRR19 Project and SWOP Institute. Leisure activities include trail running, rock climbing, and vegan cooking.