Renée Bergland

Renée Bergland is a Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Literature & Writing Department at Simmons University’s Department of Humanities. She specializes in literary criticism, the history of science, and interdisciplinary connections between STEM and the humanities. Her research bridges 19th-century American literature with scientific thought, environmentalism, and social justice. Bergland has held major fellowships from the Sloan Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Fulbright Program. She has taught at institutions including Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and MIT. Her notable works include Natural Magic (2024), Maria Mitchell and the Sexing of Science (2008), and The National Uncanny (2000). Her writing often explores how historical narratives intersect with contemporary issues of race, gender, and ecology.

Education: PhD in English and Comparative Literature (Columbia University), BA from St. John’s College. Her teaching spans introductory literature courses to advanced seminars. Bergland’s academic contributions emphasize accessibility and interdisciplinary dialogue, reflecting her commitment to public intellectualism. She has published widely in journals like American Literary History, ISIS, and Nautilus, and her work has been featured in media such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times.

Her research awards include recognition from the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Emily Dickinson International Society. Bergland’s advocacy for environmentalism and anti-racism extends beyond academia, shaping her pedagogy and public engagements.