Rhonda Knight

Rhonda Knight is a Professor of English and the James Wayne Lemke Chair in University Service and Leadership at Coker University. She holds a Ph.D. from Binghamton University, an M.A. from the University of Alabama, and a B.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research focuses on Medieval and Early Modern literature of Britain and Ireland, linguistics, Early Modern theater practices, science fiction, and Doctor Who studies.

Dr. Knight has received prestigious fellowships, including an NEH Teaching Development Fellowship (2010) and participation in an NEH Summer Seminar on Shakespeare and Performance. She currently writes on Paul Doherty’s Canterbury Tale-inspired mystery series and has directed student research on topics like gender in Sherlock Holmes and medieval women’s writings. Her recent work explores intersections between historical texts and modern fan culture, emphasizing narrative adaptation and cultural legacy.

Her academic contributions span interdisciplinary studies, blending literary analysis with performance history, gender studies, and cultural historiography. She teaches courses such as British Literature I, Medieval Studies, Chaucer, and Shakespearean drama, reflecting her expertise in early English literature and its modern resonances.