Rhonna J. Robbins-Sponaas

Rhonna J. Robbins-Sponaas is an Associate Professor and Head of the English Department at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her academic journey blends creative writing, American literature, and fiber arts studies. She holds a Master’s in creative nonfiction and a doctorate in American literature, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to literary analysis. Robbins-Sponaas has extensive experience in military service, administrative roles, and educational technology, spanning institutions like FSU, SNHU, and NTNU.

Her research focuses on three overlapping areas: creative writing pedagogy, American women writers and Southern literature, and the cultural significance of textiles. Recent work examines themes such as sexual abuse in young adult fiction, racial identity in Black Lives Matter-era narratives, and feminist speculative fiction. She has supervised numerous master’s theses addressing topics ranging from disaster narratives to strategies of patriarchal oppression in pop culture.

Robbins-Sponaas teaches courses like ENG6012 (Literature) and ENG6018 (Literature), emphasizing hybrid and online education formats. Her creative interests in fiber arts inform her academic work, integrating craft practices with literary analysis. She is also active in mentoring initiatives, crisis counseling, and literary editing, reflecting her commitment to community-driven intellectual and creative endeavors.