Samantha L Frost

Samantha L Frost is a Professor of Political Science, Gender and Women's Studies, and Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory at the University of Illinois. Her work bridges political theory, feminist thought, and the biological sciences, focusing on how materiality and embodiment shape political concepts. She currently directs the Biohumanities Initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation, exploring intersections of biology and culture.

Her research emphasizes biocultural studies, examining how biological and social environments influence human development. Notable works include Biocultural Creatures (2016) and co-editing New Materialisms (2010). She has been recognized with the APSA First Book Award and Mellon New Directions Fellowship, which supported her training in biological sciences.

• Education & Training: Advanced training in biological sciences via Mellon Fellowship, specialization in political theory and feminist studies.
• Grants & Fellowships: Mellon Foundation grants for Biohumanities Initiative and New Directions Fellowship.

Her current projects analyze epigenetic processes to redefine human agency and political possibilities, integrating interdisciplinary approaches across the humanities and sciences.