Scott Newstok

Scott Newstok is Professor of English and Executive Director of the Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities at Rhodes College. His teaching spans courses cross-listed with Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Educational Studies, Environmental Studies, Media Studies, and Theatre, with seminars on Overton Park, poetry and medicine, and Michel de Montaigne’s legacy. He actively contributes to the Liberal Arts in Prison Program and international humanities initiatives.

• Education: Ph.D. in English and American Language and Literature from Harvard University (2002), B.A. in English from Grinnell College (1995)

Professor Newstok’s research explores Shakespearean studies, early modern racial discourse, pedagogical innovation, and digital humanities. He has published on topics ranging from epitaphs in Renaissance drama to the intersection of Shakespeare and race in global performances. His recent projects include editing Montaigne’s essays on education and a digital database on close reading history.

His 15 most recent publications (2017-2025) examine themes like epitaphs in Renaissance drama, Shakespearean adaptations, educational philosophy, and digital textual analysis. These works reflect his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and public humanities engagement.

• Scientific Awards: 2012 Campus Life Award, 2016/2021 Clarence Day Awards, multiple fellowships from NEH, Folger, and Mellon Foundation

Newstok has organized symposia including Green Shakespeare, Global Hamlet, and 1616 Symposium. He co-founded the Digital Public Library of America’s Memphis visit and maintains a public database on close reading history. His archival research spans institutions from the Folger Shakespeare Library to the British Library.