Shannon Branfield

Shannon Branfield is a Visiting Assistant Professor of English at the Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication at Colorado Mesa University. She teaches composition courses, Introduction to Literature, and Mythology, emphasizing cultural narratives, media literacy, and student creativity through diverse perspectives.

Education:

• PhD in English, University of Kentucky
• Graduate Certificate in College Teaching & Learning, University of Kentucky
• Graduate Certificate in Social Theory, University of Kentucky
• MA in English, Utah State University
• Graduate Certificate in Gender & Women's Studies, Utah State University
• BA in English, Eastern Washington University
• AA in Humanities, Clark College

Research Interests include 19th-century British literature, masculinities studies, and contemporary popular culture. Her dissertation explored the instability of masculinity in Victorian sensation fiction, while current research examines the politics of contemporary fantasy by authors of color. Her work focuses on genre fiction as a lens for analyzing cultural narratives of race, gender, and sexuality.

Teaching Philosophy centers on inclusivity, critical thinking, and empowering students to engage with diverse experiences. She employs three guiding questions: "What perspective is this from?", "What else is this connected to?", and "What if things were different?", fostering a global community mindset and encouraging students to create original works that contribute to cultural discourse.