Sharon Smith

Sharon Smith is a Professor in the School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies at South Dakota State University (SDSU). Her research focuses on 18th-century British literature, particularly women’s poetry and satire, alongside Gothic literature and film. She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature with a Gender and Women’s Studies certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, preceded by an M.A. from the University of Georgia and a B.A. from Augsburg College.

Her academic interests include Restoration literature, 18th-century women’s verse satire, and interdisciplinary approaches to gender studies. She serves as an editor for The Eighteenth Century: Theory and Interpretation, and actively participates in professional organizations like the Modern Language Association and the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies.

Recent publications explore pedagogical strategies for teaching 18th-century texts, such as Anne Finch’s satirical fables and Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko. Her work emphasizes contemporary relevance of historical literature, particularly in addressing racial and gendered themes. In 2021, she received SDSU's Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring.

Sharon Smith’s scholarship bridges literary analysis with cultural critique, examining how gender roles and authorship intersect in early modern texts. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like film studies analyses of modern Western genres, showcasing her commitment to diverse academic inquiries.