Steven E. Sodergren

Steven E. Sodergren serves as the Charles A. Dana Professor of History within the Department of History and Political Science at Norwich University's College of Arts & Sciences. He joined the faculty in 2007 and specializes in American Civil War and military history, while also contributing to British history scholarship. Sodergren actively engages with Norwich's academic infrastructure through his advisory role at the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace and War Center and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Peace and War Studies.

His educational qualifications include:

• Ph.D. in American Military History from the University of Kansas
• M.A. in American History from the University of Kansas
• B.A. in History & Philosophy from Cornell College

Sodergren's research centers on the lived experiences of Civil War soldiers and the postbellum construction of historical memory by veterans. His work bridges military strategy analysis with social history, particularly examining trench warfare dynamics during the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns and how Union veterans contested historical narratives through publications like the National Tribune. This dual focus on battlefield realities and memory politics defines his scholarly contributions.

His publications demonstrate consistent thematic concentration on Civil War legacy, with the 2017 monograph analyzing Union soldiers' adaptation to trench warfare and the 2020 chapter investigating veterans' efforts to shape public remembrance. These works collectively explore military innovation, soldier psychology, and the politicization of historical interpretation in postwar America.

Sodergren's scholarly impact is recognized through:

• 2018 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award
• 2017 Colonel Richard W. Ulbrich Memorial Book Award

He mentors students through specialized coursework including the annual Civil War Staff Ride, where he leads cadets to historic battlefields for experiential learning. Though specific research grants aren't documented, his award-winning publications indicate significant scholarly funding and institutional support. His editorial work for the Journal of Peace and War Studies further extends his academic influence beyond Norwich.

Sodergren maintains active institutional partnerships through the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace and War Center, where his advisory role connects Civil War scholarship to contemporary military education. His integration of primary source analysis with battlefield pedagogy exemplifies Norwich's experiential learning philosophy.