Susan Shillinglaw

Susan Shillinglaw is a Professor in the Department of English & Comparative Literature at San José State University, part of the College of Humanities & the Arts. She is a leading Steinbeck scholar and serves as Director of the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California. She founded the Steinbeck Summer Institute in 2007, a professional development program for middle and high school teachers funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Her research focuses on the interdisciplinary dimensions of John Steinbeck’s work, particularly the intersections between literature, ecology, and natural science. She advocates for integrating narrative and scientific thinking in education, emphasizing that "science is a narrative" and that literature can deepen understanding of environmental and social issues. Her work explores Steinbeck’s deep connection to place, which has profoundly influenced her own relationship with California.

Shillinglaw’s initiatives highlight a strong commitment to educational outreach and curriculum innovation. The Steinbeck Summer Institute brings together English and science teachers for immersive workshops in the California landscape that inspired Steinbeck, fostering cross-disciplinary teaching methods. She has impacted K–12 education through collaborations with teachers like Christina Pommer, enabling students to connect literature to agriculture, marine resources, and regional economics.

She has received grant support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Education Programs, underscoring her role as a principal investigator in humanities education projects. While no specific scientific awards are listed, her leadership in national educational programming reflects significant scholarly recognition.

Through the SJSU Research Foundation, she manages sponsored research projects and contributes to the broader research mission of the university. Her work continues to expand how Steinbeck is taught, emphasizing ecological awareness, narrative inquiry, and the unity of artistic and scientific thought.