Suzanne Leonard

Suzanne Leonard is Professor of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Simmons University, where she directs the Graduate Program in Gender and Cultural Studies and co-coordinates the interdisciplinary minor in Cinema and Media Studies. She also co-chairs the board overseeing the Graduate Consortium in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality.

Education:

• PhD in English from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• BA from Dartmouth College

Her research examines intersections between feminism and popular culture, including public feminisms, postfeminism, reality television, white feminism, The Real Housewives franchise, chic noirs, the adultery plot in feminist novels, political spouses, celebrity culture, and representations of working women in American film and television.

Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on feminist media criticism with recent work examining racial emotions, digital activism commemorating feminist icons, and neoliberal discourses around self-care. Methodologically, her scholarship combines textual analysis with cultural critique across television, literature, and digital media.

Awards:

• MeCCSA's Outstanding Achievement Award for best edited collection (2021)

Leonard teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in American film/television, feminist media studies, women's literature, gender theory, and literary interpretation. She has been featured in national media outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, NPR, and The Guardian.

No specific laboratory or research team information is provided.