William Laws

William Laws is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at North Carolina State University, specializing in Public History, American History, and North Carolina History. His research explores collective memory, historic preservation, and the cultural politics of commemoration.

• Education
  • BA in History from East Carolina University (2006)
  • BS in Social Studies Education from North Carolina State University (2008)
  • MA in History from North Carolina Central University (2017)
  • PhD in Public History from North Carolina State University (2022)

His work focuses on the intersection of civil religion and memory-making, particularly analyzing how Confederate monuments and broader commemorative practices shaped White American identity in the South. He is actively engaged in historic preservation projects across North Carolina.

Dr. Laws has served as vice president of the Duke Homestead Education and History Corporation and executive director of Preservation Durham.