Dr. Ernest Cole serves as the John Dirk Werkman Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He began his tenure at Hope in July 2008 as an assistant professor on the tenure track, achieving tenure in 2014. In addition to his departmental leadership, Cole also serves as Director of Global Learning at the institution. His academic career spans multiple institutions across West Africa and the United States, reflecting his deep engagement with post-colonial contexts. Dr. Cole's educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut (2008), an MA in African literature from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone (1994), and a BA in English language and literature from the same institution (1990). His scholarly journey reflects both his West African roots and his international academic development. Cole's research focuses primarily on post-apartheid South Africa, with significant contributions to body and trauma studies, particularly examining how bodily injury shapes identity. His work extends to spatial theory as a construct of national and diasporic identities in post-conflict contexts, with specific attention to Sierra Leone. He specializes in post-colonial literature with emphasis on Sub-Saharan Anglophone Africa, disability studies focusing on the disfigured body, and travel and empire studies, especially Victorian literature and its intersections with world literature. His theoretical framework often combines trauma studies with spatial theory to examine post-conflict identity formation. His scholarly publications reveal a consistent focus on trauma, identity, and post-colonial contexts, particularly in West Africa. Cole's work demonstrates an evolving trajectory from analyzing individual trauma narratives toward examining broader spatial and national identity constructions in post-conflict societies. His publications frequently address the intersections of physical trauma, spatial displacement, and cultural memory, with a particular emphasis on Sierra Leone's civil war and its aftermath. Abioseh Porter Best Essay Award (2020) for 'Decentering Anthropocentrism: Human-Animal Relations in Aminatta Forna's 'Happiness'' John Dirk Werkman Endowed Professorship (2017) Motoichiro Oghimi Global Courage Award (2017) Lily Fellow on Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland (2011) Towsley Research Scholar designation (2010) While specific details about his grant history are limited in the provided materials, Cole's research agenda has clearly been supported through prestigious fellowships and endowed positions. His work as Director of Global Learning suggests institutional recognition of his expertise in international contexts and post-colonial studies. Though student advising details aren't specified, his departmental leadership role and extensive publication record indicate significant mentorship responsibilities within the English department. Dr. Cole's research appears to be conducted both independently and through collaborative projects, particularly evident in his co-edited volumes. His work with institutions like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone suggests connections to larger research initiatives examining post-conflict recovery. His focus on Sierra Leonean contexts indicates ongoing engagement with research communities in West Africa, though specific lab or team structures aren't detailed in the available information.
