Laura Fine is a Professor of English and holds the Norma Rose Chair in English at Meredith College. She specializes in literary analysis with a focus on gender, race, and cultural dynamics in American and Southern literature. Her research explores themes such as identity formation, social critique, and narrative structure in works by authors like Harper Lee, Jesmyn Ward, and Bonnie Jo Campbell. She actively contributes to academic conferences and publications, balancing her scholarly work with department leadership and undergraduate education. Dr. Fine earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota, followed by M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California at Davis. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes connecting students to literary themes through small-class discussions, fostering critical thinking and effective communication. Her research spans contemporary and classic texts, with publications analyzing gender in modern American fiction, race in Southern Gothic narratives, and postcolonial identity in works like Jhumpa Lahiri’s stories. Recent work includes a chapter on rape culture in Bonnie Jo Campbell’s fiction and re-evaluations of Harper Lee’s legacy. As department head, Fine prioritizes community-building among English majors, faculty, and staff. She has contributed to major reference works like the Encyclopedia Britannica and engages with public discourse through platforms like The Conversation.
