Human Biology Program

My academic route at IU has been wide-ranging and varied. My background is in English with a Ph.D. in Victorian literature and a specialization in the rhetoric and aesthetics of 19th-century British imperialism, though my teaching interests are much wider. Currently, I teach courses that address poverty, food politics, climate change and 21st-century globalization. What I enjoy so much about teaching in the Human Biology Program is the opportunity to design innovative, interdisciplinary courses that mix the scientific expertise of my colleagues with my own interests in public policy, history, and literature.

Prior to joining the HUBI faculty, I served as the community engagement coordinator for the Service-Learning program at IU and I have a strong commitment to experiential teaching and learning. Service-learning is both a pedagogical approach and a mode of civic engagement in which students serve in the community in order to enhance their in-class academic coursework. I am a big believer in service-learning because it helps students meet and understand people different from themselves and develop empathy for people who are vulnerable and struggling.