Michele Navakas

Dr. Michele Navakas is a distinguished Professor and Co-Director of the Literature Program at Miami University, where she is an integral part of both the English department and the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability. Her academic journey is marked by a profound dedication to the study of American literature up to the year 1900, the environmental humanities, and the intricate intersections of race and material culture. Dr. Navakas has made significant contributions to the field through her scholarly publications. Her book "Coral Lives: Literature, Labor, and the Making of America" delves into the complex narratives that shaped early American society, while "Liquid Landscape: Geography and Settlement at the Edge of Early America" has been recognized with awards from the Florida Historical Society, underscoring its impact and scholarly merit. Currently, Dr. Navakas is engaged in an exciting new book project titled "Rachel Carson Reading," which promises to further explore the dynamic relationship between literature and environmental thought. Her research continues to push the boundaries of how we understand the cultural and ecological narratives of the past. In the classroom, Dr. Navakas is known for her engaging and thought-provoking courses, which cover a wide range of topics including American literature, literature and the environment, and advanced composition. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and the exploration of diverse perspectives, fostering a rich learning environment for her students. Dr. Navakas completed her Ph.D. in English at the University of California, Irvine in 2009, where she honed her expertise and developed a keen interest in the environmental and cultural dimensions of literature. Her academic career is characterized by a commitment to interdisciplinary research and a passion for uncovering the stories that shape our understanding of the world.