Laurie Johnson, Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures, will be joining the SLCL administrative team as Interim Associate Director (2020-21).

Professor Johnson is an expert on eighteenth- through twenty-first-century German intellectual history, literature, psychology, philosophy, and visual studies. Her work engages intellectual history in order to make connections across eras and disciplines, a position she has developed in three books and numerous articles and essays.

Her exceptional research profile has been recognized with the Helen Corley Petit Scholar award from the University of Illinois, and with grants from the Fulbright and Humboldt foundations, as well as from the German Academic Exchange Service.

Aside from her research and teaching qualifications, Professor Johnson brings to the position extensive administrative experience. At the departmental level, she has served as Acting Head, Director of Graduate Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies, among many other roles. At the College and campus level, Johnson was chair of the LAS Working Group on Enhancing the Student Experience and a member of the Working Group on Undergraduate Research in the Humanities (OUR/HRI).

She is particularly knowledgeable about, and interested in, undergraduate education, having served on the campus General Education Board, the College General Education Committee, and the College Policy and Development Committee, among many others.

She has coached faculty around the country for the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity's Faculty Success Program, and has worked with the Provost’s office on different initiatives related to faculty development. She has been a consistent advocate for the Humanities’ role, and as such she was chosen to be a member of the Steering Committee on Public Engagement in the Humanities (HRI).

Additionally, she is a productive and engaged member of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics (SLCL), which she has served as a member of the Executive Committee and the Faculty Appeals Committee.

“I am delighted to be able to count on Laurie’s professional expertise and vision at a time of unprecedented challenges and when we are engaged in significant new initiatives and orientations for our School,” said Elena Delgado, Professor of Spanish and Portuguese and Director of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics. “She is a collegial and collaborative colleague, and I am sure she will be an important asset for SLCL.”