Kristin L. Matthews

Kristin L. Matthews is a BYU associate professor of English and the American Studies Program coordinator, teaching courses in American literature and culture. She specializes in 20th-century literature and culture, particularly Cold War fiction and film. Her sub-specialty is 20th-century African-American literature.

Professor Matthews received her BA in English from BYU in 1995 and her PhD in American literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2004. Her work has appeared in journals such as American Studies, Arizona Quarterly, Modern Drama, Journal of American Culture, Journal of Popular Culture, and CEA: Critic. She is currently working on a book project examining the politics of reading in Cold War American literature and culture.

Professor Matthews has received the American Studies Professor of the Year Award (2007), the English Department Teaching Award (2008), an Albert J. Colton Fellowship from the Utah Humanities Council (2010), the Faculty Women’s Association Teaching Award (2012), and an Alcuin Fellowship from BYU (2013).

When not at work, Professor Matthews can be found reading a book, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, hiking in the mountains, playing the piano, or singing with a jazz combo.