Janice Liedl

Biography

My scholarship literally spans centuries: from science fiction and fantasy media culture, through conventional history of sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century England. The classes that I teach touch on 5500 years of history from the Ancient Near East to modern Europe, with particular focus on early modern England. Consistent throughout is an interest in gender, texts and world-building, whether it involves eighteenth-century London paupers or the women of the Star Wars galaxy.

Research Interest

I research in two related streams: history and popular culture as well as the history of women in early modern England. Currently working with the records of the Old Bailey, London's chief criminal court, early books, archival sources and other civic history sources to document the lives and stories of London women and family in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Witchcraft, a crime closely connected to women, along with other historical themes such as politics and nobility, figure into studies involving popular culture series such as Star Wars, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and Twilight.