GREAT BARRINGTON, MA — Simon’s Rock Professor of Comparative Literature and Spanish
Mileta Roe recently published a chapter in the volume Literary Journalist as a Naturalist
by Palgrave Macmillan as part of their series “Studies in Literary Journalism.”
The chapter, “An Ecologist's Personal Investigation: Sandra Steingraber on Danger, Ecology, and Writing,” reflects on Dr. Sandra Steingraber, ecologist and science writer, who “embodies a form of scientific literary journalism that is racing to get our attention.” Roe’s chapter explores the connections between activism and environmental writing in Steingraber’s work.
“I first learned of Sandra Steingraber in March 2011, when she appeared at Simon’s Rock as the keynote speaker for an International Women’s Day Conference organized by my colleague Jennifer Browdy,” said Roe. “The McConnell theater was packed, and Steingraber's moving talk about her life and work prompted a unanimous standing ovation. I have been reading her books and articles ever since, inspired by her erudition, poetic voice, and integrity in writing about ecological topics of great importance.”
“In my own research, I continue to explore the art and efficacy of great nonfiction written on scientific and medical topics,” said Roe. “Recently, I have been writing an article that traces the effect and influence of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a book by another well-known science journalist, Rebecca Skloot.”