Matthew Schneider-Mayerson

Environmental humanities scholar Matthew Schneider-Mayerson combines the study of literature, sociology, and environmental studies. Internationally known as one of the creators of the emerging field of empirical ecocriticism, his research topics include the influence of environmental literature on readers, eco-reproductive concerns and choices, and apocalyptic energy subcultures. He
has recently gained national attention for co-developing with students the Climate Reality Check, a method for analyzing Hollywood films to determine whether climate change is present as a theme.

Schneider-Mayerson was hired as an associate professor without tenure in 2022 to help build Colby’s new concentration
in English: Literature and the Environment (ENLE) and to contribute to the College’s thriving environmental humanities initiative. Previously, he taught for seven years at Yale-NUS College, where he received tenure in 2021. After a brief probationary period, he has received tenure at Colby.

In his short time at Colby, he has taken on co-directing the ENLE concentration, joined the Environmental Advisory Group, and volunteered for the Faculty Coordinating Committee of the Center for the Arts and Humanities. He contributes to the new First-Year Journey Program and is a faculty-in-residence in the first-year residence halls, inviting students into his home for meals, snacks, and relaxation with his family and pets.

Schneider-Mayerson earned his Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Minnesota
and his B.A. from Yale University.