Dr. Lee Okan

Ph.D. | M.F.A.

 

EDUCATION

Aberystwyth University

Ph.D. in Creative Writing, 2023

Advisors: Dr. Luke Thurston and Professor Jacqueline Yallop, Department of English and Creative Writing

Thesis Title: “A Life is Everywhere”: Suicide, Immanence, and Representation in Narrative

The critical commentary uses immanence, applying philosophies of Henri Bergson, Gilles Deleuze, and Giorgio Agamben, to examine suicide representation in literature, including modernist works like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. This commentary aligns with my novel, Talitha Koum, which employs free indirect discourse to investigate immanence, suicide, and post-trauma meaning-making.

 Lesley University

M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Translation, 2015

Advisor: Tony Eprile, Department of Creative Writing

Thesis Title: The Meaning of Truculence: Translating Clarice Lispector

The dissertation is a comparative study and critical commentary of the various English translations of Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector’s Uma Aprendizagem ou O Livro dos Prazeres (or, An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures) (1969).  

 Simmons University

B.A. in English, American, and French Literature, 2011

 

RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS

  • Areas of research: creative writing; women’s literature; modernist literature; trauma studies; visual literacy; graphic narratives; children’s literature; literary translation; media studies and visual communication.

  • Teaching interests: creative writing; women’s literature; modernist literature; graphic narratives; children’s literature; creative writing; rhetoric and research; the intersection of literature, creative writing, and rhetoric; pedagogy of writing and fiction; literary translation; visual literacy/rhetoric; media studies and visual communication.

 PUBLICATIONS

I. Creative Publications – Novella

Okan, L. (2018). The Lives of Atoms. Boston: Nixes Mate.

II. Creative Publications — Short Stories

Okan, L. (2017). “Mermaids of the Charles River.” Anthology. Nixes Mate, 2016-2017. Boston: Nixes Mate.

Okan, L. (2017). “Mermaids of the Charles River.” Nixes Mate Review, Issue 2, Winter 2017. http://nixesmate.pub/mermaids-of-the-charles-river/

Okan, L. (2017). “Mermaids of the Charles River.” [Digital Narrative]. http://www.vousenprie.com

 III. Scholarly Research

Okan, L. (forthcoming). Violence Against Women in Comics: Illustrating Resilience. Landham: Lexington Books. 

IV. Chapters in Collections / Peer Reviewed Articles

Okan, L. (forthcoming). Literary Rationality in Woolf’s Writing. In Benjamin Hagan and Taya Jean Sazama (Eds.), Virginia Woolf: Professions and Performance. Vermillion: University of South Dakota Press.

Okan, L. (forthcoming). Exploring Narratives of Trauma and Memory in the Graphic Novel. In J. Tronsgard (Ed.), Comics and Catharsis. Oxford: University of Mississippi.

Okan, L. (2020). The New Adult: A Media Comparison of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. In Pamela Hollander (Ed.), Gen X at Middle Age in Popular Culture. Landham: Lexington Books.

Okan, L. (2019). Representation of Turkey in American Media: Bias and Perceptions. In Z. A. Kisman (Ed.), Turkey in International Arena: Political and Economic Relations. Romania: Arad, Editura Universitatii Aurel Vlaicu.

Okan, L. (2018). Using graphic novels to illustrate empathy. In D. M. Baylen (Ed.), Dreams and Inspirations: The Book of Selected Readings (p. 34-44). Carrollton, GA: International Visual Literacy Association.

V. Editor / Co-Editor Publications

J. Lee, W. Huang, X. Chen, F. Rodrigues, L. Okan, S. Beene, C. Huilcapi-Collantes (Eds.), Connecting & Sharing: The Book of Selected Readings 2023. International Visual Literacy Association, https://doi.org/10.52917/ivlatbsr.2023.001.

J. Lee, W. Huang, X. Chen, F. Rodrigues, L. Okan, S. Beene, (Eds.), Seeing Across the Disciplines: The Book of Selected Readings 2022. International Visual Literacy Association, https://ivla.org/category/publications/ivla-book-of-selected-readings-publications/2022-seeing-across-disciplines/. 

VI. Non-Academic Publications

Okan, L. (2018). UX Education: The Rise of Educational Programs. UXPA Magazine, 18.5. http://uxpamagazine.org/ux-education-2/

Okan, L. (2011). Fashion and Les Incroyables: Studies in 18th Century Subculture. Papercut Magazine. https://issuu.com/papercutmag/docs/papercutmag_september_2011

SELECTED PAPERS PRESENTED

  • Jun 2023 — “Understanding Virginia Woolf’s Orlando through Henri Bergson,” The Virginia Woolf Studies Initiative in Turkey

  • Jun 2022 — “The Ethics of Suicide in Woolf’s Writing,” 31st Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf

  • Jun 2021  —  “Literary Rationality in Woolf’s Writing,” 30th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf

  • Jan 2021 — “Catharsis and Sexual Trauma,” Modern Language Association, Toronto

  • Nov 2018. — “Illustrating Empathy with Graphic Novels,” International Visual Literacy Association, Chicago

  • Sep 2018 —  “Animated Short Stories, Re-Imagining the Literacy Experience,” International Visual Literacy Association, Lesley University, Boston

  • Jun 2018  —  “Lesley Writing Alumni: On Publishing after the MFA,” Lesley University Creative Writing Residency, Boston

  • Apr 2017  —  “Exploring Identity and Language in the Journals of Anaïs Nin,” Language, Literatures, and Cultures Conference, University of Kentucky, Lexington

  • Apr 2015  —    “Risk and Pursuit of Knowledge,” Jiangsu University of Technology, China

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • 2022               Dylan Thomas Writing Retreat, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

  • 2018                Nomination, the Massachusetts Book Awards 

  • 2008               Nancy Lynn Schwartz Award, Fiction, Sarah Lawrence College

FUNDING 

  • 2022                       Professional Development Fund, Modern Languages Association

  • 2022                       Professional Development Fund for Traveling and Research, Lesley University

  • 2020                      Graduate Travel Grant, Modern Language Association

  • 2018 - 2020, 2022        Professional Development Fund for Traveling and Research, Northeastern University

  •  2018                            Professional Development Fund for Traveling and Research, Simmons University

  •  2010                            NYC Institute Arts Administration Awards for Travel Studies, Simmons University

  •  2010                            Bowker Grant for Travel Studies, Simmons University

SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION

  • Jan 2023                      Visual Literacy and Graphic Narratives, Faculty Development Training (Presenter), Lesley University

  • 2019 – present             Assistant Editor, The Book of Selected Readings, International Visual Literacy Association

  • May 2022 – present    Visual Literacy/Literature Curriculum Development Committee, Lesley University

  •  Jun 2021                      Panel Moderator, 30th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf

  •  Mar 2021                     ENG112: College Writing II Advisory Committee, Bunker Hill Community College

  •  Sep 2020                    Community of Practice: Integrating Reading and Writing, Bunker Hill Community College

  • Aug 2020 - present      Writing Placement Examiner, Framingham State University

  • Jun 2020 - 2021           Reading and Writing Studio Development Committee, Cambridge College

  • Apr 2019                     ENG112: College Writing II Textbook Review Committee, Bunker Hill Community College

  • May 2018                     2021 Conference Planning Committee, International Visual Literacy Association

  • May 2015                     Teaching and Learning Center Teaching Efficacy Program, Lingnan University

  • May 2014 - 2018          Tutor, Literacy Project, Cambridge Public Library

READINGS

  • Jan 2021                      Book Launch and Reading, Gen X at Middle Age in Popular Culture, Worcester, MA

  • Dec 2020                    Solidary Salon, Somerville, MA

  • May 2020                   Framingham State University Faculty Reading  

  • May 2018                    Solidarity Salon, Arts at the Armory Cafe, Somerville, MA

  • Apr 2018                     Book Launch and Reading, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

  • Feb 2013                     Lesley University Graduate Reading, Cambridge, MA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Current Positions

Lesley University, Adjunct Professor

  • Jan 2021 - present

  • Number of sections: 7

Endicott College, Adjunct Professor

  • Jan 2021 - present

  • Number of sections: 7

Framingham State University, Adjunct Professor

  • Sep 2019 - present

  • Number of sections: 11

Bunker Hill Community College, Adjunct Professor

  • Jan 2019 - present

  • Number of sections: 14

Simmons University, Adjunct Professor

  • Sep 2018 - present

  • Number of sections: 4

 Past Positions

Northeastern University, Adjunct Professor

  • Sep 2018 - 2021

  • Number of sections: 12

Suffolk University, Adjunct Professor

  • 2021

  • Number of sections: 2

Dean College, Adjunct Professor

  • Sep 2020 – May 2021

  • Number of sections: 4

University of Massachusetts - Lowell, Adjunct Professor

  • 2019

  • Number of sections: 1

 Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Graphic Narrative

  • Select Topics in Graphic Narrative and Comics

  • Introduction to Children’s Literature I

  • Introduction to Children’s Literature II

  • Creative Writing Workshop

  • Studies in Literary Translation

  • Introduction to Short Stories

  • Word and Image Literary Studies

  • Introduction to Visual and Media Studies

  • Introduction to Media Studies

  • Introduction to Speech

    Introduction to American Studies

  • Composition I

  • Composition II

  • Principles of Reading and Writing

  • Reading for Engineering, Math, and Science

  • Writing for Graduate School

  • Research and Writing for Graduate School

  • Advanced Reading for Graduate School

 *Detailed course descriptions and/or syllabi available upon request.

 TEACHING EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION

  • Metrowest’s College Planning Collaborative (CPC), Instructor, Jun 2021 – present

  • Education First, Instructor, Apr 2019 - Sep 2020

  •  Cambridge Public Library, Literacy Project, Volunteer Instructor, May 2014 - Mar 2017

  • Lycée Joliot-Curie, Teaching Program in France (TAPIF), Language Assistant, Sep 2016 - Dec 2016

  • Brookline Adult Center for Education, Instructor, Jan 2013 - May 2014

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Educational Sponsored Projects, Instructor, May 2011 - May 2014

  • Lycée Max-Linder, Teaching Program in France (TAPIF), Language Assistant, Sep 2011 - May 2012

TUTORING AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE

Cambridge College, Charlestown, MA

Academic Success Center, Tutor, Apr 2019 - 2022

At the Tutoring Center, I designed writing and research workshops, developed a tiered curriculum for literacy-challenged students, initiated the center's first website, and compiled resources for student-tutor use.

Freelance, Boston, MA

Tutor, Jan 2013 – Sep 2019

I freelanced as a tutor, working with young adults and adults, students and professionals, native speakers and language learners. I would curate lessons to fit each individuals’ needs. Lessons were one-on-one; I met with students for both short-term and long-terms services.

 Macmillan Learning, Boston, MA

Intern Mentor, Jun 2017 - Sep 2018

 At Macmillan, I recruited and mentored editorial interns, arranging educational opportunities in the publishing industry. My supervision led to two interns securing roles within Macmillan Learning, one entering a graduate editorial studies program, and another finding a writing position outside publishing.

 Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Center for Academic Achievement, Tutor, Jan - May 2014

 I guided graduate students in developing their writing and research, study skills, and time management. Lessons were one-on-one; I met with students for both short-term and long-terms services.

Promising Pals, Roxbury, MA

James P. Timilty Middle School, Pen Pal, Oct 2015 – May 2018

 Through Simmons University, I participated in the Promising Pals program at the James P. Timilty School in Boston. This program facilitated letter exchanges and meetings with middle school students, concluding with a school-hosted breakfast event. I mentored three students during my involvement.

 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Macmillan Learning, Editor, Jun 2015 – Sep 2018

I managed, proofread, and copyedited 7-10 STEM digital textbooks, determined curriculum development, and curated their digital media components. I also spearheaded user experience research and market development projects and directed comprehensive reports on student and professor digital textbook usage and impact.

Guillemets Editing, Freelance Editor, Jun 2013 - 2019

I was the sole proprietor of Guillemets Editing. Proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing. Specialty in areas of fiction, nonfiction, and creative nonfiction. Consultant for editorial training, coaching, and writing development. Over the span of 6 years, I worked with 25-30 clients.

CERTIFICATES

  • User Experience Design, General Assembly, 2018

  •  Copyediting, Emerson College, 2017

MEMBERSHIPS

  • International Virginia Woolf Society (IVWS)

  • Modern Language Association (MLA)

  • International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA)

  • Amis de Bergson Society

  • Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers (ALSCW)

  • Association of Writers and Poets (AWP)

 LANGUAGES

  • French, advanced intermediate

  • Turkish, beginner/intermediate

  • Spanish, beginner

REFERENCES

References available upon request.