I hold a PhD in Folklore and an MLS from Indiana University Bloomington, where I have served since 1997 as the subject librarian for Folklore, Anthropology, and Sociology. I curate the world’s largest library collection in folklore and ethnomusicology.
My service to AFS includes chairing the Publications Committee (2019–2023), leading the Electronic Publications Subcommittee (1999–2006), and serving as JAF Book Review Editor (2000–2004). Beyond AFS, I edited the Journal of Folklore Research (2006–2012) and contributed to the Open Folklore and Ethnographic Thesaurus initiatives.
AFS has honored my contributions with the McCulloh Award for Lifetime Service (2019) and election as an AFS Fellow (2021).
I’ve also served on the Executive Boards of the Human Relations Area Files and the International Society for Humor Studies, and as President of the Indiana Conference of the AAUP. At Indiana University, I’ve been deeply engaged in shared governance, including a term as Faculty President (2018–2019).
My research bridges folklore and humor studies. My monograph Practically Joking (2015) is the first book-length study of practical jokes. My scholarship explores humor, legend, and belief as vernacular truth-telling, examining how joking practices negotiate power, ethics, and belonging.
Statement of Candidacy:
AFS plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of folklorists and affirming the value of folklore in national and global conversations—especially when those values are under threat. In an era of mounting challenges to universities, scholarly societies, and cultural expertise, we must respond with clarity and conviction.
I bring decades of experience in academic governance and a steadfast commitment to defending academic freedom. It would be an honor to serve on the AFS Executive Board and help guide our field through these critical times.
