June 29, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Peter J. Bellis, Ph.D., is the new chairman of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of English. He succeeds Elaine Whitaker, Ph.D., who became chairwoman of the Georgia College and State University’s Department of English, Speech and Journalism.

Bellis was an associate professor at the University of Miami where he taught courses in American literature and American studies. His research has focused on depictions of city life in 18th and 19th century American literature and how urban spaces are shaped by economic and cultural forces.

Bellis earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Amherst College in 1977. He earned master’s degrees in English and American literature at the University of Texas at Austin and Johns Hopkins University in 1979 and 1981 respectively. In 1984 he earned his doctorate in English and American literature from Johns Hopkins University. Bellis joined the University of Miami faculty in 1984.