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Scott Newstok
How to Think like Shakespeare
Scott Newstok is a prominent academic and educator serving as a Professor of English at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He has recently been appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of the Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities, a new initiative aimed at fostering humanistic inquiry among faculty, students, and the community.14
Education and Career Background
Newstok earned his Ph.D. in English and American Language and Literature from Harvard University in 2002. Prior to his tenure at Rhodes College, which began in 2007, he taught at several institutions, including Oberlin College, Amherst College, and Gustavus Adolphus College. He was also a Mellon post-doctoral fellow at Yale University Library’s Special Collections.135
Scholarly Contributions
Newstok is widely recognized for his work in humanities education. His book, How to Think Like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education, published by Princeton University Press in 2020, received acclaim and was named a Book of the Year by the Times Literary Supplement. The book reflects on the value of Renaissance education and its relevance today.23 He is also involved in editing works on Michel de Montaigne’s essays on education and researching the cultural technique of "close reading" alongside scholar John Guillory.13
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Newstok has received numerous accolades for his teaching and research, including the Clarence Day Awards for Outstanding Teaching (2016) and Outstanding Research/Creative Activity (2021) at Rhodes College.13 His scholarship has garnered support from prestigious organizations like the Fulbright Program and the National Endowment for the Humanities.13
Community Engagement
In addition to his academic responsibilities, Newstok actively participates in community outreach through various educational programs, including those aimed at incarcerated individuals. He has also served on boards for local institutions and as a trustee of Humanities Tennessee.13
Scott Newstok's work emphasizes the importance of humanities in education and aims to inspire both students and the broader community through interdisciplinary approaches to learning.


