Today we profile one of our consulting editors, Dr. Laura Robinson. Next week, we'll be introducing our second consulting editor, Dr. Jean Mitchell, so stay tuned!

Our consulting editors bring a wealth of Montgomery expertise and publication experience to the journal. They have a close, active involvement with the journal; they offer advice, support, and third opinions when needed. We are lucky to have two consulting editors, Laura and Jean, with backgrounds in English literature and anthropology, respectively, who embody the interdisciplinary nature at the heart of the journal.

Laura Robinson needs little introduction in the L.M. Montgomery world. She is a beloved, active member of the community; a former L.M. Montgomery Institute Visiting scholar and current LMMI steering committee member, she has co-organized two LMMI conferences and has presented and published widely on gender, sexuality, and female friendship in Montgomery’s life, work, and legacy. Her SSHRC-funded traveling exhibit “The Canadian Home Front: L.M. Montgomery’s Reflections of the First World War” toured internationally between 2014 and 2018. Laura is now the Dean of Arts at her alma mater, Acadia University. 

The journal's editors are delighted that Laura is now in Nova Scotia (it's almost PEI!) and that we have the privilege of working so closely with her, as together we build the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies. 

You’re well known in L. M. Montgomery studies. What aspect of your relationship with Montgomery would members of the community probably not know about? 

Laura: I started my PhD thesis with a focus on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and looked at Anne of Green Gables as an interesting comparitor. Over the next several years and then for the rest of my academic career, however, Montgomery just completely took over my scholarly interests.

How would you describe your position as consulting editor? 

Laura: I see this as primarily a position of support to the editor and co-editor. I can offer perspective or advice, or step in if there is a conflict of interest for either editors.

What excites you about being a consulting editor/editorial board member with the journal? 

Laura: I am thrilled to be part of this journal, especially as it welcomes a range of different types of “publications.” That it is open access, peer-reviewed, and non-traditional (as well as traditional) fits perfectly with Montgomery’s world in my opinion. It is open to scholars, readers, enthusiasts alike, creating a truly non-hierarchical intellectual community. Montgomery would approve, I think.

What would like to see the journal contribute to L.M. Montgomery studies? 

Laura: I’d like the journal to be seen as the primary platform for Montgomery scholarship and innovations.

Where do you see L. M. Montgomery studies in 50 years? 

Laura: Where don’t I see it? It is branching out exponentially by looking at science, medicine, photography, and so on. I believe it will become similar to Shakespeare Studies—a literary discipline but with multidisciplinary range and impact.

And just for fun: which food or drink in the Montgomery Universe would you most like to try?

Laura: Raspberry Cordial (the actual raspberry cordial)!

How about the best animal in Montgomery's Universe? 

Laura: Daffy.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been when reading a Montgomery novel? Which novel was it?

Laura: Rilla of Ingleside in St. Lucia.

Which work of Montgomery’s would you most like to see adapted and what format would you like to see it adapted to? 

Laura: The Blue Castle as a psychological horror film.

Acknowledgement: Banner photo supplied by Dr. Laura Robinson.