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Lena Khor, an associate professor of English at Lawrence University, has been enlightening students with her expertise in literature since 2009. With a particular focus on 20th and 21st-century postcolonial and global anglophone literature, Khor's research interests lie in the areas of human rights, humanitarianism, and environmentalism.

Khor's scholarly contributions include her book "Human Rights Discourse in a Global Network," published by Routledge in 2013. Her work has also found its way into esteemed publications such as Human Rights Quarterly, South Central Review, and Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Khor has spearheaded interdisciplinary projects that involve guiding Lawrence students in creating documentaries that explore the intersections of literature and human rights. As part of the English faculty, she also teaches within the interdisciplinary ethnic studies program and global studies program.

Born in Penang, Malaysia, Khor earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College.

When asked about what she wants every student coming into her classes to know about her, Khor stated: "I am always interested to hear from you—what you think about the reading, how you feel about the questions we explore in discussion, and why you think and feel as you do."

Khor finds excitement in creating new things - be it developing a new research project or designing a new course. She shared that she started her career studying contemporary literature written in English from former British colonies but recently developed an interest in children’s literature - a surprising yet pleasant shift for her.

If not teaching for a living, Khor joked that she would love to be independently wealthy so she could spend time exploring things just for fun. When asked about her favorite spot on campus, she named her office and the LU library due to its combination of books, comfortable chairs, and the sense of being surrounded by a community of thinkers, writers, and readers.

In terms of personal favorites, Khor recommended the book "There Must Be More Than That" (2020) by Shinsuke Yoshitake, the documentary film "The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness" (2014) by Mami Sunada, and the soundtrack "Amandla: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony" (2003) by Lee Hirsch.