Karen joined Guilford's Department of Modern Language Studies in 2013. Her research focuses on modern and contemporary Latin American fiction. Her scholarly projects grow from the concept of “narrative activism,” investigating how authors mobilize literary technique to intervene in pressing social issues.

In dialogue with Indigenous studies, feminist theory, and narratology, Karen’s scholarship approaches the literary text itself as modeling transformative paradigms for a more just and inclusive world. Her current research analyzes representations of domestic employees in contemporary Peruvian fiction, uncovering how and why literary texts and films confer agency to members of this social group, whom sociologists and political scientists have described as experiencing unparalleled oppression due to an intersectional identity that often includes being female, poor, Indigenous, and rural. 

Karen’s students say she creates a supportive environment that also challenges them to grow. In the classroom, she emphasizes practice over perfection, providing daily opportunities for students to practice employing advanced vocabulary or interpreting complex textual passages, while emphasizing that all attempts — especially those that involve mistakes — are a valuable part of the learning process.

Her pedagogy builds on Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset, which describes challenging practice opportunities, followed by stumbles, followed by feedback and improved practice, as key to significant learning. Karen endeavors to create an immersive and vibrant classroom, a space where students can intentionally set aside the distractions of our tech-driven lives and engage in the deep thought that is the hallmark of higher education.