Draft:Richard Scott Nokes

Nokes earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Butler University in 1992. Following his undergraduate studies, he taught English as a second language in South Korea. Nokes earned his Ph.D. at Wayne State University in 2003, the same year he joined the English Department at Troy University.{{Cite web |title=English Faculty {{!}} Troy University |url=https://www.troy.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-communication-fine-arts/departments/english/faculty.html |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.troy.edu |language=en}}

In 1993, Nokes established the American Studies Program at Klaipėda University in Lithuania and taught Canadian literature at Lithuania Christian College.

In 2003, Nokes was a Fulbright-Hays scholar, conducting research on the Maya epic in Guatemala.

He was also a regional finalist for the President's Commission on White House Fellowships in 2007.{{Cite web |title=Press Release - The White House Announces Regional Finalists for the 2007-2008 White House Fellowships {{!}} The American Presidency Project |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-the-white-house-announces-regional-finalists-for-the-2007-2008-white-house |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu}}

In 2011, Nokes founded Witan Publishing, which focuses on producing peer-reviewed academic works in advancing medieval scholarship.

In Winter 2015-16, Nokes is associated with The Independent Institute, where he authored a review titled "The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot" in The Independent Review.{{Cite web |title=Richard Scott Nokes |url=https://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=3799&utm |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=The Independent Institute}}

Nokes has an extensive publication record, including numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books. He is also the author of three works of fiction:

A compelling fantasy novel that combines elements of medieval lore with a suspenseful narrative, showcasing his deep knowledge of historical literature.

A creative and satirical take on the zombie apocalypse genre, blending humor and horror with a unique perspective on societal themes. His fiction reflects his ability to blend scholarly expertise with engaging storytelling, appealing to both academic and popular audiences.

A collection of essays examines that examines the representation of Beowulf in modern visual media since 1940s.{{Cite book |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2023 |title=Beowulf in Comic Books and Graphic Novels - McFarland |url=https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/beowulf-in-comic-books-and-graphic-novels/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=mcfarlandbooks.com |publisher=McFarland |language=en-US |isbn=978-1-4766-8778-0}}

In addition to his scholarly work, Dr. Nokes maintained a blog titled "[https://unlocked-wordhoard.blogspot.com/ Unlocked Wordhoard]," where he shares insights into medieval literature and related topics.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=May 2008 |title=Valuing Anglo-Saxon Studies |url=https://jemne.org/issues/11/foruma.php |journal=The Heroic Age |issue=11}}{{Cite journal |last=Ellard |first=Donna B. |date=2013 |title=Ekphrastic Beowulf: Defying Death and Staying Alive in the Academy |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/jj.2353921.11 |journal=Staying Alive: A Survival Manual for the Liberal Arts |publisher=Punctum Books |pages=263–286 |via=JSTOR}}

Nokes is widely recognized for his online persona as "Professor Awesome."{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=Professor Awesome and the Minions of Doom |url=https://www.profawesome.com |access-date=2025-03-14 |language=en-US}}{{primary source inline}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.buzzsprout.com/737459/episodes/2220371-dr-richard-nokes-professor-awesome-and-zombies?t=0 |title=Dr. Richard Nokes: Professor Awesome, and Zombies - The Bean Pot |date=2019-11-27 |language=en |access-date=2025-04-08 |via=www.buzzsprout.com}} Through his blog, [https://www.profawesome.com/ Professor Awesome and the Minions of Doom], he engaged students with discussions on medieval literature, popular art culture, and folklore to promote academic accessibility and entertainment.

In recent years, Nokes has engaged with the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and business. As the Director of Troy University's AI Forward Initiative, he has addressed both the benefits and limitations of AI technologies.{{Cite web |last=Bowers |first=Whitney |date=2024-11-05 |title=TROY, BBB to host business summit on Artificial Intelligence |url=https://today.troy.edu/news/troy-bbb-to-host-business-summit-on-artificial-intelligence/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Troy Today |language=en-US}}

In November 2024, he organized a summit in partnership with the [https://www.bbb.org/local/0743/bbb-education-foundation Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation] to discuss the ethical challenges businesses face with AI. He has shared his insights through various media platforms and has been featured on [https://www.troy.edu/student-life-resources/campus-media/troy-trojanvision/index.html Troy Trojan Vision] discussing his research and perspectives on AI.

• Nokes, R. S. (2024). "Global Perspectives on Early Medieval England." Speculum, 99 (2).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=April 2024 |title=Karen Louise Jolly and Britton Elliott Brooks, eds., Global Perspectives on Early Medieval England |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/spc/2024/99/2 |journal=Speculum |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |volume=99 |issue=2 |pages=587–588|doi=10.1086/729789 }}
• Becker, A., & Nokes, R. S. (2023). The King's Gift Box: The Runic Casket of Auzon. [https://witanpublishing.com/ Witan Publishing].{{Cite book |title=Witan Publishing |url=https://witanpublishing.com/#titles |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Witan Publishing |language=en |isbn=9798354247431 |last1=Becker |first1=Alfred |date=2023 |publisher=Witan }}
• Muhlberger, S., & Nokes, R. S. (2022). The Battle at the Halfway Oak and the Spanish Count (R. S. Nokes, Ed.).
• Nokes, R. S. (2023). Beowulf in Comic Books and Graphic Novels. McFarland Press.
• Nokes, R. S. (2020). "Emily Kesling, Medical Texts in Anglo-Saxon Literary Culture." Speculum, 96 (2).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=April 2021 |title=Emily Kesling, Medical Texts in Anglo-Saxon Literary Culture |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/spc/2021/96/2 |journal=Speculum |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |volume=96 |issue=2 |pages=521–522|doi=10.1086/713412 }}
• Nokes, R. S. (2020). "The Baron of Barons: The Battle of Brunanburh: The Poem." Medieval Warfare, 10(3), 36–39.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2020 |title=The Baron of Barons: The Battle of Brunanburh: The Poem |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48714177 |journal=Medieval Warfare |publisher=Karwansaray BV |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=36–39 |jstor=48714177 |issn=2211-5129 |via=JSTOR}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2020). The Student's Guide to Digital Publishing.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Greg |date=2020-06-11 |title=English class publishes its own digital textbook |url=https://today.troy.edu/news/english-class-publishes-its-own-digital-textbook/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Troy Today |language=en-US}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2019). "The Rationality of Medieval Leechbooks." In P. Adamson (Ed.), Health: A History. Oxford Philosophical Concepts. Oxford University Press.
• (Pseudonym), P. A. P. (2019). From A to Zombie.
• Nokes, R. S. (2019, August). Pop Medieval Podcast.{{Cite web |title=Pop Medieval |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-medieval/id1481014587 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2018). "Medieval Science Fiction." Journal of English and Germanic Philology, 117(4).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard |date=October 2018 |title=Medieval Science Fiction by Carl Kears, James Paz |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jenglgermphil.117.issue-4 |journal=The Journal of English and Germanic Philology |publisher=University of Illinois Press |volume=117 |issue=4 |pages=528–531 |doi=10.5406/jenglgermphil.117.issue-4 |doi-broken-date=15 April 2025 |issn=0363-6941 |via=JSTOR}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2017). "Review of King Arthur: The Mystery Unravelled, by C. Barber." Medieval Warfare, 7 (2), 56–57.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2017 |title=Review of King Arthur: The Mystery Unravelled, by C. Barber |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48578167 |journal=Medieval Warfare |publisher=Karwansaray BV |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=56–57 |jstor=48578167 |issn=2211-5129 |via=JSTOR}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2015). "Beowulf on Film: Adaptations and Variations." Speculum, 90 (4).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=October 2015 |title=Haydock, Nickolas; and Risden, E. L., Beowulf on Film: Adaptations and Variations |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/spc/2015/90/4 |journal=Speculum |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |volume=90 |issue=4 |pages=1119–1121|doi=10.1017/S0038713415002298 }}
• Nokes, R. S. (Winter 2015-2016). The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom that Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot. The Independent Review.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=Winter 2015–16 |title=The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom that Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot |url=https://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?id=1094 |journal=The Independent Review |volume=20 |issue=3 |via=The Independent Institute}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2009). “Michael Jackson and Saint Guinefort." First Things.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=June 29, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson and Saint Guinefort |url=https://firstthings.com/michael-jackson-and-saint-guinefort/ |journal=First Things |publisher=The Institute on Religion and Public Life}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2009). “Valuing Anglo-Saxon Studies.” The Heroic Age, 11.
• Nokes, R. S. (2008). “Beowulf: Prince of the Geats, Nazis, and Odinists.” Old English Newsletter, 41 (3). (2009): 26-32.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2009 |title=Beowulf: Prince of the Geats, Nazis, and Odinists |url=https://www.oenewsletter.org/OEN/print.php/essays/nokes41_3/Array |journal=The Old English Newsletter |publisher=Old English Division of the Modern Language Association of America |publication-place=The University of Massachusetts, Amherst |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=26–32}}{{Cite web |last=Medievalists.net |date=2009-07-31 |title=Beowulf: Prince of the Geats, Nazis, and Odinists |url=https://www.medievalists.net/2009/07/beowulf-prince-of-the-geats-nazis-and-odinists/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Medievalists.net |language=en-US}}
• Robertson, B. P., Cooper, S., Curnutt, K. L., Glover, A. D., Kaylor, N. H., Nokes, R. S., & Thompson, W. B. (2007). Themes of Conflict in the Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Literature of the American South: The Proceedings from the 2004 Conflict in Southern Writing Conference (K. C. Ben P. Robertson Stephen Cooper, Ed.). Edwin Mellen Press.{{Cite book |last1=Robertson |first1=Ben P. |title=Themes of Conflict in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Literature of the American South |last2=Curnutt |first2=Kurt |last3=Glover |first3=Albert D. |last4=Kaylor |first4=Nole H. |last5=Nokes |first5=Richard S. |last6=Thompson |first6=William B. |date=2007 |publisher=Edwin Meller Press |isbn=978-0-7734-5375-3}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2007). “A Chainsaw-Wielding Yankee in King Arthur’s Demonic Court.” Coyote Wild Magazine. 1 (4). Absolute Write.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |year=2007 |title=A Chainsaw-Wielding Yankee in King Arthur's Demonic Court |url=https://coyotewildmag.com/autumn2007/chainsaw_nokes.html |journal=Coyote Wild Magazine |publisher=Absolute Write Publication |volume=1 |issue=4 }}
• Nokes, R. S. (2007). “Medievalists without Boarders,” Medieval English Studies, 15 (1). (2007): 15-29. {{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2007 |title=Medievalists without Borders |url=https://www.medievalists.net/2010/01/medievalists-without-borders/ |journal=Medieval and Early Modern English Studies |volume=15 |issue=1 |issn=1229-0394 |via=Medievalists.net}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2007). “Global Literature, Medieval Literature, and the Popol Vuh.” Global Perspectives on Medieval English Literature and Culture. Kalamazoo: Medieval Institute Publications.{{Cite web |title=RI OPAC: Authors |url=https://opac.regesta-imperii.de/lang_en/autoren.php?name=Nokes,+Richard+Scott |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=opac.regesta-imperii.de |language=de}}{{Cite book |last1=Kaylor |first1=Noel H. |url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/catalog/9910083966902121 |title=Global perspectives on medieval English literature, language, and culture |last2=Nokes |first2=Richard S. |publisher=Medieval Institute Publications |year=2007 |isbn=9781580441209 |location=Kalamazoo, MI}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2006). "Health and Medicine." The JRR Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment/List of Articles |url=https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/J.R.R._Tolkien_Encyclopedia:_Scholarship_and_Critical_Assessment/List_of_Articles |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Tolkien Gateway |language=en}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2005). “The Several Compliers of Bald’s Leechbook.” Anglo-Saxon England. 33.{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=March 8, 2005 |title=The several compilers of Bald's Leechbook |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/anglo-saxon-england/article/abs/several-compilers-of-balds-leechbook/498A1BC16BB07C5216BC75F785B0304D |journal=Anglo-Saxon England |publisher=Cambridge University Press |volume=33 |pages=51–76 |doi=10.1017/S0263675104000031 |issn=0263-6751}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2004). “Borroughs Wellcome & Co., the American Medical Association and Anglo-Saxon Leechcraft: Popular Study of Anglo-Saxon Remedies in the Early Twentieth Century.” Old English Newsletter, 37(3).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2004 |title=Borroughs Wellcome & Co., the American Medical Association and Anglo-Saxon Leechcraft: Popular Study of Anglo-Saxon Remedies in the Early Twentieth Century |url=https://www.oenewsletter.org/OEN/print.php/essays/nokes37_3/Array |journal=The Old English Newsletter |publisher=The Old English Division of the Modern Language Association of America |publication-place=The University of Massachusetts, Amherst |volume=37 |issue=3 |issn=0030-1973}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2004). “Kingship in Alfred’s Meters of Boethius.” [https://www.jstor.org/journal/carmphil Carmina Philosophiae], 13.{{Cite journal |last1=Nokes |first1=Richard S. |last2=Swaim |first2=Paige K. |date=2004 |title=Kingship in Alfred's 'Meters of Boethius |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44078563 |journal=Carmina Philosophiae |publisher=Lubbock Christian University and Troy University |volume=13 |pages=61–74 |jstor=44078563 |issn=1075-4407 |via=JSTOR}}
• Nokes, R. S. (2004). “Teaching Grendel as a Villain in a Post-Modern Age.” Alabama English. 14.
• Nokes, R. S. (2002). “The Old English Charms and King Alfred’s Court.” Medieval English Studies. 10 (1).{{Cite journal |last=Nokes |first=Richard S. |date=2002 |title=The Old English Charms and King Alfred's Court |url=https://www.medievalists.net/2010/01/the-old-english-charms-and-king-alfreds-court/ |journal=Medieval English Studies |volume=10 |issue=1 |via=Medievalists.net}}

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