Rebecca Copeland, professor of Japanese language and literature, is retiring at the end of the spring 2026 semester, marking the close of a distinguished career at Washington University in St. Louis.
A leading scholar of modern Japanese women’s literature, Professor Copeland has profoundly shaped the field through her pioneering research, translations, and critical studies. Her work has brought international attention to writers whose voices might otherwise have remained unheard, and she has been instrumental in expanding and redefining the canon of modern Japanese literature. Through her scholarship and translations, she has made Japanese women’s writing accessible to generations of students.
During her many years at WashU, Professor Copeland has been an inspiring teacher, mentor, and colleague. She has guided countless undergraduate and graduate students, not only in the classroom but also through their own research and professional development. Her courses in modern Japanese literature and culture have been central to the department’s curriculum, and her leadership has helped build a vibrant community of scholars in East Asian studies on our campus.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Professor Copeland for her extraordinary contributions to the department, the university, and the broader academic community. We congratulate her on her retirement and celebrate her enduring legacy as a scholar, teacher, and leading voice for Japanese women’s literature.
